Drayton Bennett Speights, Jr.

Family/Spouse: Patsy Ruth Kelley. Patsy was born on 7 Jun 1931 in Houston, Harris County, Texas; died on 11 Apr 2007 in Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Sabine County Reporter
August 10, 2005

"On the Bright Side: "I Remember" Part 2"
By Mary Howell

He taught school in Rosevine and served as County School Tax Assessor. Drayton had an uncanny sense of humor and loved to pull pranks on his friends. One time he even master-minded the building and landing of a UFO and even put a letter written in a foreign language in his contraption. He situated it so that his croquet-playing friends would find it. News of Hemphill's UFO spread like wildfire throughout East Texas.

Drayton married Virginia "Virgie" Louise Collier on 10 Dec 1928. Virginia (daughter of Nathan Plympton Collier and Lula Blanche Chambers) was born on 18 Jul 1908 in Many, Sabine Parish, Louisiana; died on 8 Feb 1986 in Sabine County, Texas; was buried in Speights Cemetery, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Charter Member of James F. Gomer Chapter of the Daughters of the Repubic of Texas (White and Toole)

Notes:

(Research):Census Information:

1930 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Justice Precinct No. 1
Enumerated April 28 and 29 by Hugh M. Ireland
ED 202-3 SD 19th Sheet 20A Stamped 42
62-65
Speights. Tom G. Hd M W 45 M20 Tx Tx Tx Farmer
Speights, Arlis Wife F W 45 M 20 Tx Tx Tx
Speights, Elton Son M W 17 S Tx Tx Tx
Speights, Anna Dtr F W 14 S Tx Tx Tx
Speights, Rudolph Son M W 12 S Tx Tx Tx
Speights, John H Son M W 9 S Tx Tx Tx
Speights, Sallie L Dtr F W 6 S Tx Tx Tx
Speights, Gloria Dtr F W 1 S Tx Tx Tx

Thomas married Arley Emmaline Bennett on 12 Jul 1905. Arley (daughter of Jesse Archibald "Archie" Bennett and Anna Eliza Huffman) was born on 16 Mar 1885 in Texas; died on 3 Oct 1964 in Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas; was buried in Speights Cemetery, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

An actual copy of her Texas Death Record can be viewed online at FamilySearch.org, Texas Deaths, 1890-1976. She is shown as the daugbhter of J. A. Bennett and Anna Huffman, and is listed as widowed, and a housewife and mother. The informant was D. B. Speights, presumably her eldest son. Her first name is shown as Arley, though some other sources show her as Arlis.

(Medical):See attached sources.

Notes:

At the time of the 1930 census, he was a roomer in a large hotel/boarding home in Zwolle, Louisiana. He was shown as age 47, married 25 years, and was working as a barber. His other family members were not with him at this residence.

Name: Nathan Plympton Collier
Death Date: 02 Jun 1960
Death Place: Marshall, Harrison, Texas
Gender: Male
Race: White
Death Age: 77 years
Estimated Birth Date:
Birth Date: 06 Jun 1882
Birthplace: Milam, Texas
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name:
Father's Name: William T. Collier
Father's Birthplace:
Mother's Name: Louisa West
Mother's Birthplace:
Occupation: Barber
Place of Residence: Marshall, Harrison, Texas
Cemetery: Greenwood Cemetery
Burial Place: Marshall, Texas
Burial Date: 03 Jun 1960
Additional Relatives:
Film Number: 2116477
Digital Film Number: 4166555
Image Number: 1775
Reference Number: FN66526
Collection: Texas Deaths, 1890-1976


(Research):

Census Listings:

1920 Census
Texas, Harrison County, JP 3, Marshall City
Enumerated 13 Jan 1920
SD 326 ED 54 Sheet 11A
East Ave
403-225-249
Collier, N. P. Head M W 36 M Tx Ga Tx Barber Own Shop
Collier, Blanche Wf F W 30 M Tx Tx Tx
Collier, Virgie Dtr F W 11 S La Tx Tx
Collier, Nina Dtr F W 9 S La Tx Tx
Collier, Theo Son M W 6 S Tx Tx Tx

Nathan married Lula Blanche Chambers on 2 Jun 1907 in Sabine County, Texas. Lula (daughter of Nathaniel Berrian Chambers and Margaret "Mittie" Louisa Bennett) was born on 8 Feb 1889 in Isla, Sabine County, Texas; died on 24 Dec 1962 in Marshall, Harrison County, Texas; was buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Marshall, Harrison County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

A copy of her actual Texas Death Certificate can be viewed online at FamilySearch.org, Texas Deaths, 1890-1976. She is listed as a daughter of Nathan Chambers and Margaret Louise Bennett. The informant was Theo Collier, a son. She was a housewife, and resident of rural Marshall, Route #4, Fern Lake Cutoff, at the time of her death.

Name: Lula Blanche Collier
Death Date: 24 Dec 1962
Death Place: Marshall, Harrison, Texas
Gender: Female
Race: White
Death Age: 73 years
Estimated Birth Date:
Birth Date: 08 Feb 1889
Birthplace: Isla, Sabine Co, Tex
Marital Status: Widowed
Spouse's Name:
Father's Name: Nathan Chambers
Father's Birthplace:
Mother's Name: Margaret Louise Bennett
Mother's Birthplace:
Occupation: Housewife
Place of Residence: Marshall, Harrison, Texas
Cemetery: Greenwood
Burial Place: Marshall, Texas
Burial Date: 26 Dec 1962
Additional Relatives: X
Film Number: 2117173
Digital Film Number: 4028527
Image Number: 1200
Reference Number: cn 80362
Collection: Texas Deaths, 1890-1976


(Medical):See attached sources.

Notes:

(Research):
Census Listings:

1900 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Precinct 1
Enumerated 4 Jun 1900
SD 8 ED 68 Sheet 1A Stamped 92
4-4
Speights, John W Hd W M Oct 1856 M 16 Tx Miss Miss Farmer
Speights, Sallie Wf W F July 1865 34 M 16 5/5 Tx Ga Tx
Speights, Tom G Son W M Feb 1885 15 S Tx Tx Tx Farm Laborer
Speights, Dora E Dtr W F Feb 1886 14 S Tx Tx Tx
Speights, Orin W Son W M Feb 1887 13 S Tx Tx Tx Farm Laborer
Speights, Mermod L Son W M Dec 1891 8 S Tx Tx Tx
Speights, Buford A Son W M Jan 1898 2 S Tx Tx Tx

John married Sallie Wilson on 20 Jan 1884 in Sabine County, Texas. Sallie (daughter of William Cregg Wilson and Bethie "Bettie" H. Lawhorn) was born in Jul 1865 in Texas; died about 1904 in Texas; was buried in Speights Cemetery, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
Some researchers show that they also had a daughter named Emily Ann that died young.

In an article dated September 12, 1963 about Susan Arnold Nichols, Virgie Speights stated that on one trip home "they stopped by the home of a cousin, out on Palo Gaucho Creek, Dr. Johnny Speights and his wife, Sally Wilson Speights." Susan was the daughter of Jim Arnold, and granddaughter of Hanna Davis and J. M. Arnold. He was also a godson of Cadwaller Davis and Amelia Lee. (Speights, Old Timers of Sabine County, p. 21).

Notes:

An actual copy of his Texas Death Certificate can be viewed online at FamilySearch.org, Texas Deaths, 1890-1976. He was listed as married to Anna Eliza Bennett, and a son of Adam Jackson Bennett (born Pennsylvania) and Jane Harvey (born Alabama). His usual occupation was that of a lifelong Farmer (retired in October 1930). The informant was Mittie Easley of Yellowpine, Texas, a daughter.


(Research):

Census Listings:

1910 Census
Texas, Sabine County, JP 1
Enumerated 2 May 1910
SD 2 ED 131 Sheet 12A Stamped 177
191-193
Bennett, Jesse A Hd M W 45 m1 25 Tx La La Farmer
Bennett, Anna E. Wf F W 43 M1 25 5/5 Tx NC Ga
Bennett, Posey A Son M W 18 S Tx Tx Tx Laborer Home Farm
Bennett, Mittie A Dtr F W 15 S Tx Tx Tx
Bennett, Zina B. Dtr F W 12 S Tx Tx Tx
Bennett, Benjamin P Son M W 7 S Tx Tx Tx
Davidson, Henry hirehand? M W 28 S Tx Ga Tx Laborer General Farm

(Medical):See attached sources.

Jesse married Anna Eliza Huffman. Anna (daughter of Christopher "Kit" Bryant Huffman and Angelina Jones) was born on 16 Mar 1866 in Texas; died on 12 Jan 1948 in Sabine County, Texas; was buried in Hemphill City Cemetery, Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

(Research):

Census Listings:

1900 Census
Louisiana, Sabine Parish, Ward 4, Many
Enumerated 4 Jun 1900
SD 4 Ed 91 Sheet 24B
Dillon Ave
63-64
Collier, Wm T Head W M Nov 1851 48 M 22 Miss Ala Miss Barber
Collier, Louisier Wf W F July 1859 40 M 22 7/6 Tx Mass Va
Collier, Nathan P Son W M Jun 1882 17 S Tx Miss Tx
Collier, Allie Dtr W F Mar 1890 10 S La Miss Tx
Collier, William T Jr Son W M May 1893 7 S La Miss Tx
Collier, George A Son W M Jan 1896 4 S La Miss Tx
Collier, Thomas J Son W M aug 1899 6/12 S La Miss Tx

William married Louisa Dexter West on 11 Dec 1877 in Sabine County, Texas. Louisa (daughter of Nathaniel Plympton West, M. D. and Amanda Melvina Evans) was born on 27 Jul 1857 in Burkeville, Newton County, Texas; died on 4 Apr 1930 in Many Cemetery, Sabine Parish, Louisiana; was buried in Many Cemetery, Sabine Parish, Louisiana. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

From FindAGrave:

2 Apr 1935 - Mrs. W. T. Collier, widow of the late W. T. Collier, passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. E. O. Daily, April 4, after several months illness, being confined to her bed about two weeks. She was 76 years, nine months and eight days of age.

Mrs. Collier was Miss Lula West of Milam, Texas, before her marriage to W. T. Collier, later moving to Many, where they made their home and reared a very large family, all of whom survive with the exception of one child that died in infancy. She affiliated herself with the Methodist church soon after moving to Many and has been a very devoted Christian mother, training her children in
the principles of right living and also being the very best of neighbors, exemplifying the saying " Let me live by the side of the road and be a friend to man."

The surviving children: W. P. Collier, Marshall, Texas; W. T. Collier, Mooringsport, La.; G. A. Collier, Hemphill, Texas; Mrs. E. O. Daily, Many, La.; Mrs. C. W. Johnson, Robeline, La.; and T. J. Collier, Oklahoma, all of whom were present except T. J. Collier.

The active pallbearers were Boyd Harris, Elden Dees, Edd Curtis, Henry Lee Hester, Jimmie Hays and Edwin Fraser.

Interment was made in the Many cemetery.

Notes:

Married:
They are shown on the 1900 census as having 7 children, six still living at that time. The seventh child may have been a daughter names Nina/Nina Pearl, born ca 1879-1880. Not verified.

Notes:

(Research):

Census Listings:

1880 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Fifth Precinct
Page 27 SD 1 ED 86
Enumerated 6 July 1880
235-235
Chambers, Nathan W M 28 Farmer Tx Ga Ga
Chambers, Margaret W F 23 Wf Keeps House Tx Ga Ga
Chambers, Adam W M 4 Son Tx Tx Tx
Chambers, Allen W M 2 Son Tx Tx Tx

Nathaniel married Margaret "Mittie" Louisa Bennett on 8 Oct 1874. Margaret (daughter of Adam Jackson Bennett and Mary Jane Elizabeth Harvey) was born on 5 May 1857 in Texas; died on 4 Dec 1923 in Texas; was buried in Bennett Cemetery, Milam, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

She is not listed with the rest of Adam Jackson Bennett and Mary Jane Harvey Bennett family as the time of the 1860 Sabine County Census. Might she actually be the daughter of another Bennet family? She is shown, however, by both White & Toole and Kay Parker McCary as a daughter of Adam Jackson Bennett and Mary Jane Elizabeth Harvey Bennett.


(Research):

Census Listings:

1900 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Precinct 5
Enumerated 12 Jun 1900
SD 8 ED 72 Stamped 153
166-166
Chambers, ??? Head W M Jun 1849 50 M 28 Tx Ga Ga Farmer
Chambers, Rosa Wf W F Feby 1852 48 M 28 7/7 Ga Ga Ga
Chambers, Joel Son W M Mar 1880 20 S Tx Ga Ga Farm Laborer
Chambers, Horace Son W M Feb 1882 18 S Tx Ga Ga Farm Laborer
Chambers, Sidney Son W M Oct 1883 16 S Tx Ga Ga Farm Laborer
Chambers, Clara Dtr W F Aug 1885 14 S Tx Ga Ga
167-167
Chambers, Margaret Head W F May 1857 43 Wd 11/10 Tx Miss NC Farmer
Chambers, Nathan B Son W M Dec 1881 18 S Tx Ga Tx Farm Laborer
Chambers, Clara P Dtr W F Feb 1884 16 S Tx Ga Tx
Chambers, Ada Dtr W F Sept 1886 13 S Tx Ga Tx
Chambers, Blanche Dtr W F Feb 1889 11 S Tx Ga Tx
Chambers, Jackson Son W M July 1890 9 S Tx Ga Tx Farm Laborer
Chambers, Bessie Dtr W F Feb 1893 7 S Tx Ga Tx
Chambers, Oliver Son W M Sept 1895 4 S Tx Ga Tx
Chambers, Henry Son W M Feby 1897 3 S Tx Ga Tx
Wiggins, Hob Servant W M ??? 32 Wd Tx Tx Miss Servant
Wiggins, Kirby Boarder W M Jan 1897 s 3 Tx Tx Tx

1910 Census
Texas, Sabine County, JP 4
Enumerated 4 May 1910
SD 2 ED 134 Sheet 11A Stamped 161
160-164
164-169
Chambers, Margaret L Head F W 45 Wd Tx US US Laborer working on farm
Chambers, Jack Son M W 22 S Tx Tx Tx Farm Laborer

1920 Census
Texas, Sabine County, JP 5
Enumerated 20 and 21 Jan 1920
SD 326 ED 172 Sheet 18A
242-246
Chambers, Mrs. M. B. Head F W 62 Wd Tx La SC Farmer
Sanders, Ada Dtr F W 34 Wd Tx Ga Tx
Chambers, O.A. Son M W 24 S Tx Ga Tx
Sanders, Melva Son M W 13 S Tx Tx Tx
Sanders, Arlie Dtr F W 6 S Tx Tx Tx
Sanders, Evon Dtr F W 4 9/12 S Tx Tx Tx