Thomas Edward Bell

Notes:

He married Dezzie Bobbitt ca 1904.

A digital image of his actual Texas Death certificate is viewable online at FamilySearch.org, Texas Deaths, 1890-1976. At the time of his death he was widowed (his late wife was listed as Dezzie Bell) and his home address was Brookeland, Texas. He was listed as a farmer, and the son of John Henry Bell and Fannie Easley. The informant was D. A. Bell.

(Research):

Census Listings:

1910 Census
Texas, San Augustine County, JP 4
Enumerated 27 Apr 1910
SD 2 ED 142 Sheet 6B
117-136
Bell, Edward Hd M W 28 M1 6 Tx Tx Tx Farmer
Bell, Dessia D Wf F W 25 M 6 4/4 Tx Tx Tx Farm Laborer
Bell, Arnie Son M W 5 S Tx Tx Tx
Bell, Mattie Dtr F W 4 Tx Tx Tx
Bell, Libbie Dtr F W 2 S Tx Tx Tx
Bell, Sarah M Dtr F W 1 2/12 S Tx Tx Tx

Thomas married Dezzie Demonie Bobbitt about 1904. Dezzie was born on 20 May 1885 in San Augustine County, Texas; died on 7 Feb 1940 in Brookeland, Sabine County, Texas; was buried in Brookeland Cemetery, Brookeland, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Arvie Louis Bell was born on 5 Sep 1904 in Texas; died on 25 Jun 1972 in Jasper, Jasper County, Texas; was buried in Plainview Cemetery (aka Plainview Family Cemetery), Pineland, Sabine County, Texas.
2. Drew Almern Bell was born on 8 Dec 1910 in Texas; died on 15 Jul 1960 in Longview, Gregg County, Texas; was buried in Brookeland Cemetery, Brookeland, Sabine County, Texas.
3. Son Bell was born on 25 Jul 1913 in Texas; died on 9 Sep 1913 in Texas; was buried in Brookeland Cemetery, Brookeland, Sabine County, Texas.
4. Daughter Bell was born on 30 May 1916 in Texas; died on 16 Jul 1916 in Texas; was buried in Brookeland Cemetery, Brookeland, Sabine County, Texas.
5. John Henry Bell was born on 15 Feb 1923 in Texas; died on 23 Apr 1923 in Texas; was buried in Brookeland Cemetery, Brookeland, Sabine County, Texas.

Notes:

In her annotated transcription of the Brookeland Cemetery, Kay Parker McCary shows him as a son of John R. Bell and July Ann Bradshaw (sic). His tombstone is inscribed :He died as he lived trusting in God."

(Research):

Census Listings:

1900 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Pr 3
Enumerated 5 Jun 1900
SD 8 ED 70 Sheet 3A

37-37
Bell, Henry J. Hd W M Mar 1855 45 m26 Tx Ky Ky Farmer
Bell, Francis B Wf W F Nov 1857 42 m26 13/12 Tx Miss Miss
Bell, Ella Dau W F Jan 1879 21 S Tx Tx Tx
Bell, John H Son W M Aug 1882 17 S Tx Tx Tx
Bell, Martha J. Dau W F May 1884 16 S Tx Tx Tx
Bell, Daniel O Son W M Dec 1885 14 S Tx Tx Tx
Bell, Walter Son W M Aug 1887 12 S Tx Tx Tx
Bell, Artie C Son W M Feb 1889 11 S Tx Tx Tx
Bell, Sudie Dau W F Oct 1890 ( S Tx Tx Tx
Bell, Dollie Dau W F Nov 1892 7 S Tx Tx Tx
Bell, Baby B Son W M Apr 1899 1 S Tx Tx Tx

Household 35-35, on the preceding census sheet (2B) is that of
George Bell (b. Aug 1847 KY) and Mary Bell (b. Sept 1854 TX). Mary was shown as the mother of 12 children, 9 still living. Nine children were still living with them, Annie, Wm. F, Ella, Mary Lou, John Oliver, Bolivar, Pearl, Sidney and Thomas.

Household 36-36 was that of James Bell (b. Dec 1868 Tx) and Nellie Bell (b. Mar 1868 TX). They were the parents of 5 children/4 still living, Addie, Olliver, Richard, and Leona. James's father, John Bell, born Jan 1821 in Kentucky, was also a resident of their home.

HH 39-39 was that of Henry and Fannie's eldest son, George W. Bell, with his wife.


1910 Census
Texas, Sabine County, JP 3
SD 7 ED 133 Sheet 20B
380-385
Bell, J. Henry Hd M W 55 Wd Tx Ky Ky Farming
Bell, Owen Son M W 23 S Tx Tx Tx Laborer Farm
Bell, Artie Son M W 21 S Tx Tx Tx Laborer Farm
Bell, Sudie Dtr F W 19 S Tx Tx Tx
Bell, Louie Son m W 11 S Tx Tx Tx

John married Frances "Fannie" Benena Easley on 9 Jul 1874 in Sabine County, Texas. Frances (daughter of Clementine Watterson Easley and Elizabeth Jane White) was born on 4 Nov 1857 in Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas; died on 1 Jan 1905 in Texas; was buried in Brookeland Cemetery, Brookeland, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Her tombstone is inscribed, "In remembrance of J. H. Bell's Wife-Married to J. H. Bell 9 July 1874, She died as she lived trusting in God."

Notes:

In her annotated transcription of the Brookeland Cemetery, Kay Parker McCary shows him as a born in Green County, KY. There is a military marker at his grave site showing that he was a Pvt Co D 1 Texas HV ARTY, Confederate States Army. His tombstone was engraved "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God."

At the time of the 1900 Sabine County Federal Census, 1900 Census,Enumerated 5 Jun 1900,SD 8 ED 70 Sheet 3A, Household 36-36 was that of James Bell (b. Dec 1868 Tx) and Nellie Bell (b. Mar 1868 TX). They were the parents of 5 children/4 still living, Addie, Olliver, Richard, and Leona. James's father, John Bell, born Jan 1821 in Kentucky, was also a resident of their home.



(Research):

Census Listings:

1860 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Bare Creek Beat
Enumerated 11 July 1860
262-262
John R. Bell 36 M Farmer $--- $825 Ky
Julia P. Bell 32 F Ky
George A Bell 11 M Ky
Martha Bell 10 F Ky
William Bell 7 M Ky
John Bell 5 M Ky
Franklin Bell 3 M Tx
Luther Bell 4/12 Tx

1870 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Beat No. 3, PO Brookeland
Enumerated 7 Aug 1870
Page No. 6
541-541
Bell, John B. 46 M W Farmer $1000 Ky
Bell, Julia Ann 40 F W Keeping House KY
Bell, George A 23 M W Ky
Bell, William 18 M W Ky
Bell, Henry 16 M W Tx
Bell, Frankline 13 M W Tx
Bell, Luther 10 M W Tx
Bell, Robert 9 M W Tx
Bell, Phillips 7 M W Tx
Bell, James 3 M W Tx

1880 Census
J. R. Bell Self Wd M W 59 Ky Farmer Va Va
Robert Bell Son S M W 18 Tx Wks on Farm Ky Ky
Phillip Bell Son S M W 16 Tx Wks on Farm Ky Ky
James Bell Son S M W 12 Tx Wks on Farm Ky Ky
Luther Bell Son S M W 20 Tx Farmer Ky Ky
B. A. Bell Wf M F W 18 Tx Tx Tx
Source: Pr 3, Sabine, TX
FHL Film 1255325 NA Film #T9-1325
Page # 209D

John married Julia Ann "Annie" "JulyAnn" Smith. Julia was born on 12 Dec 1829 in Green County, Kentucky; died on 4 Mar 1879 in Sabine County, Texas; was buried in Brookeland Cemetery, Brookeland, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

In her annotated transcription of the Brookeland Cemetery, Kay Parker McCary lists her as JulyAnn Bell (nee Bradshaw), and indicates that her tombstone was inscribed "Wife of J. R. Bell, She lived as a Christian as a Christian Died. "

The death certificates of her sons George, Luther, and James Walter, however, all indicate that their mother's name was instead Julia Ann "Annie" SMITH. Perhaps the confusion in her last name arose due to the fact that Julia Ann's son, Bob, did marry a Julia Ann Bradshaw.

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:

Per "1850 Sabine County, Texas Census with Added Family Information and Corrections," Daniel Bush Easley Sr owned 7 slaves. He was said to be the son of John EASLEY and Sarah BUSH.

(Research):

Census Listings:

1850 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Sabine District
Page 319
130-130
Daniel Easley 58 M Farmer 150 Ga
Jane Easley 44 F Ga
Clement Easley 23 M Tn
John Baker 9 M Tx
James Baker 7 M Tx
Williamd Lemmons 6 M La

Daniel married Frances Jane Hornbeck before 1816. Frances was born about 1795 in Georgia; died before 1870 in Van Zandt County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

William Everheart notes that Jane Easley age 65 born TN shows up in the 1860 Van Zandt census with the Murphy family (an original Sabine County family) along with a William Easley. This Murphy family is a descendant of a Willis and Priscilla Murphy. Priscilla was born 1801 in GA and I suspect she was either a sister of Daniel or of Frances Jane Hornbeck. (Email dated 7 Jan 2000 from weverheart@worldnet.att.net). Janie Easley Vance instead shows her place of birth as Georgia, per census records.

Notes:

There is an Ed White in Pike County, Mississippi in 1820. This may or may not be the same Edward White that is located in Amite County, Mississippi 10 years later. The family composition is 3 males under the age of 10, 1 male between 10-16, two males between 26 and 45, two females under the age of 10, and one female age 26 to 45.

On the 1830 Amite County, Mississippi census, Edward White and wife had 3 boys & 3 girls, 0-9, 1 boy and 1 girl 10-19. He was between the ages of 40 to 60 and his wife was between 20 and 40.

He was still in Amite County in 1840, on page 52. The microfilm at the San Antonio Public Library was faded and difficult to read. It appeared to show the following, however< Edward White Males 1-0-2-0-0-0-0-1 Females0-2-0-2-0-0-1-0 He appears to have held at least two female slaves, one under the age of five, and the other between five and ten. The number of male slaves is difficult to read. It is probably just one.

Edward White, his wife Elizabeth, and several of his children can be found in Amite County, Mississippi on the 1850 census as well. Sometime after this enumeration, they moved to Sabine County, Texas.

In White and Toole's book, Sabine County Historical Sketches and Genealogical Records it was noted hat "Later that year (ca. 1843-sic), the Edward White family...and many of their friends and relatives came to Sabine County. Some forty or fifty covered wagons, some of them drawn by oxen, travelled together." From "Sabine County Historical Sketches And Genealogical Records."

Edward White is shown on various internet trees, most unsourced, as either the son of William White and Mary Matilda Mason of Mecklenberg, Virginia or as the son of Edward White and Pembrook Singleton of Kingston Parish, Gloucester County, Virginia. In neither case has documentary evidence been shown. Mildred Bell Landers emailed that she had "heard from a ggg grandson of Edward White (through his daughter who married Cannon Travis), and he asked if I had ever heard that Edward was an Indian named Whitecloud or Whitefeather, like his father, William. I had never heard this, and in Sabine County the past is closer than elsewhere. Nor had I heard that Edward White's father was William. One of my other gg grandfathers was part Indian, and this seems to be known in Sabine County, at least by descendants. Ever heard of any of this? There was a picture of an Edward White, Civil War veteran, in an issue of the Sabine County Reporter (maybe a son or grandson) and he did not appear to be part Indian. In my mother's family, some of them had characteristics that could be considered Indian."

Jack Hutchins White emailed, in August 2013, that his White ancestor was "Cajabeth White, who was living in Bute Co, NC with his brother, William, as early as 1766. He had two sons, John and Robert. John White inherited land from a man named John Seagrove, whose will names John White as his nephew. It seems likely that Cajabeth's wife, Frances, was a Seagrove, but this is not proven. The 1771 tax list for Bute Co shows that Young McLemore....had an overseer named John Seagrove, who appears on a number of documents with members of the McLemore family before they migrated out of Bute (later Warren) Co. I have been trying for a couple of years to piece together precisely how the Seagrove, McLemore and White families may have interacted with one another, but the Seagrove family history is as complicated as that of the Whites.

The thing that interests me about your website is that Cajabeth White was frequently referred to in court documents as Cade, and I see in your website that two sons of Edward White (b. 1781 in Mecklenburg Co, VA) each had sons they named Cade.

I believe it is likely that the Edward White in your website is the son of William White Sr. of Mecklenburg Co, VA. The personal property tax lists for that county show a son of William named Edward who is first listed as a taxable adult in the household of his father in 1797 and as head of his own household in 1800. He is gone from the county by 1801.




I am researching the possibility that William White Sr. was the brother of Cajabeth "Cade" White named in the 1766 tax rolls for Bute Co. The fact that the name Cade appears twice among the grandchildren of Edward White seems to support this theory.

I am still a bit fuzzy on when this White line intermarries with the Strong and McLemore families. I am hoping one of your family researchers would be willing to collaborate with me on the foregoing topics. I have copied Lisa Lisson, a White family descendant, who is assisting in this research."

(Research):
Census Listings:

CENSUS YR: 1850
STATE or TERRITORY: MS
COUNTY: Amite REEL NO: M432-368
PAGE NO: 93A
REFERENCE: Enumerated 12 Dec 1850 by Henry Flowe
23 615 615 White Edward 69 M Farmer 750 Va
24 615 615 White Elizabeth 55 F Geo 25
615 615 White Jane E. 25 F Amite Co Miss (Widow of J.H. Wente---I believe she is actually listed as Went on the microfilm)
26 615 615 White S. P. 17 F Amite Co Miss
27 615 615 White Wm. T. 12 M Amite Co Miss
28 615 615 Went Elizabeth 7 F Amite Co Miss
29 615 615 Went John E. 6 M Amite Co Miss
30 615 615 Went Jane E. 4 F Amite Co Miss
31 615 615 Went James T. 1 M Amite Co Miss

On the 1860 Sabine County, Texas census, Edward and Elizabeth (age 79 and 66) were living with 11 year old L.E. White, a female born in Texas. Edward's real property was valued at $500 and he had personal property valued at $7,943. I speculate that L.E. White might actually be M.E. White, Mary Elizabeth Sophronia White, the oldest daughter of James and Drucilla White. James died prior to 1860, and his wife remarried John C. Partin. James and Drucilla's two younger daughters are listed with Drucilla and her new husband, but their oldest daughter, born circa 1848/1849, has disappeared. It could be that this oldest daughter died. Or it could be that the oldest daughter went to live with and/or care for her elderly grandparents. Additionally, the 11 year old L.E. White does not seem to fit into any other of the White families shown on the 1850 census, nor can she be found after 1860.

Edward married Elizabeth Strickland after 1809 in Elbert County, Georgia. Elizabeth (daughter of Henry Strickland and Ruth Thompson) was born about 1795 in Elbert County, Georgia; died on 25 Dec 1864 in Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas; was buried in Travis Cemetery, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

From the JERUSALEM CHURCH CHURCH BOOK, Mississippi Territory of Amite, 29 Feb 1812

This church was located near the present town of Gillsburg. Organized 29 Feb 1812, when Mississippi was Indian Territory. The transcription is courtesy of Mrs. Alva McEwen, McComb, Mississippi.

Nov 1836: Received by experience, Elizabeth White Oct 1837: Elizabeth White, Pernecia Travis baptized Apr 1842: Members included: Elizabeth White, Emily and Patsy Strickland, Rutha White, Henry Strickland, Elizabeth White (dec'd), Polly (Mary) Travis, William Travis, Nancy Travis, John Travis, John Travis, Sr., Nancy Travis, Mary Travis

Elizabeth Strickland White and 10 others founded the regular Baptist Church of Jesus Christ on the banks of the Housen Bayou on May 29, 1858. This later became known as the First Baptist Church of Hemphill. Elizabeth joined by letter from the Jerusalem Church in Amite County, Mississippi. The other founding members were Richard and Ruth Travis, Henry S and Mary Etta White, Simon and Mary Ann Beckcom, John and Sophronia Everett, and Cannon and Sophronia Travis.

Elizabeth's husband, Edward, did not become a member of this church, founded by his wife and several of his children, until over six years had passed. He then joined on a profession of faith and Baptism in June 1864. According to the minutes of June 25, 1864, "Confarence was adjorned for the Church to meete at Father E Whites at 4 oclock for the purpos of hearing what the Lord had don for his precious sole, after hearing of his Experiance it was moved that Father E White be Received in Christian fellowship."

This experience must have caused him to evangelize, because on July 23d, 1865, "after preching, the privelege of the Church was Extended when too Servint Girls came forward, Amy belongin to Edward White & Charitee also belonging to Edward White. after hearing ther Experience was Received the church and then adjorned to the water" By September, 1865, Father E. White was Moderator of the Conference, though it appears he gave up this reponsibility quickly. He was replaced by Pastor John L Mills in October of 1865. His faith apparently never wavered as it was noted that he "Dyed Jan 13th 1871 in the Faith."

Notes:

Married:
Bears and Panthers and Sabine County Women

This story from the 1800s, as told by the master storyteller, J.Frank Dobie, gives another reason not to mess with Sabine County women:

"One winter day the White family on Bear Creek in Sabine County killed a hog, cut it up, put the meat in a wooden tub, and set it in a corner of the cabin, to be salted down and smoked on the morrow.

Then the man went off with his dogs to join the neighbor on a hunt.

That night while Mrs. White was chunking up the fire in the fireplace, the children covered up in bed and a quilt wrapped around herself to shut out the cold norther blowing through the chinks in the log walls, she heard a panther scream.

She knew it had smelled the fresh meat. It prowled under the puncheon floor and then leaped up on the roof, every once in a while letting out a scream. Then it went to clawing on the logs and finally got a paw through a crack near the tub of meat and took out a piece.

At this, Mrs. White threw her quilt over the tub, seized an axe standing just inside the door, and waited.

In a little while the panther put its paw back through the crack for another piece of meat. She had the axe raised and now she came down with it, cutting the paw clean off.
That panther did not bother around the cabin any more that night."

----- J. Frank Dobie, "Tales of Old-Time Texas"

Posted by Ronad Barlow on his Facebook group, Farm Road 1 - From one end to the other. It is not known which Mrs. White this story relates to.