Drew Pierce Conner

Notes:

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JDT5-JMN
name: Warner Conner
death date: 16 Aug 1948
death place: Bronson, Sabine, Texas
gender: Male
race: White
death age: 69 years 10 months 19 days
estimated birth date:
birth date: 29 Sep 1878
birthplace: Sabine Co., Texas
marital status: Married
spouse's name:
father's name: Fed Conner
father's birthplace: Sabine Co., Texas
mother's name: Nancy Travis
mother's birthplace: Sabine Co., Texas
occupation: Labor Saw Mill
place of residence: Bronson, Sabine, Texas
cemetery: S... Hill Cemetery
burial place: Texas
burial date: 17 Aug 1948
additional relatives:
film number: 2218964
digital film number: 4031447
image number: 3374
reference number: cn36465
Collection: "Texas, Deaths, 1890-1976," Warner Conner, 1948

(Research):

Census Listings:

1910 Census
Texas, Sabine County, JP 1
Enumerated 27 Apr 1910
SD 2 ED 131 Sheet 8B
137-139
Conner, Warner Head M W 31 M2 Tx Tx Tx Farmer
Conner, Florence E Wf F W 19 m1 Tx Tn Tx
Conner, Drew Son M W 6 S Tx Tx Tx
Conner, Bertis E Son M W 4 S Tx Tx Tx
Whittlesey, Edward hiredhand 18 S Tx Tx Tx Laborer General Farm

1920 Census
Texas, Sabine County, JP One
Enumerated 15 Jan 1920
SD 326 ED 168 Sheet 16B
329-347
Conner, Warner Head M W 42 m Tx La Tx Hauling General Hauling
Conner, Elizabeth F Wf F W 29 M Tx Tn Tx
Conner, Drew P Son M W 17 S Tx Tx Tx Hauling General Hauling
Conner, Bertis E Son M W 14 S Tx Tx Tx
Conner, Lessie M Dtr F W 8 S Tx Tx Tx
Conner, William C Son M W 7 S Tx Tx Tx
Conner, Pearlie M Dtr F W 5 S Tx Tx Tx
Conner, William B Son M W 2 11/12 S Tx Tx Tx

1930 Census
Texas, Jasper County, Jasper
Enumerated 18 April 1930
ED 121-3 SD 19 Sheet 8A Stamped 148
Main Street
158-175
Conner, Warner Head M W 54 M 33 Tx Tx Tx Laborer SawMill
Conner, Florence Wf F W 29 M 19 Tx Tx Tx
Conner, Lessie Mae Dtr F W 19 S Tx Tx Tx
Conner, Clifford Son M W 17 S Tx Tx Tx
Conner, PearleyMae Dtr F W 15S Tx Tx Tx
Conner, Riley Son M W 13 S Tx Tx Tx
Conner, Vivian Dtr F W 10 S Tx Tx Tx
Conner, C. W. Son M W 7 S Tx Tx Tx
Conner, Robert Earl M W 4 S Tx Tx Tx
Conner, Hollis Son m W 1 S Tx Tx Tx

Warner married Maud Alice Easley on 4 Aug 1898 in Sabine County, Texas. Maud (daughter of Clementine Millington Easley and Theodocia Abia Montgomery) was born on 16 Aug 1878 in Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas; died on 15 Apr 1908; was buried in Spring Hill Cemetery, Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Fed, along with his father Willis, and brothers William, John and Charles were indicted for the murders of Eli Low and Kit Smith after a short trial and based on a longstanding feud over free-ranging. Charles and Fed's trial was held first and they were found guilty. Charles was sent to prison for twenty-five years. Fed was given life in prison, but successfully appealed his case and was retried. He was again found guilty. He would never serve, however, as the jail was broken into and Willis, Fed, William and John escaped into the countryside- where they began a running war with the law enforcement of the day.
The Texas Rangers were called in to assist in arresting the Conners, but were ambushed and one Ranger, J.H. (Jim) Moore was killed. William Conner was also killed and many others were wounded. Willis, Fed and John escaped the battle. The Rangers, having suffered a grievous defeat, left Sabine County and did not return.
The people of the county, wanting to end the violence, began to pressure local officers to arrest the Conners. Eventually, a private investigator was hired and disguised as a cattle buyer went through the county looking for clues to the Conner's whereabouts. He learned that Willis and Fed's families left food and supplies for them on a trail somewhere deep in the woods. An ambush was set up and Fed Conner was killed. Willis escaped, but was killed a few weeks later, when his young grandson, a boy of twelve, was coming to give him food. The boy had been tracked and followed by a posse and in the ensuing gunfight, Willis and the boy were killed.
This sad situation finally ended the Low-Conner Feud which had divided the county for so long. For years, no one wanted to discuss what had occurred as it was simply too divisive and the families too intermingled to be considered a worthy subject of conversation. Courtesy of Ed Wetterman (edwetterman@hotmail.com), as posted on his website http://clikto/sabinefeud

(Research):

Census Listings:

1870 census
not located

1880 census
not located

Frederick married Nancy Pauline Travis after 1870. Nancy (daughter of James Cannon Travis and Sophronia Pauline White) was born on 2 Sep 1852 in Texas; died on 26 Sep 1927; was buried in Spring Hill Cemetery, Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

At the time of the 1910 Federal census, she was living with her son and daughter in law, William F. and Emma Conner, in Sabine County; and in 1920 she was living with son Willis and his wife Nora.

(Research):
Census Listings:

1900 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Precinct No 1
Enumerated 19 Jun 1900
SD 8 ED 68 Sheet 8A
125-129
Conner, Nancy W F Sept 1852 47 Wd 8/5 Tx La Miss Farmer
Conner, Robt W F Feb 1880 20 M 0 Tx Fla La Farm Laborer
Conner, Ada Dtr-in-Law W F Dec 1880 20 M 0/0 Tx Tx Tx

Notes:

He went by the nickname "Bud", and his family called him "Big Papa." His tombstone reads Clement M. Easley. At the time of the 1920 Federal census, twin sons Cyril and Cecil were still living at home, along with his 14 year old granddaughter, Mary G. Rains.

Clementine married Theodocia Abia Montgomery on 17 Oct 1877 in Nacogdoches County, Texas. Theodocia (daughter of Vincent Alpheus Montgomery and Mary Eliza Gandy) was born on 7 Mar 1857 in Sabine Parish, Louisiana; died on 16 Feb 1931 in Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas; was buried in Spring Hill Cemetery, Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The daughter of Vincent Montgomery and Elisia Gandy.

Notes:

Married:
Might instead have been married in San Augustine County, Texas.

Notes:

There was a Willis Conner in the "1840 Decatur County Georgia Census Index " (Frances T. Ingmire, Mountain Press). Decatur is very near the Florida border. Could this be him?

Came to Texas in 1857 from Tattonall County, Geogia.

Was shown on the muster roll of Captain J.M. Burroughs Company of the Sabine County Volunteer Infantry, CSA, and was enlisted at Hemphill, Texas by Drury Field for 3 months duty on January 15, 1863. His headstone is marked Texas Infantry, CSA.


On his "12 to Midnight" blog, Ed Wetterman (edwetterman@hotmail.com) writes:

In the 1880's several of Sabine County's families became embroiled in an unfortunate shooting feud that disrupted the whole community. Fathers, sons, daughters and cousins became engulfed in the fighting that would ravage the county from 1883 to 1887.

It began with the murders of Eli Low and Kit Smith in Holly Bottom off Housin Bayou in the southern part of Sabine County. The bodies were found about ten feet apart and the men had been shot in the back. The funerals were quickly held and many thought it suspicious that the Conner family had not attended.

It was known that the Conner and Low families had argued in the past about free-ranging and the building of schools and roads. Apparently many angry words had been exchanged, but the situation had never erupted into violence.

After a short investigation, Willis Conner, along with his sons, Fed, William, John and Charles were indicted for the murders and held without bond. Charles and Fed's trial was held first and they were found guilty. Charles was sent to prison for twenty-five years. Fed was given life in prison, but successfully appealed his case and was retried. He was again found guilty. He would never serve, however, as the jail was broken into and Willis, Fed, William and John escaped into the countryside- where they began a running war with the law enforcement of the day.

The Texas Rangers were called in to assist in arresting the Conners, but were ambushed and one Ranger, J.H. (Jim) Moore was killed. William Conner was also killed and many others were wounded. Willis, Fed and John escaped the battle. The Rangers, having suffered a grievous defeat, left Sabine County and did not return. John Conner then abandoned Willis and Fed and according to Ruth Sibley Davis in her book "Neighbor against Neighbor," moved to start a new life in Louisiana.

The people of the county, wanting to end the violence, began to pressure local officers to arrest the Conners. Eventually, a private investigator was hired and disguised as a cattle buyer went through the county looking for clues to the Conner's whereabouts. He learned that Willis and Fed's families left food and supplies for them on a trail somewhere deep in the woods. An ambush was set up and Fed Conner was killed. Willis escaped, but was killed a few weeks later, when his young grandson, a boy of twelve, was coming to give him food. The boy had been tracked and followed by a posse and in the ensuing gunfight, Willis and the boy were killed.

This sad situation finally ended the Low-Conner Feud which had divided the county for so long. For years, no one wanted to discuss what had occurred as it was simply too divisive and the families too intermingled to be considered a worthy subject of conversation.



(Research):

Census Listings:

1850 Census
Georgia, Tatnall County, No. 79 Subdivision
Enumerated 9 Dec 1850
(image on ancestry.com is very faint)
???-332
William and Nancy Conner
333-335
Willis Conner 28 Farmer birthplace: ditto (Tatnall?)
Percy Conner 25 birthplace: ditto (Tatnall?)
Fedrick Conner 3 birthplace: ditto (Tatnall?)
Charles Conner 1 birthplace: ditto (Tatnall?)

1860 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Patroon Beat No. 5, PO Milam
Enumerated 7 July 1860
Page 31
231-232
Willis Conner 37 M Farmer $--- $1700 Ga
Piercey Conner 35 F Ga
Frederick M Conner 12 M Ga
Charles W Conner 10 M Ga
Leonard J Sonner 8 M Ga
Alfred H Conner 6 M Ga
William Conner 4 M Ga
Catherine P Conner 2 F Ga

1870 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Beat No 2, PO Sabine Town
Enumerated 2 August 1870
Page 24
503-504
Conner, Willis 47 M W Farmer $500 $500 Ga
Conner, Therisa (sic) 45 F W Keeping House Ga
Conner, Federick M 23 M Ga
and on a separate page (appears to have been inadvertantly seperated?)
Texas, Sabine County, Beat No. 3, PO Brookeland
Enumerated 4 Aug 1870
Stamped 19
502-502
Charles W 21 M W Ga
Leander J 17 M W Ga
Alfred H 16 M S Fl
William E 14 M W Fla
Percy D 13 F W Fla
John M 9 M W Tx
Nancy B 7 F W Tx

1880 Census
Texas, Sabine County, JP 2
Enumerated 2 July 1880
Page 19 SD 1 ED 84
168-179
Jackson and Susan Low family
169-180
Connor, Willis W M 58 Farmer Ga SC Ga
Connor, Pierce W F 55 Wf Ga Ga SC
Connor, Wm W M 25 Son Fla Ga Ga
Connor, John W M 19 Son Tx Ga Ga
Connor, Nancy W F 15 Dtr Tx Ga Ga
170-181
Connor, Alfred W M 27 Farmer Fla Ga Ga
Connor, Sarah W F 24 Wife La Miss La
Connor, Alfred W M 7 Son Tx Fla La
Connor, Stephen W M 5 Son Tx Fla La
Connor, Fanny W F 3 Dtr Tx Fla La
Connor, Riley W M 1 Son Tx Fla La

Willis married Piercy Douglas on 1 Aug 1844 in Tattnall County, Georgia. Piercy was born on 4 Apr 1824 in Tattnall County, Georgia; died on 22 Oct 1898 in Many, Sabine Parish, Louisiana; was buried in Conner Cemetery, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Query from Tem Moody

Piercy Douglass, born 24 Apr 1824 in GA. Married (1) Willis Jackson Conner 1 Aug 1844 (2) M. J. Coleman. Willis J. Conner died 1887 in Sabine Co. TX and is buried in Conner Cemetery, Sabine Co. TX. Piercy died 22 Oct 1898 in Sabine County TX and may be buried in the Conner Cemetery or in the Douglas Cemetery in Union County FL. Attempting to verify date of death and burial place of Piercy nee Douglass.

Reply from Linda King Davenport

The Index to the Cemeteries of Sabine County Texas 1836 - 1964 copyrighted by J. B. Sanders 1964 states the burial place as Conner Cemetery with 5 unmarked graves. To quote: "Conner, Percy 15 Mar 1824 - 22 Oct 1898" I don't know if "Percy" was misspelled in Mr. Sanders' book or on the tombstone. This is not my line and I have not researched this at all. Happy hunting!

Ron McClendon noted that he is not sure of the second marriage.

She was the daughter of Frederick Douglas.

FindAGrave shows that "Piercey was the daughter of Frederick Douglas and wife, Bethamy Hannah Anderson Douglas. She was born with twin sister, Tiercey Douglas. Married Willis William Jackson Conner on 1 Aug 1844 in Tattnall County, Georgia."

Notes:

He was known by his middle name, Cannon. He may have been married previously to an Elizabeth, also from Mississippi.

According to the MINUTES 1858-1890 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH HEMPHILL, TEXAS, (James) Cannon and Sophronia (White) Travis were among the 11 founding members of the church. Sophronia was admitted by voucher on September 7, 1857 from W. C. Southwell, Missionary East Texas, as was her husband, Cannon Travis. Fellowship was withdrawn from Cannon Travis on November 10, 1860, and restored September 24, 1864. In June 1884, "charges having been preferred against Bro. Cannon Travis for unchristian conduct & said charges as alleged being Sustained, it was ordered that the Church withdraw fellowship from him & it is further ordered that his name be erased from the Church Book."

Note: Children's names and birthdates are based on a transcription of the 1870 census. The actual 1870 and 1880 census microfilm's should be carefully checked. The 1880 extract seems to have several glaring discrencies in names and dates. Blanche Toole speculates that perhaps the census taker knew Cannon and his family, and completed the information from (faulty) memory instead of by actually interviewing the family. Also, Charlie White lists a child named Jann White, born ca 1868 per the 1870 census who is not listed on either transcription of the census. Perhaps this is Martha Jane White.

Military Service Co. D 1 Tex HV Arty CSA (Courtesy of Tony Pickett)

Was shown on the muster roll of Captain J.M. Burroughs Company of the Sabine County Volunteer Infantry, CSA, and was enlisted at Hemphill, Texas by Drury Field for 3 months duty on January 15, 1863.

Jules Hurst writes that "I understand that Cannon died in Texas of cancer of the eye."

James married Sophronia Pauline White on 5 Dec 1850 in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana. Sophronia (daughter of Edward White and Elizabeth Strickland) was born in Nov 1833 in Amite County, Mississippi; died on 15 Jun 1915 in Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas; was buried in Hemphill City Cemetery, Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Sophronia was born during an auspicious month. On November 13, 1833, between midnight and dawn, thousands of meteors showered the sky over North America. To the native peoples of the land, it appeared that the stars were falling out of the heavens. Some thought it was the judgment day. Others called it "The Night the Stars Fell".

A young girl who was a slave at the time of the event said "Somebody in the quarters started yellin' in the middle of the night to come out and to look up at the sky. We went outside and there they was a fallin' everywhere! Big stars coming down real close to the groun' and just before they hit the ground they would burn up! We was all scared. Some O'the folks was screamin' and some was prayin' we all made so much noise, the white folk came out to see what was happenin'. They looked up and then they got scared too."

The celestial phenomenon called "the most impressive and awesome display ever recorded" was, in fact, the Leonids meteor shower seen in one of its most impressive years. Viewers witnessed 50,000 to 150,000 meteors per hour, only equaled by the November 17, 1966 display, when the Leonid shower brought 150,000 meteors per hour. Debris from the comet Temple-Tuttle that orbits the sun every 33 years causes the shower.

She was born and raised in Amite County, Mississippi, and can be found on the 1850 census with her parents. Sometime after that, the family moved to Sabine County, Texas.

After her husband's death, she lived with her oldest son, William Hardy Travis. She can be found living with he and his wife, Grace Ener, at the time of the 1900 and 1910 Sabine County census.

Notes:

The following information was emailed to me by Tony Pickett (abpickett@aol.com)

Civil War Service Record, from the holdings of the Texas State Archives

Easley, C.W., 4th Sergt. Burroughs, J.M. Capt CSA June 15, 1863 at Hemphill for 3 mos Nativity: Tex; Age 36; Eyes Light Hair Dark; Complection Dark; Stature 5'10"; Occupation Farmer; R&F 67; roll date Jan 15-63 to Ap. 15-63; Co. sta. at Buenavista, Shelby County; Drury Field Insp. & Mus. Off.; Military App. very good; arms very few; accoutrements very ltd. & no tents; clothing limited.

Land Grants from the Republic of Texas Abstract: 97, Original Grantee: Clement W. Easley, Patentee: Clement W. Easley, Quantity: 251 acres Class: Third, Date of Patent: 20 June 1864 Pa: 36

790 Abstract of Land Titles, Jasper County Abstract: 141, Original Grantee: Clement W. Easley Certificate: #94 Patentee: Clement W. Easley Quantity: 320 Acres Date of patent: 14 Sept 1866 Pa: Vol Survey #6, Old Abstract #73


Deed Book F, p 250 Clement W. Easley 3rd Class-251 Acres Preemption Filed July the 16 1887 11 am W.T. Arnold, Clerk, Sabine Co, Texas

To all whom these presents shall come Know ye. I Pendleton Murray Governor of the State aforesaid, by virtue of the power vested in me by Law and in accordance with the Laws of said state in such case made and provided, do by these presents Grant to Clement W. Easley his heirs or Assigns forever, two hundred and fifty one acres of land, situated and described as follows in Sabine County, about 15 1/2 miles s. 34 degrees W of Milam, on the waters of Bear Creek; by virtue of Pre-emption Certificate No. 1 issued by the Clerk of said county, on the 15th day of November, 1858. .....Hereby relinquishing to him said Clement W. Easley and his heirs or assigns forever all the right and title in and to said land, herefore held and possessed by the said State to be affixed as well as the Seal of the General Land Office. Done at the City of Austin on the Twentieth day of June in the Year of Lord One Thousand eight hundred and sixty four.


Deed Book M, p 617 CW EASLEY 160 acres preemption Filed 26 March 1901 8 am J.A. Watson, Clerk, Sabine Co, Texas

To all to whom these presence shall come, know ye, I, O.M. Roberts, Governor of the State aforesaid by virtue of the power vested in me by law ans in accordance witht he laws of said State in such case made and provided do by these presents grant to C.W. Easley his heirs or assigns forever One Hundred and Sixty acres of land, situated and described as follows. In Sabine County about 6 miles S.55 W from Hemphill, by virtue of his affidavit made before the Clerk of the District Court for Sabine County July 1, 1871, Under an act supplementary to an Act to regulate the disposal of the Public Lands of the State of Texas approved March 24th, 1871, Beginning on Isaac F. Pace South b'dy at a Stake.....Hereby relinquishing to him the said C.W. Easley and his heirs or assigns forever all the rights and title in and to said land, hereafter held and possessed by the said State, and I do hereby issue this letter Patent for the same. In Testimony Whereof, I have caused the seal of the State to be affixed as well as the seal of the General Land Office. Done at the City of Austin in the ninth day of June, in the Year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and Eighty Two.

W.C. Walsh Commissioner of the Ge. Land Office O.M. Roberts, Governor

The State of Texas County of Sabine

Know all by these presents. That we Eliza Jane Easley, Surviving widow of C.W. Easley and Jas. T. Went & John E. Went & wife Fannie E. Went & D.H. Easley & C.M. Easley surviving heirs at law of said C.W. Easley of the said County of Sabine and State aforesaid for and in consideration of the Sum of Three Hundred Dollars to us in hand paid by J.H. Bell as follows cash in hand the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged have granted, Sold and conveyed and by these presents do grant Sell and convey unto the said J.H. Bell of the County of Sabine and State of Texas all that certain tracts or parcel of land lying in Sabine County, Texas about 5 mile South West from Hemphill and being our entire interest in the C.W. Easley 160 acre pre-emption patented to....Witness our hands at Home this 12th day of October A.D. 1897 Eliza Jane Easley (her mark) J.T. Went D.H. Easley J.E. Went F.A. Went C.M. Easley

Clementine married Elizabeth Jane White about 1852 in Spring Hill Community, Sabine County, Texas. Elizabeth (daughter of Edward White and Elizabeth Strickland) was born on 1 May 1825 in Amite County, Mississippi; died on 19 May 1899 in Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

She was living with her parents, and with four small children, on the 1850 Amite County, Mississippi census.She went by the name of Jane.

Notes:

He served several terms as sheriff of Sabine Parish and went to Sabine County, Texas one time for 4 years so he would not be reelected. He was bonded as coroner in January, 1852. He bought 639 acres of Rio Hondo land, but when he couldn't make the payments, he released the land back in 1856. In 1857, property he owned consisting of "a female slave named Lett, about 16, and her one month old child, together with two horses and one yoke of oxen" were sold at a Sheriff's sale to satisfy a $1497 debt to his wife. They were seperated, amd Mary was suing to recover money from her mothers succession used by her said husband. Enlisted in the CSA with his brothers in New Orleans in 1862. They later transferred to Co B, 17th Infantry. Vincent was not captured at the Siege of Vicksburg and was paroled at Natchitoches at the close of the war.(Casagranda, 1850 Census, 83).

(Research):

Census Listings:

1850 Census
Lousiana, Sabine Parish
Enumerated 11 Sept 1850, stamped 122
265-267
Vincent Montgomery 23 M Farmer La
Mary Montgomery 17 F La
Sarah Montgomery 2 F La
266-267
Marion F. Carter 24 M Farmer 3000 Miss
Julia Carter 22 F Miss
Horatio Carter 15 M Miss
Mary Carter 12 F Miss
Jensey Carter 11 F Miss
Clarence Carter 2 M La
John Carter 1 M La

1880 Census
Louisiana, Sabine Parish, Ward 2, Toro
Enumerated 16 June 1880
Page 22 SD 2 ED 46
63-65
Montgomery, V. A. W M 52 Farmer La Ms Tenn
Montgomery, Mary E. W F 48 W Keeping House La Ala Ala
Montgomery, G. E. W M 14 Son Work at Home Farm La La La
Montgomery, Zoe A. W F 8 Str La La La
64-66
Barr A A W M 29 Farmer La Vermont Pa
Barr, L B. W F 17 Keeping House La La La

Vincent married Mary Eliza Gandy on 11 Nov 1847 in Sabine Parish, Louisiana. Mary was born about 1833 in Louisiana; died on 14 Mar 1905 in Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas; was buried in Spring Hill Cemetery, Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The daughter of Daniel Ross Gandy and Nancy Evans (dwelling 578 of this census). (Casagranda, 1850 Census, 83).

Notes:

Married:
They were the parents of 10 known children. (Casagranda, 1850 Census, 83).