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Ray Fussell

Male 1925 - 1944  (19 years)


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Generation: 1

  1. 1.  Ray Fussell was born on 23 Jan 1925 in San Augustine County, Texas (son of Deal L. Fussell and Sally Louise Causey); died on 8 Feb 1944 in Cassino, Frosinone, Italy; was buried in Magnolia Springs Cemetery, Magnolia Springs, Jasper County, Texas.

    Notes:

    Death Certificate notes he was killed in action Casin Italty, buried in Kirbyville

    (Research):https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/J69F-DMR
    Name: Ray Fussell
    Death Date: 08 Feb 1944
    Death Place: Casin, Italy
    Gender: Male
    Race:
    Death Age: 19 years
    Estimated Birth Date: 1925
    Birth Date:
    Birthplace:
    Marital Status:
    Spouse's Name:
    Father's Name: D. L. Fussell
    Father's Birthplace:
    Mother's Name: Sallie Causey
    Mother's Birthplace:
    Occupation:
    Place of Residence:
    Cemetery:
    Burial Place:
    Burial Date:
    Additional Relatives:
    Film Number: 2242622
    Digital Film Number: 4167717
    Image Number: 962
    Reference Number: 1470
    Collection: Texas Deaths, 1890-1976

    Family/Spouse: Elester Van Pelt. Elester was born on 30 Jan 1925 in Blox, Jasper County, Texas; died on 31 Mar 2020 in Evadale, Jasper County, Texas; was buried in Magnolia Springs Cemetery, Magnolia Springs, Jasper County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


Generation: 2

  1. 2.  Deal L. Fussell was born on 28 Jul 1887 in Sabine County, Texas (son of John Andrew Fussell and Sarah California Howard); died on 7 Jul 1962 in Kirbyville, Jasper County, Texas; was buried in Magnolia Springs Cemetery, Magnolia Springs, Jasper County, Texas.

    Notes:

    https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JDLQ-6Z5
    Name: D. L. Fussell
    Death Date: 07 Jul 1962
    Death Place: Kirbyville, Jasper, Texas
    Gender: Male
    Race: White
    Death Age: 74 years
    Estimated Birth Date:
    Birth Date: 28 Jul 1887
    Birthplace: San Augustine, Texas
    Marital Status: Married
    Spouse's Name:
    Father's Name: Johnny A. Fussell
    Father's Birthplace:
    Mother's Name: Callie Howard
    Mother's Birthplace:
    Occupation: Farmer
    Place of Residence: Kirbyville, Jasper, Texas
    Cemetery: Magnolia Springs
    Burial Place: Jasper, Texas
    Burial Date: 08 Jul 1962
    Additional Relatives: X
    Film Number: 2117023
    Digital Film Number: 4028433
    Image Number: 1803
    Reference Number: cn 43558
    Collection: Texas Deaths, 1890-1976

    (Research):

    Census Listings:

    1910 Census
    Texas, San Augustine County, JP 1
    Enumerated 28 Apr 1910
    SD 2 ED 127 Sheet 9A Stamped 205
    137-143
    Fussell, D. L. Head M W 22 M1 0 Tx Tx Tx Farmer
    Fussell, Sallie Wf F W M1 0 0/0 Tx Tx Tx

    1920 Census
    Texas, San Augustine County, JP 1
    Enumerated 5 Feby 1920
    SD 326 ED 174 Sheet 17B
    323-327
    Fussell, D. L. Head M W 32 M Tx Tx Tx Farmer
    Fussell, Sallie Wf F W 28 M Tx Tx Tx
    Fussell, Roy Son M W 9 S Tx Tx Tx
    Fussell, Lucile Dtr F W 7 S Tx Tx Tx
    Fussell, Florence Dtr F W 1 8/12 S Tx Tx Tx

    1930 Census
    Texas, San Augustine County, JP 1
    Enumerated April 23. 1930
    ED 203-2 SD 19 Sheets 12B and
    237-237
    Fussell, D. L. Head M W 42 M 22 Tx La Tx Farmer
    Fussell, Sallie Wf F W 38 M 18 Tx Tx Tx
    Fussell, Roy Son M W 19 S Tx Tx Tx Farm Laborer
    Fussell, Lucille Dtr F W 17 S Tx Tx Tx
    Fussell, Louis Dtr F W 15 S Tx Tx Tx
    Fussell, Loraine Dtr F W 12 S Tx Tx Tx
    Fussell, Lushious Son M W 8 S Tx Tx Tx
    Fussell, Nay Son M W 5 S Tx Tx Tx
    Fussell, Ray Son M W 5 S Tx Tx Tx
    Fussell, D. L. Jr Son M W 4/12 S Tx Tx Tx







    Deal married Sally Louise Causey on 24 Oct 1909 in San Augustine County, Texas. Sally (daughter of Alfred D. Causey and Kate Blanche Speights) was born in May 1891 in Sabine County, Texas; died on 11 Apr 1972 in Jasper County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  2. 3.  Sally Louise Causey was born in May 1891 in Sabine County, Texas (daughter of Alfred D. Causey and Kate Blanche Speights); died on 11 Apr 1972 in Jasper County, Texas.

    Notes:

    https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VZXJ-XYV
    Name: Sally Fussell
    Titles & Terms:
    Event: Death
    Event Date: 11 Apr 1972
    Event Place: Jasper, Texas
    Gender: Female
    Marital Status: Widowed
    Certificate Number:
    Collection: Texas, Death Index, 1903-2000

    Notes:

    Married:
    https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FXQR-GJG
    Groom's Name: D. L. Fussell
    Groom's Birth Date:
    Groom's Birthplace:
    Groom's Age:
    Bride's Name: Sallie Causey
    Bride's Birth Date:
    Bride's Birthplace:
    Bride's Age:
    Marriage Date: 24 Oct 1909
    Marriage Place: , San Augustine, Texas
    Groom's Father's Name:
    Groom's Mother's Name:
    Bride's Father's Name:
    Bride's Mother's Name:
    Groom's Race:
    Groom's Marital Status:
    Groom's Previous Wife's Name:
    Bride's Race:
    Bride's Marital Status:
    Bride's Previous Husband's Name:
    Indexing Project (Batch) Number: M59285-2
    System Origin: Texas-VR
    Source Film Number: 1003681
    Reference Number: 2:VGZVH1
    Collection: Texas, Marriages, 1837-1973

    Children:
    1. Roy Fussell was born on 18 Sep 1910 in San Augustine County, Texas; died on 30 Nov 1986 in Jefferson, Texas; was buried in Kirbyville City Cemetery, Kirbyville, Jasper County, Texas.
    2. Lucille Fussell was born on 1 Sep 1912 in San Augustine County, Texas; died on 5 Dec 1955 in Kirbyville, Jasper County, Texas; was buried in Magnolia Springs Cemetery, Magnolia Springs, Jasper County, Texas.
    3. Lois Fussell was born on 7 Nov 1914 in San Augustine County, Texas; died on 31 Jan 1995 in Jasper, Jasper County, Texas; was buried in Gooseneck Cemetery, Graham, Young County, Texas.
    4. Florene Fussell was born on 3 Apr 1918 in San Augustine County, Texas; died on 13 Dec 2013 in Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas.
    5. Living
    6. 1. Ray Fussell was born on 23 Jan 1925 in San Augustine County, Texas; died on 8 Feb 1944 in Cassino, Frosinone, Italy; was buried in Magnolia Springs Cemetery, Magnolia Springs, Jasper County, Texas.
    7. Nay Fussell was born on 24 Jan 1925 in San Augustine County, Texas; died on 3 Apr 2015 in Kirbyville, Jasper County, Texas; was buried in Magnolia Springs Cemetery, Magnolia Springs, Jasper County, Texas.
    8. Deal L Fussell, Jr. was born on 19 Dec 1929 in San Augustine County, Texas; died on 3 May 2015 in Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas; was buried in Magnolia Springs Cemetery, Magnolia Springs, Jasper County, Texas.


Generation: 3

  1. 4.  John Andrew Fussell was born on 21 Mar 1859 in Washington Parish, Louisiana (son of Edwin Alexander Fussell and Lenora Jane Moore); died on 15 May 1935 in San Augustine, San Augustine County, Texas.

    Notes:

    Name: John A. Fussell
    Death Date: 15 May 1935
    Death Place: San Angustine, San Augustine, Texas
    Gender: Male
    Race:
    Death Age: 76 years 1 month 24 days
    Estimated Birth Date: 1859
    Birth Date:
    Birthplace:
    Marital Status: Married
    Spouse's Name: Callie Fussell
    Father's Name: Alex Fussell
    Father's Birthplace:
    Mother's Name: Jane Moore
    Mother's Birthplace:
    Occupation:
    Place of Residence:
    Cemetery:
    Burial Place:
    Burial Date:
    Additional Relatives:
    Film Number: 2116749
    Digital Film Number: 4166581
    Image Number: 1621
    Reference Number: cn70761
    Collection: Texas Deaths, 1890-1976

    John married Sarah California Howard on 28 Jul 1881 in San Augustine City Cemetery, San Augustine County, Texas. Sarah was born on 27 Apr 1853 in San Augustine County, Texas; died on 10 Jan 1936 in San Augustine, Texas; was buried in Chapel Hill Cemetery, San Augustine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  2. 5.  Sarah California Howard was born on 27 Apr 1853 in San Augustine County, Texas; died on 10 Jan 1936 in San Augustine, Texas; was buried in Chapel Hill Cemetery, San Augustine County, Texas.
    Children:
    1. 2. Deal L. Fussell was born on 28 Jul 1887 in Sabine County, Texas; died on 7 Jul 1962 in Kirbyville, Jasper County, Texas; was buried in Magnolia Springs Cemetery, Magnolia Springs, Jasper County, Texas.

  3. 6.  Alfred D. Causey was born on 1 Sep 1869 in Sabine County, Texas (son of Solomon Causey and Harriet Louisa Harvey); died on 16 Apr 1912 in Texas; was buried in Milam Cemetery, Milam, Sabine County, Texas.

    Notes:

    His marker at the Milam Cemetery was erected by the Woodmens of the World, and in the enusing years it has toppled.

    Alfred married Kate Blanche Speights. Kate (daughter of Joshua Hopkins Speights and Sarah "Sallie" Jane Youngblood) was born on 1 Jul 1871 in Texas; died on 2 Mar 1899 in Sabine County, Texas; was buried in Milam Cemetery, Milam, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  4. 7.  Kate Blanche Speights was born on 1 Jul 1871 in Texas (daughter of Joshua Hopkins Speights and Sarah "Sallie" Jane Youngblood); died on 2 Mar 1899 in Sabine County, Texas; was buried in Milam Cemetery, Milam, Sabine County, Texas.

    Notes:

    The photo of her headstone, in Milam Cemetery, shows she was the wife of A. D. CAUSEY, and that she was born 1 July 1872 and died 2 Mar 1899.

    http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=54446744

    Notes:

    Married:
    Sabine County Marriages 1875-1900, 1900-1910, Prior to 1875 by Blanche Toole, 1983, Library of Congress #82-84531: pg. 6, Causey, Alfred to Kate B. Speights 8 July 1890 by J. B. Larkin, M.G

    Laura Buckmaster lists his middle name as DAVENPORT. She also shows he married Katie Blanche Speights, a daughter of Joshua Hopkins SPEIGHTS and Sallie YOUNGBLOOD, and that they were the parents of Sally Louise CAUSEY, the wife of D. B. FUSSELL.

    Sabine County Marriage records show that an Alfred Causey did marry Kate B. Speights, and this is also supported by their tombstones at Milam Cemetery. She is shown as the wife of A. D. Causey, and his is inscribed "Twas hard to give theeup but they will O God be done." The tomb was installed by Woodmen of the World.

    http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=causey&GSiman=1&GScid=2166680&GRid=54446698&

    And Alfred being the father of Sally seems to be supported by the census listing below, although his birthdate on his tombstown is shown as 1 Sept 1869, and below it is shown as May 1870.

    1900 Census
    Texas, Sabine, Milam Pr. 4
    Enumerated 22 and 23 Jun 1900
    SD 8 ED 41 Sheet 12A Stamped 140
    207-207
    E. Ney and Lizzie Rennels, plus 4 children
    Causey, Alfred Boarder W M May 1870 30 Wd Tx Tx Tx
    Causey, Sally Boarder W F May 1891 9 S Tx Tx Tx Tx
    Barlow, Albert Lodger W M May 1830 70 S Tx Tx Tx

    However, the tree compiled by Sharon Speights Varnes instead shows that Alfred and Kate were the parents of a Florence Causey, who married J. W. PARKIN. "Florence Causey Parkin that writes letter in Shawnee Boswell Osborne book. Her address in 1966 was 5915 Parkdale, Dallas, Texas 75227. In letter dated Nov. 29, 1964 she says that she is 68 (that would make it abt 1896 and I have her born June 20, 1886!) and her husband is 79."

    http://bellsouthpwp2.net/W/G/WGVMan/generation06cont.html

    This alternate theory fits with the 1910 census. Again, there are slight differences, namely that Alfred's middle initial is shown as A versus D, and his age again differs, and has children living with him that were not present with he and Sally at the time of the 1900 census.

    1910 Census
    Texas, Sabine County, JP 4
    Enumerated 12 May 1910
    SD 2 ED 134 Sheet 17A Stamped 167
    254-259
    Causey, Alfred A. Head M W 38 Wd Tx US US Farm Laborer (born ca 1872)
    Causey, Ettie Dtr F W 15 S Tx Tx Tx
    Causey, Florence Dtr F W 13 S Tx Tx Tx
    Causey, Alfred Son M W 10 S Tx Tx Tx

    It appears likely that Alfred was actually the father of all four children, Sally (born ca 1891), Ettie (born ca 1894-1895), Florence (born ca 1896-1897), and Alfred (born ca 1897-1900)? At the time of the 1900 census, a 4 year old Florence Causey was living in Sabine County (Milam Pr. 4, HH 63/63) with Robert J and Martha Speights. Her date of birth was shown as Apr 1896, and her relationship was listed as "Cousin." In household 62/62, that of Frank and Margaret Andrews, two other Causey children were listed, shown as a niece and nephew, namely 6 year old Mary (born Jan'y 1894) and 2 year old John A. (born July 1897)---perhaps Mary Ettie and John Alfred? After the death of his wife, the younger children may have been taken in by relatives, with just his eldest daughter remaining in the care of her father, thus the separated family in 1900?

    And in by 1910, Sallie had married, as seen below, and the younger children had moved back in with their father, as seen above.

    1910 Census
    Texas, San Augustine County, JP 1
    Enumerated 28 Apr 1910
    SD 2 ED 127 Sheet 9A Stamped 205
    137-143
    Fussell, D. L. Head M W 22 M1 0 Tx Tx Tx Farmer
    Fussell, Sallie Wf F W M1 0 0/0 Tx Tx Tx

    Children:
    1. 3. Sally Louise Causey was born in May 1891 in Sabine County, Texas; died on 11 Apr 1972 in Jasper County, Texas.
    2. William Gordon Causey was born on 24 Sep 1892 in Sabine County, Texas; died on 31 May 1897 in Sabine County, Texas; was buried in Milam Cemetery, Milam, Sabine County, Texas.
    3. Mary Ettie Causey was born about 1894-1895 in Sabine County, Texas; and died.
    4. Florence Causey was born on 12 Apr 1896 in Sabine County, Texas; died in Dec 1983 in Kirbyville, Jasper County, Texas.
    5. Rev. James Alfred Causey was born on 14 Jul 1897 in Sabine County, Texas; died in Jan 1963 in Texas; was buried in Rosevine Cemetery, Rosevine, Sabine County, Texas.


Generation: 4

  1. 8.  Edwin Alexander Fussell was born about 1830 in Georgia; died on 4 Mar 1906 in Nacogdoches County, Texas; was buried in Spring Ridge Cemetery, San Augustine County, Texas.

    Notes:

    Gwen Goff Hobbs shows him as the son of John R. FUSSELL and Sarah CORKERN.

    Edwin married Lenora Jane Moore on 13 Sep 1849 in Washington Parish, Louisiana. Lenora was born about 1835 in Mississippi; died on 25 Jan 1906 in Nacogdoches County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  2. 9.  Lenora Jane Moore was born about 1835 in Mississippi; died on 25 Jan 1906 in Nacogdoches County, Texas.
    Children:
    1. William L. Fussell was born on 16 Aug 1850 in Washington Parish, Louisiana; and died.
    2. Warren L. Fussell was born on 17 Aug 1852 in Washington Parish, Louisiana; and died.
    3. Stephen A. Fussell was born on 2 Nov 1854 in Washington Parish, Louisiana; and died.
    4. Laura C. Fussell was born on 24 May 1857 in Washington Parish, Louisiana; died on 18 Jul 1888 in San Augustine County, Texas; was buried in Spring Ridge Cemetery, San Augustine County, Texas.
    5. 4. John Andrew Fussell was born on 21 Mar 1859 in Washington Parish, Louisiana; died on 15 May 1935 in San Augustine, San Augustine County, Texas.
    6. Sarah Geneva Fussell was born about 1862 in Louisiana; and died.
    7. Benson Byron Fussell was born on 7 Jan 1865 in Louisiana; died on 17 Sep 1949 in San Augustine, San Augustine County, Texas; was buried on 18 Sep 1949 in Chapel Hill Cemetery, San Augustine County, Texas.
    8. Josephine D. Fussell was born in Nov 1867 in Louisiana; and died.
    9. Florence A. Fussell was born on 30 Dec 1871 in Louisiana; died on 30 Nov 1957 in Nacogdoches County, Texas.
    10. Luvenia J. Fussell was born about 1873 in Texas; and died.
    11. Henry D. Fussell was born about 1879 in Texas; and died.

  3. 12.  Solomon Causey was born about 1816 in Mississippi; died after 1870 in Texas.

    Notes:

    Per the "1850 Census Sabine Co, Texas with added family information and corrections" Solomon Causey owned 2 slaves and his mother Nancy owned 3.

    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.

    Virgie Speights writes that they were an early pioneer family, "the Causeys being in Sabine County nearly as long as anybody. Early deeds writtn about 1830 or earlier mention them living at Pendleton or thereabouts, they came to Texas from South Carolina."

    The Sabine County Reporter
    October 22, 2014
    Pages 1 and 2

    "Milam Cemetery receives marker"

    The Texas Historic Cemetery Dedication Ceremony for Milam Cemetery took place on Saturday, October 11, following the annual Nethery reunion...local historian Weldon McDaniel....gave a presentation outlining some of the significant historical events that took place in Milam and the importance of preserving the history of Milam Cemetery. He said as many as 85 percent of all early settlers coming into Texas put their boots in red dirt. Although San Augustine and Nacogdoches counties have a friendly battle over which is older, Milam is just as old as either of them....

    Dorothy Nethery Spain had the honor of reading the script engraved on the marker:

    "Milam, the first County Seat of Sabine County, has a history of travelers and visitors stretching back centuries. Native Americans and Spanish exploreres, soldiers and missionaries passed through and often camped on Las Boregas Creek. Texian settlers encountering the natural abundance echoed the words of Stephen F. Austin, who recorded in his diary entry of July 16, 1821: "We then suddenly came to an open rolling country thinly timbered soil about the color of Spanish browne, and in some places redder. This Red Land is very productive and is covered with the most luxuriant growth of grass I ever beheld in any country." The settlment first called Red Mound (Red Mount) was the seat of Government for the Sabine District since 1822, and was surveyed as a town site in 1828.

    Milam Cemetery is on a high hill overlooking the historic community. The exact dated of the first burial will never be known Spanish Explorers were passing through present-day Milam as early as 1539 and camped on Las Boregas Creek a few hundred yards west of the cemetery. Local hisorians believed Anglo burials occurred here probably as early as 1775, since travelers used the campsite down the hill on the Las Boregas. The land on which the cemetery is located was granted to JOHN SMITH on Feb. 26, 1835. The first marked burial is dated 1864, although more than 100 unmarked graves are suspected. The numerous military Veterans dating back to the Creek War are interred here, as well as prominent early citizens from the CAUSEY, WEATHERRED. McGREW, and NETHERY families. Milam Cemetery may be the oldest organized cemetery in Sabine County, and cherished chronicle of generations of visitors and residents."


    (Research):

    Census Listings:

    1850 Census
    Texas, Sabine County, Sabine District
    Enumerated 6 and 7 Nov 1850
    199-199
    Solomon W. Causey 34 M Farmer 1000 Miss
    Martha Ann Causey 12 F Miss
    Alphia E Causey 10 F Tx
    William E Causey 4 M Tx
    Mary V. Causey 6/12 F Tx
    Nancy Causey 67 F SC

    1860 Census
    Texas, Sabine County, Milam Beat, PO Milam
    Enumerated 12 Jun 1860
    Page 2, Stamped 318
    7-7
    Solomon Cawsey 44 M Farmer 1000 2625 Miss
    Harriet L. Cawsey 34 F $--- $1320 La
    William M. Fullen 16 M Tx
    John W. Fullen 12 M Tx
    William E Cawsey 12 M Tx
    Sebern J. Cawsey 2 M Tx
    Geo W Cawsey 1/12 M Tx

    1870 Census
    Texas, Sabine County, Beat No. 2, PO Sabine Town
    Enumerated 23 July 1870
    Pages 1 and 2 Stamped 7
    320-320
    Causey S 50 M W Farmer 300 600 Miss
    Harriet L 43 F Keeping House La
    Solomon J 13 M Tx
    George W 10 M W Tx
    Margeret 4 F W Tx
    Alfred D 1 M W Tx
    Williams Harriet 30 F B Domestic Servant Ga
    Robert H 5 M B Tx
    Virginia 1 F B Txs



    Solomon married Harriet Louisa Harvey before 1860. Harriet (daughter of Seth Harvey and Zelotus Margaret Ann Boyd) was born about 1828 in Louisiana; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  4. 13.  Harriet Louisa Harvey was born about 1828 in Louisiana (daughter of Seth Harvey and Zelotus Margaret Ann Boyd); and died.

    Notes:

    On the Lemon/Limon Tree at WorldConnect, she is instead shown as Harriett Slaughter.



    (Research):

    Census Listings:

    1880 Census
    Texas, Sabine County, 4th Precinct
    Enumerated 15 Jun 1880
    Page 4 SD 1 ED 86
    39-39
    Causey, Harriet L W F 52 Farming La NC NC
    Causey, George W M 20 Son Works on Farm Tx Miss La
    Causey, Margret W F 14 Dtr At Home Tx Miss La
    Causey, Alfred D W M 10 Son Works on Farm Tx Miss La

    Children:
    1. George Washington Causey was born on 12 May 1860 in Sabine County, Texas; died on 18 Jun 1922 in Texas; was buried in Milam Cemetery, Milam, Sabine County, Texas.
    2. Margaretta Louise Causey was born on 27 Apr 1866 in Sabine County, Texas; died on 26 Oct 1935 in San Augustine, San Augustine County, Texas; was buried in Milam Cemetery, Milam, Sabine County, Texas.
    3. 6. Alfred D. Causey was born on 1 Sep 1869 in Sabine County, Texas; died on 16 Apr 1912 in Texas; was buried in Milam Cemetery, Milam, Sabine County, Texas.

  5. 14.  Joshua Hopkins SpeightsJoshua Hopkins Speights was born on 7 Dec 1819 in Macon, Bibb County, Georgia (son of William Myrick Speights and Rebecca Hopkins); died on 25 Aug 1889 in Sabine County, Texas; was buried in Speights Cemetery, Sabine County, Texas.

    Notes:

    "Joshua Speights was very prominent in early Sabine County history, founding, together with Hampton Pratt, the first store in Hemphill. He also served as Chief Justice of Sabine County and as Senator in the Texas Legislature." (White and Toole)

    SABINE COUNTY REPORTER 19 October 1994, Page 5 Oil Painting of Judge Speights is donated to county museum

    The Sabine county Museum and the Virgie Speights Memorial Library has received a gift from Mr. and Mrs. James C. Vanderbilt of an oil painting of Judge Joshua H. Speights.

    James, a great-grandson of Judge Speights,painted the portrait from a black and white copy of a picture taken of the Judge found in the archives of the Texas Legislature in Austin.

    Joshua, a citizen of the Republic of Texas, served Sabine County in District #22, State Legislature 1853-1854, and 1859-1860, and also served as Judge of Sabine County 1877-1882. he was also a merchant, lawyer, physician, and farmer though not at the same time.

    James and Marguerite Vanderbilt have been patrons of the museum and library from the beginning. They have given gifts of family heirlooms, valuable books and many mementos honoring Joshua H. Speights, his mother Rebbecca Hopkins Speights, and their descendants and relatives. James Vanderbilt spent a year studying and working for the British National Gallery in London, England. He retired form the Navy after World War II as a Lt. Commander. His hobbies are many but oil painting is his first love.

    The Sabine County museum is very proud to have the portriat and is open Wednesday and Fridays and by appointment to visitors.

    SABINE COUNTY REPORTER 27 March 2002, Page 9 SRT honors Vanderbilt with memorial

    On Saturday, Oct. 13, 2001, the Sabine District Chapter #33 of Sons of the Republic of Texas (SRT), dedicated an SRT memorial medallion at the grave of James C. Vanderbilt, deceased member of the chapter.

    The unveiling ceremony of the historic marker was held at the Ft. Jesup National Park and Cemetery near Many, LA, in Sabine Parish. Sabine County Sheriff's Department proved the firing of the military salutes fo the occasion and the Sabine Parish Sheriff's Department provided an escort to the cemetery.

    Vanderbilt was born April 15, 1915 in Ft. Jesup, LA. He was named at birth "Voyght Willard Boswell" and later changed his name to match his professional name as an artist.

    James C. Vanderbilt was the great-grandson of Joshua Hopkins Speights, who came to Sabine County in approximately 1841. He was a professional artist and a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Navy.

    Vanderbilt was a strong patron of the arts and was dedicated to preserving our history and culture. He was a key person in the founding of the Virgie Speights Memorial Library and Museum in Hemphill. He and his wife donated many gifts to enhance and maintain the Library and Old Jail Buildin

    Vanderbilt was a tireless worker and patron of the Sonoma Depot Museum in Sonoma, CA, where he lived for many years. His paintings and art illustrations for the movie industry, plus his gifts to preserve history will be enjoyed by future generations.

    This is believed to be the first medallion dedicated outside of Texas.....Recognition of descendants and acceptance of the marker was conducted by Bill Speights. Speights and J.E. Gooch unveiled the marker.

    From the SSDI: JAMES C VANDERBILT 15 Apr 1915 11 May 1998 (V) 95476 (Sonoma, Sonoma, CA) (none specified) 550-28-5822 California

    Joshua married Sarah "Sallie" Jane Youngblood before 1870. Sarah (daughter of Henry Youngblood and Sarah Miller Harvey) was born on 1 Sep 1840 in Louisiana; died on 25 Aug 1899 in Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  6. 15.  Sarah "Sallie" Jane Youngblood was born on 1 Sep 1840 in Louisiana (daughter of Henry Youngblood and Sarah Miller Harvey); died on 25 Aug 1899 in Sabine County, Texas.

    Notes:

    Know all men by these presents, That I Sarah Youngblood of the aforesaid State and County in consideration of the love and affection I have for my daughter Sarah J. Speights wife of Joshua H Speights of the same place have given granted bargained sold and released and by these presents do give grant and bargain sell and release unto her my said Daughter Sarah J. Speights all that certain lot or parcel of land lying in the State and County aforesaid in the Town of Hemphill and known and designated on the plot or map of said Town as lot number one (1) in Block number thirty five (35) comprising the entire North half of said Block number thirty five. Together with all and singular the rights members hereditaments and appurtenances to the same belonging or in anywise incident or appertaining, to have and to hold all and singular the said premises unto the said Sarah J. Speights her heirs and assigns forever. And I do hereby bind myself my heirs & executors and administrators! to warrant and forever defend all and singular the premises aforesaid unto the Sarah J Speights her heirs and assigns against every person whomsoever lawfully claiming or to claim the same or any part thereof. Witness my hand and scrawl for seal this the 28th day of August A. D. 1872

    Signed and sealed and delivered in presence of Sarah Youngblood (Seal)

    Drayton Pratt J. B. Bonneau M.D.

    Charles Royall cnroyall@wcc.net

    Children:
    1. 7. Kate Blanche Speights was born on 1 Jul 1871 in Texas; died on 2 Mar 1899 in Sabine County, Texas; was buried in Milam Cemetery, Milam, Sabine County, Texas.