Viola Evon McLemore

Notes:

Evon was a tiny baby, weighing only 2 and 1/2 pounds a few days after birth. Considering she was born and cared for at home, and not in an incubator, it is a tribute both the Evon's spirit and her mother's loving care that she not only survived but flourished. In describing her infant daughter's size, Nina used to relate that "her face was smaller than a half dollar, and I could have put her in a coffee pot, and still closed the lid." Evon picked out her own name when she was old enough. She liked the sound of Yvonne, but wasn't sure of the spelling. She was listed as Eva V. on the 1920 census.

When Evon started school, she arrived everyday atop a pony led by her brother Percy. Evon's father also thought it important that his daughter be exposed to culture. When she was a young girl, she weekly took the train 10 miles from Steep Creek to Bronson in order to take piano lessons. Most weekends were spent "visiting." Evon has close relations with her many cousins still today.

She attended her primary years of school in rural Sabine County, but attended High School in San Augustine County. Her father paid for her to board at the home of Dr. Davis in the winter, so she could to this. Evon was active in school, perfoming in piano recitals and playing the lead character in the 1932 Senior Class play, "Oh, Kay!"

News clipping
(dated 3-28-1929, newspaper not referenced)

Steep Creek Club
The Steep Creek 4-H girls met on March 26. Seven girls were present.

The following officers were elected:

Evon McLemore, President; Rosa Henley, Vice President; Lois Powell, Sec'y; Bonnie Wilson, Reporter. An apron was cut out.

Bonnie Wilson, reporter.

San Augustine Tribune
Thursday, May 26, 1932, Vol. XXIV, Number 9

School Term Brought to Successful Close

Thursday night at the high school auditorium the commencement exercises were attended by a large crowd....A piano solo was skillfully rendered by Evon McLemore, class musician....diplomas were presented by R. V. Greer, superintendent of the local schools to the following candidates:
Randolph Hankla, Charles S. McMillan, Willys G. Blount, Sam Henry Williams, Lois Marie Thompson, A. C. Everett, Evon McLemore, Willie Mae Stevenphson, Geneva Stallings. Earl McEachern, Hoyt J. Alford, Sidney Westbrook, Allene Stewart, Ruby Mitchill, Mildred Whitton, Clifford Childers, Bonnie Partin, Zelma Soward, Alran Hays, James Bridges, Helen Alford and Early Needham.

After Evon graduated from San Augustine High School, she went on to Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches. She became a teacher, majoring in Home Economics and minoring in English. The college classmate that was her best friend was Merlene McLemore, a cousin.

Vessie was able to help his daughter get a job teaching in Chinquapin through a friend of his who was school trustee. She later taught in nearby Broaddus.

Soon after Evon started teaching in Broaddus, Dale Tisdale's mother called her son, who was working in Lawrenceville, Indiana, to tell him that "there were some attractive new teachers in town, and he ought to come home soon for a visit." He did, and fell promptly in love with Evon.

Evon continued to teach after her marriage, while Dale managed his parents store. During World War II, Evon moved to Fort Worth while Dale was in the service. She taught a small school district just outside of the city. They also briefly lived in San Antonio. The Tisdale's returned to East Texas, and Dale opened a small general store in Zavalla.

She returned to Stephen F. Austin and received her Master's in Education in 1951. After the Tisdale's moved to Lufkin, Evon obtained a teaching position at Hudson High School. She remained there until she retired in 1972. Her daughter, Jan, began teaching Spanish at the Hudson in 1971, the year before her mother retired.

She loved music, art and the natural world. She had a beautiful soprano voice and was a member of the Angelina County Choir for a number of years. She was good at creative arts, and especially loved China painting. She participated in this after her retirement, as well as traveling with Dale and Bob with the AirStream Travel Trailer club. She was an active member of the Timberland Drive Church of Christ.

Both Evon and Dale were instrumental in the formation of the Angelina County Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC) and supporters of the Lufkin Workshop and Opportunity Center.

Obituary

Evon McLemore Tisdale, 93, of Lufkin, was born November 6, 1914, in Bronson, Texas, the daughter of the late Nina (Fuller) and V.E. McLemore. She passed away Saturday, October 18, 2008, in a local nursing facility. Mrs. Tisdale graduated from San Augustine High School and Stephen F. Austin State University. She married Dale Tisdale, the love of her life, on January 8, 1938. She taught at Hudson Elementary School until 1972. She supported the Lufkin Workshop & Opportunity Center and the Burke Center. She was a member of Timberland Drive Church of Christ. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Janet and A. E. "Pete" Peterson of Lufkin; son, Bob Tisdale of Lufkin; granddaughter, Sheryl Falk and her husband Richard Retz of Houston; grandson, Lee J. Rawcliffe of Houston; brother and sister-in-law, Tom and Bonnie McLemore of Houston; sisters-in-law, Opal McLemore of Nacogdoches and Bobbie McLemore of San Augustine; and numerous nieces, nephews and many dear friends. Mrs. Tisdale was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 51 years, Dale Tisdale; brothers, Percy McLemore, Earl McLemore and Lynn McLemore, all of San Augustine, and Ray McLemore of Nacogdoches. Expressions of sympathy in Mrs. Tisdale's memory may be made to the Burke Center, 4101 S. Medford, Lufkin, Texas 75904; or to Hospice in the Pines, 116 S. Raguet, Lufkin, Texas 75904. Services for Mrs. Tisdale will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, October 22, 2008, in the Gipson Funeral Home Chapel, with Mr. Harold Hancock officiating. Graveside services will follow at 4 p.m. Wednesday in the Broaddus Cemetery. Gipson Funeral Home; Duane Hills, director.

Source:
http://legacy.com/LufkinDailyNews/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonID=119099748

Nearly identical notices were published in the October 23, 2008 issue of the San Augustine Tribune, on Page 11, and in the October 29 issue of The Sabine County Reporter, page 15.

Viola married Memmon Dale Tisdale on 8 Jan 1938 in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana. Memmon (son of Isaac Memmon Tisdale and Dora Beard) was born on 27 Jul 1911 in Manning, Angelina County, Texas; died on 30 Jul 1990 in Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches County, Texas; was buried in Broaddus Cemetery, San Augustine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Living
2. Robert Dale Tisdale was born on 23 Feb 1957 in Lufkin, Angelina County, Texas; died on 24 Aug 2012 in Lufkin, Angelina County, Texas; was buried in Broaddus Cemetery, San Augustine County, Texas.

Notes:

Vessie McLemore grew up on his parent's farm in the first precinct of Sabine County. The adjoining farm was owned by his Uncle, Henry Strickland White, Jr. The 1900 census indicates that Vessie, who was 15, could read and write, and that he has attended three months of school that year, as had his brothers Rufus and Earnest. His daughter Evon has a class picture of Vessie from around this period. Evon said that Vessie didn't have much of a formal education, and probably stopped attending school altogether around this time. Vessie's wife, Nina, told her granddaughter Melinda that he even taught school for a time, however Evon doubts that this was so. The 1940 Federal Census indicates he had graduated from the Seventh Grade. His wife, Nina, had made it through only Six years of schooling.

When Vessie was 22, he married Nina Fuller,who was 16. On the 1910 Sabine County census they were shown living on a home farm in precinct six, near both Joe Fuller (Nina's father) and John and Jane Fullen (her mother's parents). Nina was shown as being the mother of two children, neither of them living. Nina's first pregnancy ended in a miscarriage, and her next three babies died shortly after they were born. Her first child lived only 10 weeks. Evon said that Nina and Vessie's baby slept in their bed with them, as was the custom of the time. One morning when they woke up, the baby was dead. Tera Fuller, Nina's sister, reported that Nina always worried that she had somehow accidentally caused the babies death, maybe by rolling over it. Evon conjectured that the baby probably died of SIDS, which her mother had never heard of. The second baby lived only a day. In 1911, they had a third baby which also lived only one day. The three babies are buried side by side.

In 1913, Nina and Vessie's son Percy was born. Over the next six years, the McLemore's had three more children, daughter Evon and sons' Earl and Ray. Vessie owned a store in Steep Creek, a sawmill village eight miles south of San Augustine. He also raised cattle. He regularly published a small advertisement in the 1918 Sabine County newspaper, offering a reward for any stray cattle returned to him. His brand was VM on the hip. He later adopted the "Running M" as his brand. Evon remembers her father buying a Brahma Bull, in an effort to improve his herd. Most of the ranchers in Sabine County didn't fence in their cattle, they allowed them to freely roam about to forage for food. Evon remembers people being afraid of the "Brimmer." He wasn't a particularly mean bull, he was just so different from the east texas scrub cattle that everyone raised. Tom McLemore, Evon Tisdale and Melinda Strong had a conversation in November, 2002 with Vance Hargrove that came around to the subject of Vessie's missing cattle. Vance was a neighbor of the McLemore's when they lived in Bronson, and a good friend of Percy's. He said that Vessie asked he and Percy one day to go looking for several cattle that were missing. They found evidence that some of the laborers in the nearby saw mills had been poaching from Vessie's herd. They told Vessie they had found cattle bones in the yards of some of the workers, workers who looked to be half-starved. Vessie said they probably were half-starved, and told the boys not to report their findings to the sheriff.

A son of Enlow Birdwell relayed a similar story to Tom McLemore in September, 2007, at the funeral of Lynn McLemore. He recalled that Enlow had killed one of Vessie's cows and was taking it home to feed his family. He was caught in the act by Vessie. He confessed to what he had done, and said that he was only doing so because his family had done without for a long time, and were starving. Vessie told him to take the beef home and use it as he intended, but added, "let this be the last one of my cows that you steal." It was. When times became more prosperous, Enlow began raising a small herd of cattle of his own. He went to Vessie to borrow some money to get a start. Vessie gave him one of his checkbooks, and told him to simply use it as he needed, he trusted Enlow and knew together they could keep an accurate accounting of what he borrowed. Enlow often told his family that Vessie was the one who helped him get a start in life, and that he especially valued the trust he showed in him.

Vessie's older children attended their primary grades in Sabine County, but had to commute to San Augustine for High School. Evon says that during the winter, she and her brothers boarded with the family of Dr. Davis, who lived nearby the school. In the late 1920s, the family moved to San Augustine. Evon remembers that her mother suffered another devasting miscarriage, which nearly killed her. A few years later, Nina's youngest children were born, son Tommy in 1931 and son Lynn in 1933. They lived in a house Vessie renovated just off Main Street, and had a small home farm. Evon remembers her father first built a garage, and they slept and cooked in this until he had finished with the house. Their home was still standing in 1997. Even the roof is the same one Vessie laid. It is now the second house on the left, on present day Whitton street. It is a block away from the local elementary school. Tom remembers an indigent Civil War veteran, in his late eighties, who his father took into their home. Tom vividly recalls the stories he told about the war each night at dinner.

In the December 21, 1939 issue of the San Augustine Tribune, V.E. McLemore offered a $5.00 reward to anyone who found his dun muley cow branded "M" on the left loin. Around 1940, Vessie sold their house in the city, and bought some ranch land several miles outside of town.

Vessie's brothers and sisters used to say, admiringly, that "Vessie could stand on the corner and make money." He was an industrious man, with a strong enterpreneurial bent. His first job was working in the sawmills, with his brother, Rufus. But Vessie hated working for others, and saved up enough money to buy a general store in Steep Creek. This was around the time of World War I. It was a rough part of town, and he had both black and white laborers from the sawmills as customers.

The sheriff was a frequent visitor to the store. Evon remembers him always having a kind word and a piece of candy for her. He had a reputation for brutality however, and she recalls that he and a brother were eventually sent to jail after being convicted of murder. One day, the sheriff came to the store asking about a particular Negro laborer. Vessie said he hadn't seen him in days. The sheriff asked Vessie to call him the next time this man came in, telling Vessie he intended to kill him. Vessie went home and discussed the sheriff's threat with Nina, worrying about what he should do. In the middle of the night he got dressed, and tracked the man down in his home. He warned him of the sheriff's threat. The man pawned his pocket watch to Vessie, then and there, and used the money to flee town. He succesfully escaped the sheriff and was never heard of again. Vessie later gave the pocket watch to his son Earl. After Earl's death, his children gave this watch to their Uncle Tom, and Tom eventually passed this keepsake down to his eldest daughter, Melinda. It was a brass plated Studebaker watch from the South Bend Watch Company, and widely sold by mail order in the 1920's. These watches were sold on credit, and could be purchased with a down payment of $1. With the onset of the Depression, the company found itself with many delinquent accounts and was forced to close. (http://www.pocketwatchrepair.com/histories/southbend.html)

After the mill near Steep Creek closed, Vessie was also forced to close his store. His family feared that they'd soon be in the poorhouse. But Vessie continued to prosper. He worked as a rancher primarily, leasing and operating land in Pearsall, Garwood and in various sites throughout South and East Texas. He operated up to 20,000 acres at any given time. He also owned and operated a cotton gin and a meat processing plant. He involved his children in all these ventures. He was well known in the community for his willingness to extend credit or make loans to poor families, black or white. Tom McLemore recalls from looking at a lot of the notes he had drawn up that he charged from 6% to 10% compound interest. He was good fried to Will Wade, proprietor of the City Cafe, and W.J. (Wade) McClanahan, Deputy Sherriff of San Augustine.

Vessie felt a strong committment to provide for his family. Before he died, he built a home for each of his eldest four children, as well as giving them each 50 acres of land. He left his homestead and 400 acre ranch, jointly, to his two youngest sons.

When Vessie was in his forties, he was gored by a bull on the ranch. The wound was just under his left eye. He suffered from nearly incapacitating headaches for the rest of his life. In 1950, he had several massive strokes, and was unable to function normally after that. His wife nursed him at home until he died from a brain aneurysm in 1952.

Although Vessie didn't have much formal education, he was an extremely intelligent man. Tom and Evon remember that he read widely. Vessie's daughter, Evon, was the first of the family to graduate from college. She attended Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches, where she received a degree in education. She remembers coming home one weekend from college, and her father asked her to check something he had prepared. He had calculated the compound interest that was due on a loan he had made. She told him she didn't know how to do this. "What am I sending you to college for" he grumbled, "if they can't even teach you to calculate compound interest."

His obituary was published in the local papers, as well as in the January 23, 1952 issue of the Houston Post.

Written by Melinda McLemore Strong, granddaughter, circa 1995 and revised periodically

(Research):
Census Listings:

1910 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Pr 6
Enumerated 11 May 1910
SD 2 ED 133 Sheet 32A
209-209
McLemore, Vessie Head M W 24 M1 2 Tx US US Farming Home Farm
McLemore, Nina Wf F W 18 M1 2 2/0 Tx Ga Tx

1920 Census
Texas, Sabine County, JP 6
Enumerated 2 Jan 1920
SD 326 ED 173 Sheet 1A
Bronson Road
2-2
McLemore, Vessie E Head M W 34 M Tx Ga Tx Farmer
McLemore, Nina O Wf F W 28 M Tx Ark Tx
McLemore, Percy L Son M W 6 S Tx Tx Tx
McLemore, Evaughan V Dtr F W 5 S Tx Tx Tx
McLemore, Earl Son M W 3 3/12 S Tx Tx Tx
McLemore, Ira Son M W 1 4/12 S Tx Tx Tx

(Medical):artherio sclerosis, hypertension

Vessie married Nina Ophelia Fuller on 7 Nov 1907 in Many, Sabine Parish, Louisiana. Nina (daughter of Joseph Thomas Fuller and Viola "Ola" Fullen) was born on 15 Sep 1891 in Rosevine, Sabine County, Texas; died on 8 Jul 1980 in Lufkin, Angelina County, Texas; was buried in Rosevine Cemetery, Rosevine, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Nina Fuller was a striking. She was nearly six feet tall and slender. When she unwound her hair from the bun she usually wore, it cascaded down her back almost to her feet. She enjoyed gardening and quilting, growing most of her own vegetables. She was a thrifty woman. She continued to make her own soap from lye, pine rosin and "fat cracklings" even when she could just as easily purchased a bar at the store.

Being the oldest daughter, Nina helped her mother daily with the household chores. She remembers that when she was quite young, her parents went to the State Fair in Dallas by horse and buggy. They came home with a washboard and a box of packaged laundry soap. Nina claims they were the first family in Sabine County to have a washboard, and remembers neighbors coming by on wash day just to see how it worked. The 1940 census indicates she had attended school for six years.

She was a staunch member of the Rosevine Church of God. She truly believed in doing good works, and never turned away anyone in need. Her son Tom remembers that their home was on the "hobo circuit" during the depression. He often passed men asleep on a spare mattress in their garage on his way to school. She fed everyone who came to their door hungry, and made regular visits to the local nursing home to take food to friends and relatives.

Nina Sue Wade, who was a backdoor neighbor to the McLemore family when they lived in town, recalls that her mother relied on her more experienced neighbors parenting advice. The Wade family had several young children, mainly very active boys, with Nina being the oldest. Mrs. Wade worked hard to keep her rambuctious children in line, to no avail. Mrs. McLemore advised her to ignore the minor infractions. Nina Sue recalled her mother often quoting a saying Mrs. McLemore told her, "When your children are young, they step on your shoestrings. When they get older, they step on your heartstrings." She would go on to advise her to cherish her children while they were young and full of spirit, because she would miss them sorely when they were grown and on their own.

Nina McLemore was an independant woman, living alone in a house her brother Lonzo built for her after her husband died. She lived next door to her son Percy, and her grandson's Dental Office was directly behind her home. She was able to live at home and care for herself until she was in her mid 80's, when she went to live with her daughter Evon.

Written by Melinda McLemore Strong, granddaughter, circa 1995 and revised periodically

(Medical):cerebral arteriosclerosis

Notes:

Married:
Nina's mother died six months after Nina's Fifteenth birthday. As the oldest girl, and second of eight children, all the day to day household tasks of caring for their large family immediately fell to her. To make matters worse, Nina's father had relatives who had moved to the fertile lower Rio Grande Valley to farm. They encouraged him to move down there as well. He had made several trips down to visit them, and to inspect land. Nina was desperately afraid of leaving her beloved east Texas.

About this same time, Nina met Vessie McLemore met at a church revival. They enjoyed each other's company, and began secretly corresponding with each other. Vessie soon proposed, and in November 1907, they snuck across the river to Many, Louisiana and eloped. Nina had turned sixteen years old not quite two months earlier. Nina told her granddaughter, Melinda, that she and Vessie had only seen each other twice in person before their marriage. A photo exists that appears to be their wedding picture. Vessie is wearing a dark suit with a white shirt and white bow tie, and Nina in a white dress, with a large flower in her hair.

Witnesses at their wedding were, H. E. White, presumably Henry Ernest White--Vessie's first cousin-- and A. McGown [likely either Albert or Andrew McGown, brothers who lived nearby the young couple in Geneva, Texas].

The license was filed for record on 14 July 1908 in Volume 3, Page 272 of the Marriage Records of Sabine Parish, Louisiana by W. E. McNuly, clerk, oper J. J. McNuly, Deputy.

Joe Fuller was not pleased with his daughters elopement. For at least several months after their wedding, the young couple avoided him. Rumors abounded that he might shoot Vessie on sight. Jan Tisdale, another granddaughter, remembers similar stories. Jan said that Nina's younger sisters were especially saddened by the hasty marriage. They lost both their mother and older sister in less than a year.

Written by Melinda McLemore Strong, granddaughter, circa 1995 and revised periodically

Notes:

Finn's middle name could have been Fenton (based on a poll tax receipt from Jasper) or Finerel (based on the middle name of his son, Rufus) or Finn, as he was commonly called.

At the time of the 1880 census, he was widowed, and living in the home of his in-laws with his young daughter.

He was a farmer. On the 1900 Sabine County census, he is shown in household 22, next to the Henry S. White family, his wife's brother. Household 36 is that of Thomas E. McLemore, his half brother.

Finn died in at the home of his son, Vessie McLemore. Vessie and Nina had been caring for him. Granddaughter Evon remembers she and some cousins going out into the woods to gather wildflowers for him while her father built a coffin. Her father and his brothers took the coffin by cart to the Gravel Hill cemetery a few days later.

(Research):Census information:

1880 Census
Census Place:Precinct 3, Jasper, Texas
Source:FHL Film 1255313 National Archives Film T9-1313
Page 14 Relation Sex Marr Race Age Birthplace
J.F. MCLEMORE Self M W W 25 Texas Occ: Laborer Fa: AR Mo: GA
Vilona MCLEMORE Dau F S W 7 M Texas Fa: Texas Mo: MS
Frances WIGLEY Self M M W 69 GA Occ: FarmerFa: VA Mo: VA
Sarah WIGLEY Wife F M W 67 SC Occ: Keeping House Fa: SC Mo: SC
Martha WIGLEY Dau F S W 31 MS Occ: At HomeFa: GAMo: SC
Alexander WIGLEY Son M S W 25 Texas Occ: Printer Fa: GA Mo: SC

1900 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Pr 1
Enumerated 5 Jun 1900
SD 8 ED 68 Sheet 2A Stamped 93
22-23
McLemore, John Head W M Dec 1853 46 M 17 Ga NC NC Farmer
McLemore, Ruth T Wf W F Dec 1859 40 M 17 7/6 Tx Miss Miss
McLemore, Vessie E Son W M Feb 1885 15 S Tx Ga Tx Farm Laborer
McLemore, Rufus F Son W M July 1886 13 S Tx Ga Tx Farm Laborer
McLemore, Earnest Son W M May 1887 13 S Tx Ga Tx Farm Laborer
McLemore, Mellie Dtr W F Feb 1891 9 S Tx Ga Tx
McLemore, Ira Son W M Jan 1896 4 S Tx Ga Tx

1910 Federal Census
Texas, Sabine County, JP 1
Enumerated 16 Apr 1910
SD 2 ED 131 Sheet 1B
Milam Road
12-13
McLemore, John F. Head M W 51 M2 26 Ga Ga Ga Farmer
McLemore, Ruth T Wf F W 50 m1 26 8/7 Tx Ala Miss
McLemore, Ernest E Son M W 20 S Tx Ga Tx Farmer
McLemore, Mellie M Dtr F W 19 S Tx Ga Tx
McLemore, Elvie R Dtr F W 16 S Tx Ga Tx
McLemore, Ira W Son M W 14 S Tx Ga Tx Laborer Farm
McLemore, Emma L Dtr F W 9 S Tx Ga Tx

John married Rutha Triphene White on 11 Dec 1883 in Sabine County, Texas. Rutha (daughter of Henry Strickland White, Sr and Mary Etta "Polly" Vardeman) was born on 27 Dec 1859 in Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas; died on 11 Jun 1939 in Sabine County, Texas; was buried in Gravel Hill Cemetery, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

According to her obituary, Ruth White McLemore "slipped in her home in Hemphill, and fractured her left thigh on June 2nd. She was carried to . . . hospital in Jasper (and then) transferred here to the home of her son, Mr. V.E. McLemore of San Augustine, where she passed away on June 11, 1939. She was born December 27, 1859 at Hemphill. She joined the Baptist church when a young girl and was a faithful Christian worker all of her life. She married to J.F. McLemore on December 13, 1883 and was the mother of eight children, four boys and four girls. Six children survive: namely V. E. McLemore, San Augustine; Earnest and Ira McLemore, Miss Mellie McLemore, and Mrs. Herman Commack of Gravel Hill, and Mrs. Mermon Speights of Hemphill. She is also survived by seventeen grandchildren and three great grandchildren. In addition to relatives, local people attending the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. T.F. Read, Mr. and Mrs. E.B. Jacks, Mr. and Mrs. John D. Clark, Mr and Mrs W.F. Stephenson, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Burkhalter, Mrs. Rosalie Polly, W.L. Polly, Mr. and Mrs. Rob Horn, Mr. and Mrs. J.J. Mitchell, Mrs. E.M. Boyett, Theo Boyett and others."

Melinda McLemore Strong has a maroon and white quilt made by Ruth circa 1880. At Ruth's death, the quilt was passed on to her daughter Millie. Millie added a calico border to the quilt edges which had apparently frayed. At Millie's death, the quilt was passed to her older brother, Vessie McLemore. After Vessie and Nina died, Evon McLemore Tisdale used the quilt. She later gave it to her niece, Melinda McLemore Strong.

(Research):Triphene is a "pseudo-classical" name, often whimsically given to the third child in a family.

Notes:

At the time of the 1900 census, he was living between his older brother William and his wife's parents, John and Jane Fullen.

The following obituary was published regarding the death of Joseph Fuller:

Funeral services for Joseph Thomas Fuller, 81, were held at the Church of God at Rosevine, Thursday, November 30 at 2:00 o'clock. He died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Grover Eddings, in Rosevine on Tuesday, November 28 at 7:00 pm after a prolonged illness.

Services were conducted by Rev. C.S. Singleton officiating and assisted by Rev. Clarence Howell. Burial was in the Rosevine cemetery under the direction of the Wyman Roberts Funeral Home.

Mr. Fuller moved to Texas at the age of two. He was born at Malvern, Arkansas November 4, 1869. He was married to Alice Pointer March 27, 1917. He had been a member of the Church of God for the past 37 years.

Surviving are: wife, Mrs. Alice Fuller; four daughters: Mrs. V.E. McLemore of San Augustine, Mrs. Grover Eddings of Rosevine. Mrs. O.H. Williams of East Bernard, Mrs. W.D. Cousins of Sarepta, LA; two step daughters Mrs. Denton Kerr of Houston, Mrs. Hamp Woods of San Augustine; three sons L.A. of Hemphill, Herman of Rosevine and J.S. of San Antonio, five step-sons: Enlow Birdwell of San Augustine, Estes Birdwell of Chinquapin, Oscar Birdwell of San Augustine, W.M. Pointer of Big Lake and M.B. Pointer of Corpus Christi; 23 grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, 29 step grandchildren, and seven great-great grandchildren.

Pallbearers were: Dale Tisdale, Buddy Pointer, Fred Ellison, Elo Finderson, Henry Marshburn and Louis McDonald.

(Research):
Census Information:

1900 Census
Texas, Sabine County, JP 6
Enumerated 9 Jun 1900
SD 8 ED 70 Sheet 6B
99-99
Fuller, Joseph Head W M Sept 1870 29 M 11 Ark Ark Ark Farmer
Fuller, Ola Wf W F Feb 1874 26 m 11 7/6 Tx Tx Tx
Fuller, Alonzo Son W M July 1890 9 S Tx Ark Tx
Fuller, Nina Dau W F Nov 1891 8 S Tx Ark Tx
Fuller, Price Son W M Feb 1894 6 S Tx Ark Tx
Fuller, Brooks Son W M Mar 1895 5 S Tx Ark Tx
Fuller, Ethel Dau W F Feb 1897 3 Tx Ark Tx
Fuller, Bertha Dau W F Feb 1900 5/12 Tx Ark Tx

1910 Federal Census
Texas, Sabine, Precinct No. 6
Enumerated 11 May 1910 Fred Berryman
SD 2, ED 122, Stamped 148
215-215
Fuller, Joe T Head M W 40 M2 0 Ark Ga Ga Farming
Fuller, Blanche Wife F W 28 M2 0 4/4 Tx Tx Tx
Fuller, Alonzo A Son M W 19 S Tx Ark Tx Farming At home
Fuller, Price J Son M W 17 S Tx Ark Tx
Fuller, John B Son M W 15 S Tx Ark Tx
Fuller, Ethel Dtr F W 13 S Tx Ark Tx
Fuller, Bertha Dtr F W 10 S Tx Ark Tx
Fuller, Tera M Dtr F W 8 S Tx Ark Tx
Fuller, Herman Son M W 6 S Tx Ark Tx
Birdwell, Vertie O Step Dtr F W 5 S Tx Tx Tx
Birdwell, Oscar E Step Son M W 2 S Tx Tx Tx

1920 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Justice Precinct 6
Enumerated 2 January 1920 by Jesse L. Mosley
SD 326 ED 173 Sheet 1A
3-3
Fuller, Joseph Hd M W 50 M Ark Ga Ga Farmer
Fuller, Alice J Wife F W 35 M Tx Tenn Tex
Fuller, Bertha L Dtr F W 19 S Tx Ark Tx Teacher
Fuller, Tera M Str F W 12 S Tx Ark Tx
Fuller, Herman J Son M W 16 Tx Ark Tx Farm Laborer
Fuller, Jos S Son M W 8 S Tx Akr Tx
Pointer, Edna A StepDtr F W 18 S Tx Tx Tx
Pointer, Mannie Stepson M W 8 S Tx Tx Tx

(Medical):arteriosclerosis, Rheumatoid arhritis

Joseph married Viola "Ola" Fullen on 22 May 1889 in Sabine County, Texas. Viola (daughter of John W. Fullen and Jane Allen) was born on 29 Feb 1872 in Sabine County, Texas; died on 1 Mar 1907 in Sabine County, Texas; was buried in McMahan's Chapel Cemetery, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Evon Tisdale gave Melinda McLemore Strong a brown dress with black ribbons that had belonged to Viola. It is in very fragile condition.

Her tombstone is inscribed "Resting in Heaven"

Notes:

Married:
J.T. Fuller and Viola Fullen were married by S.D. Harp, J.P. Beat No 6, Sabine County, Texas on May 22, 1889. A copy of their marriage certificate was filed on the 8th day of June, 1889 by W.T. Arnold, County Clerk for Sabine County.

In his "Farm Corner" column (clipping not dated), Joe Combs wrote: "Recently (I) had the pleasure of meeting Lonzo A. Fuller of Hemphill. He was at the desk of Otis A. Fullen, president of the Security State Bank. The thought occurred that changing the last letter of either name would change the name to either Fuller or Fullen. Being a little curious a few questions were asked, and it developed that Mr. Fuller and Mr. Fullen are related. "Yes," said Mr. Fullen, "we came from the same stock. In fact, Mr. Fuller's great grandfather was also my great grandfather. Right there the Fullers and the Fullens got mixed up in such a way that most of them in the Hemphill region are kinfolk." Mr. Fullen explained further that one of the families often became enamored of one of the other families, and a marriage took place. The fact that only one letter of the alphabet had to be changed to make the bride's name fit that of the groom's may or may not have had its influence upon courtships. Mr. Fuller is a builder in the Hemphill region, and also does some farming. He said that his great grandfather was somewhat of a builder also. He says the first house ever built in Sabine County that had a brick chimney was built by great grandfather Fuller sometime about 1840. "That old house just wouldn't fall down," says Mr. Fuller, "and fire finally had to get rid of it. And as proof of the quality put in brick chimneys of that day, the old chimney is still standing as a silent reminder of a day that is gone." {Note: Since John Fuller didn't move to Sabine County until 1870, it is most likely that it was Lonzo's other great grandfather John/James? Fullen who built the above mentioned house in 1840...proof that those pesky "n's" and "r's" are indeed easily confused}.

Joe and Viola Fuller had eight children before Viola died in 1907. Joe married twice more, to Blanche Birdwell (a widow with children). Blanche and Joe had two children of their own before she died. Joe's final marriage was to Alice Pointer, also a widow with children, in 1917. He and Alice were married for over 30 years until his death.

Notes:

It is assumed that since John McLemore, at a relatively young age, was married to Sarah Morgan of Sampson County, NC that he was also almost certainly a native of Sampson County, NC himself. It further appears, based on the 1840 head of household census, that he was probably already living with the Morgan family by 1840, when he would have been just 18. It is not known if he and Sarah were already married, or if he was simply a farm hand. Furthermore, an analysis of all the McLemore families in Sampson County, NC (both through and examination of census enumerations and land transfer deeds) indicate that if John McLemore was indeed from Sampson County, he would almost certainly have to be a son of Tobias McLemore. There is no other family into which he would fit. This relationship is therefore based on circumstantial evidence, and is not absolutely certain. Any additional information, which would either help prove or disprove this relationship, is most welcome. Please email: strong@texas.net

In a letter written by Johnnie Mae Speights, she recounted a story told by her Uncle Ira "...his father ran away from home at age 14 in the dark of night because he was smoking in the barn and set it on fire and it burned up, horses and all." Henry McLemore heard a slightly different version of this story. As told to him by Ira's son, DeFord "...the father was a mean drunk. He came home with a group of men after a night of heavy drinking. He woke him up in the middle of the night and ordered him to go tend to the horses. He stumbled out in the dark to the barn to do this. As he was working, one the horses kicked over a lantern, and the barn started on fire. Scared to death of his facing his father's wrath, he jumped onto a horse and took off, never looking back."

According to Nan McCoy Kittell of Jasper, a descendant of John McLemore, it was actually John McLemore (our common ancestor), and not his son John Finn, "who ran away after burning down the barn." Nan also thinks John may have had the middle initial "M", but does not know what that stood for. Nan's mother, who also did much research on this branch of the McLemore family, noted that "John left S. C. (sic) with an older brother when he was 16 years old."

Jim White, also a McLemore family researcher,stated that a databse he had access to noted a Philadelphia Insurance company (Pioneer) which had records of a claim on a Barn owned by Tobias McLemore for $203 around 1830. He also referenced the Draper papers for this claim.

John and Sarah McLemore can first be positively identified on the 1850 Decatur County, Georgia federal census. John McElmore, a 28 year old Farmer born in North Carolina, is shown with wife Sarah (age 24, also born in North Carolina) and children William (age 5), James (age 3), and Sarah (11 months), (household #516-516). All the children were shown on this census as being born in Georgia. Based on the relatively young ages of John and Sarah at the time of the birth of their eldest son William, it was likely a first marriage for them both. It is not known if they married in North Carolina, Georgia, or elsewhere. It further appears they were in Georgia by about 1845, based on William's age. No other McLemore's were found on the Decatur 1850 census.

Just a few homes away from them in 1850 were Sarah's parents, Daniel and Mary Morgan. The Morgan family can be found in Sampson County, North Carolina at the time of the 1830 and 1840 census. Additionally, when the 1840 Sampson County census was taken, Daniel and Mary Morgan had an otherwise unaccounted for "male between 15-20" living with them. It is presumed this was their son-in-law/son-in-law to be, John McLemore, who was said to have "run away from home" circa 1836.

John McLemore and family followed the Morgan family from Decatur County, Georgia to Newton County, Texas sometime after 1850. Sarah died either enroute, or shortly after arriving to Texas.

Per a marriage license on file in Jasper County, "John McLemore married Sarah Ann Boit (Boyett) on July 26, 1859". Based on the ages of the five children listed with them on the 1860 Newton County, Texas Census, they would have all been his from his first marriage to Sarah Morgan. The children shown on the 1860 census were William H (age 14), James H (age 12), John F (age 7), Daniel F (age 3), and Mary A (age 2). William and James had both appeared on the earlier 1850 Decatur County, GA census. Sarah, who had been shown as an 11 month old toddler in 1850, but not on this subsequent census, had apparently died.The family was located in adjacent Jasper County, Texas at the time of the 1870 census.

Nan Kittell located the following land record from Newton County:

No. 79, Vol. 29 In the Name of the State of Texas. To all to whom these presents shall come, know ye, I Sam HOUSTON, Governor of the State of Texas 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 John MacLAMORE assignee of James A. WALTERS his heirs or asigns forever, 160 acres of land situated and described as follows. In Newton County on the waters of Slaydons Creek a tributary of Sabine river 17 mile S.16 degree W. from Newton by virtue of Premption Certificate No. 5 issued to John MacLEMORE as assignee of James A. WALTERS by the Chief Justice of Newton County 20th day of December 1858. Beg. at a stake on the W. line of H. KELLY's 160 acre survey...and on the N.line of L. DONAHOS 1/2 league survey..... Hereby relinquishing to him the said John MacLEMORE and his heirs or assigns forever all the right and title in and to said land, heretofore 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 Genral land office. Done at the City of Austin on the 6th day of February 1860. Francis M. WHITE, Comm. G.L. Office Sam HOUSTON, Gov. Filed--Sept 24th, 1860 at 2 p.m. Recorded--Vol. "C" p 534

On October 7, 1874, John sold this same 160 acres of land to James R. RICHARDSON for $1 an acre. John apparently could not write, as he signed the land conveyance with his mark. His name on this document was spelled as "McClemore."

Even after his second marriage to Sarah Ann Boyett, there continued to be a close connection between John McLemore and the Morgan family. Robert Lee McLemore sent me copies of deeds from the late 1860's in which Malichi Morgan, Kizzie Kelly, and John McLemore transfered property they jointly held to Dunkin and Eliza Morgan. Furthermore, J.F. and Mary Ann McLemore were mentioned by name as grandchildren of Daniel and Mary Morgan in a deed dated January, 1889. Dorine Speights also wrote that "Aunt Julie Morgan was closely related to Pap (Finn McLemore). He and mother used to go by buggy to Jasper to see her." From Jasper Cemetery records, it appears numerous members of both the McLemore and Morgan family are buried near each other at the Zion Hill Baptist Church Cemetery in Jasper. The Zion Hill Baptist Church is the oldest Protestant Church in Jasper County.

John McLemore died in January 1891. In 1899, Sarah Ann applied for a Widow's Pension, based on John's service in the C.S.A. Her application stated that John served in Co K, Speights Regiment, 21st Texas from the fall of 1864 to the Spring of 1865.

The War Department indicated, however, that there were "no rolls on file in this office of Company K, 21st Texas Infantry, C.S.A., and no record has been found of the service, capture or parole of a man named John McLemore, as a member of this organization." Sarah's original application (File No. 2267) was rejected on September 28, 1899. Sarah reapplied for a pension almost 10 years later, in October of 1907. On this application she indicated that John served for about 3 years, from April 1862 to 1865. Both J. W. Claud and M. Morgan testified that they had served alongside him. This application (File No., 13383) was approved in March, 1908. Sarah Ann died sometime shortly thereafter.

In Zion Hill Cemetery is a double tombstone reading simply: McLemore
John Sarahan E.
Father Mother
Age 70 Age 70

Written by Melinda McLemore Strong, circa 1998 and revised periodically

(Research):Census Information:

1830 Census (p 186) Tobias MacLemor
Sampson County, NC

2 males under the age of 5 <---Maybe Redden and Tobias, Jr.
1 male between 5-10 <---(Appears to have been the John McLemore b. ca 1822 who married Sarah Morgan of Sampson County and later moved to Texas with the Morgans)
1 male between 15-20<---Could be either Amos (b ca 1813) who married JEMIMA SIMMONS or Raiford (b ca 1815) who married Polly UNDERWOOD
1 male between 40-50 <--Tobias (born between 1780 and 1790)

1 female under 5 <---Sarah?
2 females between 5-10
2 females between 10-15
1 female between 15-20
1 female between 40-50 <--his wife (born between 1780 and 1790)

1840 Census, Sampson County, North Carolina
(p. 9) Danl Morgan
1 male between 5-10 (Owen)
1 male between 10-15 (James)
1 male between 15-20 (This appears to have been JOHN McLEMORE, son-in-law of Daniel, who married his eldest child, Sarah. The date of their wedding is not known, so John may have actually been living with the family prior to his marriage to Sarah)
1 male between 40-50 (Daniel)
2 females between 5-10 (Dorcus, Elizabeth)
1 female between 10-15 (Sarah)
1 female between 40-50 (Mary)
Why isn't there a listing for a male, under the age of 5? (Daniel/David, born ca 1838)

1850 Census
Georgia, Decatur County, District 22
Enumerated 28 Aug 1850
Stamped 63
576-576
John McElmore 28 M Farmer N. ca.
Sarah McElmore 24 F N. ca.
Wm. McElmore 5 M Ga
James McElmore 3 M Ga
Sarah McElmore 11/12 F Ga
577-577
G. and Martha Boyet, Occ Miller, both born in Georgia
578-578
Daniel and Mary Morgan (the parents of John's wife, Sarah Morgan)

1860 Census
Texas, Newton County, Post Office Newton
Enumerated 3 July 1860
Page 25 Stamped 258
159-159
McLemore, John 37 M Farmer $470 $400 North Carolina
McLemore, Sarah A 23 F Alabama
McLemore, William H. 14 M North Carolina (?)
McLemore, James H. 12 M Georgia
McLemore, John T(F?) 4 M Georgia
McLemore, Daniel F. 3 M Georgia
McLemore, Mary A. 2 F Texas


1870 Census
Texas, Jasper County, Subdivision 23
Enumerated by T.J. Carraway on 9 July 1870
Page 16
#116-118 McLamo, John 48 M W Farmer $250 $100 North Carolina Can't read or write
" , Sarah E. A. 33 F W Keeping House Georgia Can't write
" , John F. 16 M W Farm Laborer Georgia Can't write
" , Daniel F. 14 M W Georgia Attended school, Can't write
" , Mary A 12 F W Texas Can't read or write
" , Thomas E 9 M W Texas
" , Samuel M 7 M W Texas
Enumerated by T.H. Carraway on 8 and 9 Aug. 1870
page 56
#428-430
" , Earnest E 6 M W Texas
" , Noah 4 M W Texas
" , Martha A 3 F W Texas
" , Julia 1 F W Texas

Note: The family was listed in two separate households, as shown above. It appears that this was simply a transcription error.

1880 Federal Census Census Place:Precinct 3, Jasper, Texas
Source:FHL Film 1255313
National Archives Film T9-1313 Page 14
RelationSexMarrRaceAgeBirthplace
John MCLEMORE Self M M W 61 NC Occ:FarmerFa: NC Mo: NC
Sarah Ann MCLEMORE Wife F M W 44 GA Occ:Keeping HouseFa: SC Mo: SC
Daniel MCLEMORE Son M S W 23 GA Occ:Works On FarmFa: NC Mo: NC
Thomas MCLEMORE Son M S W 19 TX Occ:Works On FarmFa: NC Mo: GA
Samuel MCLEMORE Son M S W 16 TX Occ:Works On FarmFa: NC Mo: GA
Earnest MCLEMORE Son M S W 15 TX Occ:Works On FarmFa: NC Mo: GA
Julia Ann MCLEMORE Dau F S W 11 TX Occ:At SchoolFa: NC Mo: GA
Eliza Jane MCLEMORE Dau F S W 9 TX Occ:At SchoolFa: NC Mo: GA
George W. MCLEMORE Son M S W 8 TX Occ:At SchoolFa: NC Mo: GA
Josephine WILSON Other F S W 14 TX Occ:At HomeFa: GA Mo: LA
(Josephine is a niece of John's first wife, Sarah Morgan)

(Medical):Y DNA Results, FTDNA Haplogroup:

R1b1c (R-M269)

A direct male descendant volunteered to have his DNA tested. The results can be found at www.ysearch.org, under the user ID #4E4HJ. The FamilyTreeDNA kit number is 33104.

A direct male descendant of John McLemore was a participant in the Morrison DNA study. This DNA was a high definition match to two other McLemore's (not previously proven to be related), as well as to a McElmurry from Kentucky. See the results for Group O at the following website:

http://www.geneticousins.com/morrison/

The McLemore's that he matched were (1) a descendant of Keton Jones McLemore, whom in 1850 lived just across the border from Sabine County, Texas, where some of John's descendants later settled and (2) Wright McLemore, born in North Carolina and living in Arkansas, next to Keton Jones McLemore, at the time of the 1830 census. The two matches are one-step and two-steps removed, respectively, at twenty five markers. The differences in both cases are on rapidly mutating markers.

According to FamilytreeDNA in Houston, the probability that the two DNA donors share a common ancestor, is as follows:

In comparing 25 markers, the probability of sharing a common ancestor within the last...

4 generations is
27.54%
8 generations is
58.22%
12 generations is
78.24%
16 generations is
89.3%
20 generations is
94.93%
24 generations is
97.66%

In addition to this above matches, the Wright McLemore, John McLemore, and Keton Jones McLemore descendants were also 12 marker Y DNA matches to a proven descendant of Abraham Macklemore, the immigrant, thought be a brother to James Macklemore, immigrant. This 12 marker match was through the line of Robert McLemore, born 1769 in North Carolina, a grandson of Abraham's.

Each of these matches, including the McElmurry, can be found indexed in these files.

The members of R1b are believed to be the descendants of the first modern humans who entered Europe about 35,000-40,000 years ago. Those R1b forebearers were the people who painted the beautiful art in the caves in Spain and France. They were the contemporaries (and perhaps exterminators) of the European Neanderthals. R1b is the most common Y haplogroup in Europe - more than half of men of European descent belong to R1b. Fourteen of the 30 most common haplotypes in the YSTR.org database are typical of R1b.

Edwin Holcombe writes that "the marker values...are close enough to modal values for Haplogroup R that there are matches to this family in Scotland, Ireland, England, and other locations in Europe even at 67 markers. The family's haplogroup is projected in the project Results listing to be R-L21, but this has not been confirmed by a SNP test. With the common values that this group has for its STR markers, SNP testing may be the key to learning more about the origins of this family through DNA research."

John married Sarah Morgan before 1844. Sarah (daughter of Daniel Morgan and Mary ???) was born about 1826 in North Carolina; died before 1859 in Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

No record of John and Sarah's marriage has yet been located. However, it can be proved by a Deed to John McLemore by the Heirs of Daniel Morgan, dated the Seventh day of January, A.D. 1889, Jasper County, Texas. It was filed for record Jan'y 8th 1889 at 10 o'clock am and recorded January 16th 1889 at 5 pm by AJ Rigsby, Clk. (Vol P, Page 367). This deed indicates that the "heirs at law of DANIEL MORGAN and MARY MORGAN deceased . . . . (include) the grandchildren of the said decedents, viz: J.F. McLEMORE and Mary Ann (McLemore) HORN and her husband Elma HORN... " John Finn and Mary Ann were apparently the only two of John and Sarah's six children still surviving in 1889.

Sarah apparently died sometime before John's remarriage in 1859, Nan Kittell indicated that she might have died in Alexandria, Louisiana, on the way to Newton County. As her youngest daughter, Mary Ann, was said to be born in Newton County, it would appear Sarah probably died shortly after the family arrived in Texas.

In a letter provided to me by Kenneth Morgan, written by Carolyn Lockhart, she indicated that Sarah's parents, Daniel and Mary Morgan, were "100% Cherokee Indian." She said that Sarah's sister, Elizabeth, instructed her children not to mention their heritage. Elizabeth, however, always wore fringe on her dresses to secretly remind herself of her Cherokee forebearers.

Her paternal line were said to have emigrated to the United States from Ireland or Wales, so the Native heritage was presumed to be maternal. Jo Ann Lee Gartig suggests she might actually have been associated with the Creek tribe, not Cherokee. However, mtDNA testing shows her direct maternal line was HV, a very common European marker, and not one associated with native heritage. It is possible she did indeed have some Native American ancestry, but if she did, it was not through either her direct paternal or direct maternal lines, and she was certainly not "100%."

Notes:

Married:
In a letter that Edythe McLemore McCoy wrote Sam McLemore in June, 1982, she indicated that "Your information was most helpful in that I went to the Genealogical Library in Beaumont and researched the 1850 Census in Decatur County, Georgia, where I found John McElmore (sic) and his wife, Sarah. They had three living children and may have had another one who died in infancy (before Finn was born in 1853). That would account for seven children including Dan and Mary Ann (the three that came to Texas). I will look for marriage records around 1844-1845 in Alexandria, La. Also, I plan to get in touch with a man in Crossett, Ark., who says his great granddad may have been a brother of John Mclemore who came to Texas."

Notes:

On the Sabine County 1854 Scholastic Census, H.S. White was shown as of household with five (5) children between the ages of 6 and 16 enrolled at School District No. 6. They were: Edward, Vardamenn, Mary, Hanibal, and Arrilla. Who was Arrilla, and who was her mother? Could this have been Hanzel, his daughter by Eliza Jones?

Henry S and Mary E White (third wife) were among the 11 founding members of the First Baptist Church of Hemphill, all of whom gathered on the banks of the Housen Bayou, drawing up 12 articles of Faith and 24 articles of Decorum. Henry served as the clerk to the church, recording all church proceedings for a period of some 12 years (from 1858 to 1870), as a delegate to church conferences, and as the moderator of church proceedings. In November, 1868, he was ordained as a Deacon of the Church. The MINUTES 1858-1890 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH HEMPHILL, TEXAS were transcribed and indexed by Di Ann Vick in 1982, and are available for purchase from both Ingmire Publications, 10166 Clairmont Dr St. Louis MO 63136 and Ericson Books 1614 Redbud St Nacogdoches, Texas 75961.

In 1876, H S and Mary E White left the First Baptist Church and were among the founding members of the Antioch Baptist Church in the Gravel Hill Community of Sabine County. According to a plaque on the front of the Antioch Church, J. S. Lambert and J J Roundtree were the organizers. Other founding members included: George Conn, John Anderson, T.D. Burkhalter, John De Weese, L.W. Hoard, Hosie Baldree, Ann Mason, Sophie H. Wallace, Mrs. C.A. Hoard, C. Baldree

Per the book "Sabine County Historical Sketches and Genealogical Records" by White and Toole, "Henry S. White Sr. was Judge of Sabine County from 1869-1875, serving with Solomon Arthur. (They were called Chief Magistrates until the new State Constitution went into effect at the end of their term). Henry S. White was also a member of the Littleton Fowler Masonic Lodge. As the White Plantation lay just west of Hemphill, he was one of the last of the "Paderos" for the return of run-a-way slaves."

I have been unable to locate a CSA service record for Henry. It is probable that he was considered too old for service, he was almost 50 at the outbreak of the war.

His tombstone indicates he was a Mason.

Note in the 1920 Sabine County, Texas federal census, there was a 50 year old mulatto farmer named Jesse White (#594-616). He noted that his father was born in Mississippi and his mother in Georgia. What is his relationship, if any, to the other White's in Sabine County, Texas?

(Research):
Census Listings:

1850 Census
Louisiana, Sabine Parish
13 Sept 1850
305-307
Henry White 37 M Farmer 900 Ga
Anne White 26 F Miss
H J 13 M Miss
Mary White 11 F Miss
Will White 8 M Miss
A. V. White 6 La
Edward White 3 M La
Jno. White 3/12 M La

1880 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Pr. No 1
Page 15C and 16D SD 1 ED 85 Stemped 231\\
Enumerated 26 and 28 Jun 1880
155-156
White, Henry S. W M 68 Farmer Ga Va Ga
White, Mary E W F 59 Wf Keeping House Miss Tn NC
Wallace, Sophia W F 30 StpDtr Farm laborer Miss --- ---
White, Eunice W F 28 Dtr Farm Laborer Tx --- ---
White, Ann E W F 25 Dtr Farm Laborer Tx --- ---
White, Ruth T W F 19 Dtr Farm Laborer Tx --- ---

Henry married Mary Etta "Polly" Vardeman after 1852 in Sabine County, Texas. Mary (daughter of Amaziah Vardeman and Una (Eunice) Carter) was born on 22 Sep 1820 in Mississippi; died on 9 Nov 1898 in Sabine County, Texas; was buried in Spring Hill Cemetery, Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

According the 1854 Sabine County Scholastic census, Mrs. Wallice had one daughter, Mary, enrolled in school.

Notes:

John Fuller and his wife, Mary, were both born in Georgia, as were their two oldest sons, James and John. They moved to Arkansas sometime before 1860, and can be found on the 1860 Columbia County census (P#435, Dwelling 321, Family 323). John is shown as a Farmer, owning $1,200 in real estate and $550 in personal property.

In the book "Sabine County Historical Sketches and Genealogical Records" by Edna McDaniel White and Blanche Finley Toole, there is a picture of John and Mary Fuller. John is shown in uniform, with a long rifle. Private John B. Fuller is shown as a member of the 26th Arkansas Infantry, Capt. Hamiter's Company G. He enlisted on May 22, 1862 in Lewisville, Arkansas for a period of 3 years. The muster roll's show him present through April 30, 1863. In June, 1863, he was inexplicably dropped from the roll by order of Lt. Genl Holmes. However, he was shown as present on the muster rolls for December 31, 1863 through February 29, 1864. His name appears on a ROLL OF PRISONERS OF WAR of furloughed and detailed men, Confederate States Army, surrendered at New Orleans, LA, by General E.K. Smith, CSA to Maj. Gen. R.S. Canby, USA, May 26, 1865 and paroled at Shreveport, LA June 20, 1865. The roll was dated Shreveport, LA, June 20, 1865. His residence was shown as Columbia County, Arkansas.

Organized as Morgan's Battalion on June 14, 1862, it was increased to a full regiment and reorganized as the 26th Arkansas Infantry on July 23, 1862, at DeValls Bluff, Arkansas. Asa Stokely Morgan, formerly of the famed 1st Arkansas Infantry Regiment, was appointed as lieutenant-colonel of the battalion, and was promoted to colonel when the 26th Arkansas was organized. The regiment was assigned to McRae's Brigade, Shoup's Division, First Corps, Army of the Trans-Mississippi, and fought at Prairie Grove and Devil's Backbone. Later, the regiment took part in the Red River Campaign, fighting at Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, on April 9, 1864. The 26th Arkansas was then ordered back to Arkansas to counter Union General Steele's Camden Expedition, culminating in the battle of Jenkins' Ferry on April 30, 1864. The regiment remained in south Arkansas for the next year, and was included in the general surrender of the Confederate forces in the Trans-Mississippi Department on May 26, 1865

http://www.couchgenweb.com/civilwar/26hisidx.html

The family moved to Sabine County, Texas shortly after the birth of their youngest son in Malvern, Arkansas in 1869. Linda Fuller of Cleveland, Texs located a deed dated 18 January 1870, showing the purchase of 174 acres of land lying in Sabine County out of the 611 acre survey made for William J. Sneed off the William Isaac's League. The witnesses to the deed were W.H. Crouch and S.D. Berley. It was recorded in San Augustine County. The price was one dollar an acre, for a total of $174. John died less than six weeks after this purchase, on March 6, 1870.

Mary herself died in 1874, leaving her children orphaned. The eldest sons, James and John, ages 18 and 17, took charge of the family. On the 1880 census, John is shown as head of household. Also living with him and three of his younger siblings is 50 year old Nancy Howard, listed as a family member. His older brother, James, was shown as living on a nearby farm with his wife, mother in law and year old daughter. Brother Delony was also living nearby, working as a laborer on the farm of Christopher "Kit" and Mary Smith. Kit Smith was later killed by the Conner's in the infamous Smith-Conner-Low feud in the mid 1880s in Sabine County.

Blanche Finley Toole of Sabine County writes that Nancy Howard, the family member shown living in the John W Fuller household in 1880, was related her great great grandmother, Ruth Howard Finley. Her father was Samuel Howard. She came to Texas around 1875. Nancy Howard's fiancee was killed in the Civil War, and she never married. She was buried with her pictures of him and her bible. Ms. Toole says that Nancy Howard can be found on the 1850 Meriwether GA census in Household #799, Nancy Howard, age 23, female, born Georgia, in the household of Malichi Murphy age 48, born South Carolina and wife Nancy, age 52 b. South Carolina. (Letter to Melinda Strong, date 5 June 1997).

The parentage of John Brooks Fuller has not yet been proved conclusively. It is appears that he is the son of James Anderson Fuller, however there are some inconsistencies. The family of James Anderson Fuller resided in Meriwether County, Georgia, as did Nancy Howard. As indicated on the census records extracted above, John Brooks Fuller was born circa 1834 in Georgia. The census records of the James Anderson Fuller family indicate that their son, John B., was born in Georgia circa 1831. From the ages of their children, it appears that John and Mary Fuller were probably married sometime before 1855 in Georgia. This fits with the information from the Fuller Genealogical Bank, showing that James's son John B. Fuller married a Mary Watson on November 5, 1852. This also fits with the facts shown on the death certificates for two of the Fuller's children, Joseph Thomas Fuller and Francis Ola Fuller Burkhalter. Both certificates show their mother's maiden name as Watson. However, in the book SABINE COUNTY HISTORICAL SKETCHES AND GENEALOGICAL RECORDS, the mother of the Fuller Children is listed as Mary Brown. No support is provided for the Brown name, however. The most important contradiction, one that must be resolved, is that the Fuller Genealogical Data Banks show that John B. Fuller died on November 5, 1862 (probably during the Civil War). Our John Brooks Fuller did not die until early in 1870, in Sabine County.

Only a death date is shown on his headstone. He shares a double marker with Mary Fuller. This is also engraved with "Precious Memories."

(Research):

Census Listings:

1860 Census State: Arkansas
County: ColumbiaTownship: ClayPost Office: Dorecheat 321 323
Fuller, John B,age 26, male, Farmer, value of R/E $1,200, PP $550,born GA
Fuller, Mary, age 24, female, born Georgia
Fuller, James E, age 4, male, born Georgia
Fuller, John W, age 2, male, born Georgia

1870 Census State: Texas
County: SabineTownship: Bearns 3Post Office: Brookeland 576 576
Fuller, Mary, age 36, female, Farmer,value of R/E $1,000, PP $400, born GA
Fuller, James, age 14, male, born GA
Fuller, John, age 13, male, born GA
Fuller, Delony, age 10, male, born ARK (Impairment)
Fuller, Fanny, age 6, female, born ARK
Fuller, Charles, age 4, male, born ARK
Fuller, Joseph, age 1, male, born ARK

1880 Census State: Texas
County: Sabine
171 173
Fuller, John W, age22, male, Farmer, GA, GA, GA
Fuller, Frances,age 16, female, Sister, Ark, GA, GA
Fuller, Charlies H, age 13, male, Brother, GA, SC, SC
Fuller, Joseph, age 10, male, Brother, Ark
Howard, Nancy, age 50, female, Family Member,Ark, Ark, Ark
200 209
Smith, Christopher, age 22,TX,Miss,Miss
Smith, Mary, age 18,wife,TX,TX,Miss
Smith, Dosia, age 2, dau,TX,TX,TX
Fuller, Alkony Delony,age 19,laborer, TX,--,--
218 227
Fuller, JE, age 24, male, Farmer, GA, GA, GA
Fuller, Hannah, age 23, Wife,TX, NC, AL
Fuller, Maggie, age 1, Daughter, TX, GA, TX
Dewees, Sarah, age 50, Mother, AL, NC, GA
Delony, Rebecca,age 20, Niece, TX

John married Mary A. Watson on 9 Dec 1852 in Meriwether County, Georgia. Mary (daughter of Arthur Holman Watson and Frances Ophelia O'Hara) was born about 1834 in Georgia; died on 19 Feb 1874 in Sabine County, Texas; was buried in McMahan's Chapel Cemetery, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

According to the online trascription of the 1850 Meriwether County, Georgia census, there were two Mary Watsons living in Meriwether County, Georgia in 1850. I believe that the Mary Watson whom married John Brooks Fuller was the daughter of Arthur Watson.

1) The daughter of Arthur Watson, below, was born circa 1834. This matches the closely to her age as of the 1870 Sabine County Census (she was shown as age 36). On the 1860 Arkansas census, she is listed as age 24, which would make her year of birth circa 1836. On neither the 1860 or 1870 census, however, is she shown as being born circa 1831, as was the daughter of Robert Watson.

2) Robert Watson was born in Ireland. There is no indication that Mary Watson's father was born in Ireland. Arthur Watson was born in South Carolina, and at the time of the 1880 census, Charles H. Fuller indicates that his mother was born in South Carolina.

3) Arthur Watson has a daughter named Ophelia. This name is used in later generations of the Fuller family in Texas.

More work needs to be done to verify this, but it seems that it is a resonable hypothesis that Arthur Watson of South Carolina is the father of Mary Watson Fuller.

http://www.rootsweb.com/~cenfiles/ga/meriwether/1850/pg0353b.txt

WATSON Families in Meriwether with daughters named MARY

687 687
Watson Arthur 42 M F 2,400 SC
Watson John F. 19 M F SC
Watson Mary A. 16 F GA
Watson Allen H. 13 M GA
Watson Ophelia F. 12 F GA
Watson Elizabeth P.8 F GA

383 383
Watson Robert 55 M F 2,500 Ireland
Watson Elizabeth 49 F GA
Watson Mary Ann 19 F GA
Watson William 18 M F GA
Watson Susan Ann 15 F GA
Watson Margaret 12 F GA

Other WATSON's in Meriwether

67 67
Johnson Mordica 62 M F 1,370 VA
Johnson E. 49 F VA
Watson Cintha 6 F GA
Murphy Wm. D. 23 M F GA

265 265
Watson William 50 M F 2,100 NC
Watson Rebecca 44 F NC
Watson John F. 20 M F GA
Watson William T. 17 M F GA
Watson Martha A. 15 F GA
Watson Henry L. 13 M GA
Watson Rebecca M. 10 F GA
Watson Georgia A.8 F GA
Watson Laura J.5 F GA
Watson Robert A. 3 Mo GA

Only a death date is shown on her headstone. She shares a double marker with John Fuller. This is also engraved with "Precious Memories."

Other WATSON Brides during that time period. This doesn't appear to list either of her sisters listed on the 1850 census.

PARTRIDGE CHARLES 15-Jul1868 WATSON ANN
STRICKLAND E 28-Mar1868 WATSON BETTY
STROZIER GEORGE 13-Feb1869WATSON DILLA
BELLARC H 26-Dec1875WATSON EASLEY
PERKINSON JOHN D 20-Dec1860 WATSON GEORGIA A
ROSSER WILSON 1-Jan1873 WATSON HANNAH
HAYSBUCK S 23-Dec1870 WATSON LINA
DARDIN FRANKLIN A 5-Dec1858 WATSON MARGARET
GILLOLVIN H 22-Jun1856 WATSON MARYANN
GATES GEORGE 18-Sep1870 WATSON SUSAN

Notes:

Married:
Per the Fuller Genealogical Data Base maintained by John Beattie Fuller of Morgantown, GA, John B. Fuller married Mary A. Watson on 9 December 1852. The names match the information on the death certificates of Joseph Thomas Fuller and Fannie Ola Fuller Burkhalter.

The record below is from Meriwether County, Vital Records, Marriages-Bride 1851-1875 Source: ftp://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/ga/meriwether/vitals/marriages/mwtrbrd.txt

FULLER JOHN B 9 Dec1852 WATSON MARY A

Notes:

Most official documents and census records simply show him as either John Fullen or John W. Fullen. His middle name is not known with certainty.

Frances Simmons [mailto:fsimmons@ruralcomm.com], in an email dated June 10, 2000, wrote that she discovered that John's middle name was Willoughby "last year at the Fullen family reunion by looking at notes and articles they had kept. I think one article called it the James Willoughby Fullen reunion. Before that I only had James W. Fullen...." However, Danice Hurt, a direct descendant through son William Franklin Fullen, emailed in January, 2012 that "my mother (Bobbie Sue Fullen Lunsford) has always told me that his name was John Whitney Fullen. He lived with Frank & Nannie Fullen when my mother was a child. Unfortunately, so far I have been unable to find any documentation as to the middle name, your website is the first time I had heard of any other name." A third possibility is that his middle name was Whitaker, as this is the middle name of his eldest son.

John and his brother, William were orphaned sometime before 1860. They lived with their stepfather, Solomon Causey, and his new wife until the Civil War.

John was just 16 when he enlisted in the Confederate States Army in February, 1862, alongside his brother William. John served in Company F, 11th Texas Regiment, from February, 1862 through February, 1864. The 11th Texas Infantry Regiment was placed under the command of Colonel Oran M. Roberts (a later governor of Texas). The 11th was marched to Arkansas where it combined into Randal's Brigade, McCulloch's Division in September 1862. The regiment is later moved to Louisiana. They combined forces with Green's 15th and 18th Texas Infantry on November 1, 1863. The combined force went south from Opelousas, Louisiana toward Grand Coteau in what Roberts described as a "rapid and fatiguing march." The 11th was ordered forward towards the enemy by the commander of the Confederate District of Western Louisiana, Major General Richard Taylor. On November 3, 1863, they were deployed in the Battle of Bayou Bourbeau. Several companies were sent out as skirmishers. The remainder of the 11th, including Company F, were deployed on the left wing of the lines, roughly two miles south of Opelusas. The infantry force retired from the field after approximately 3 hours of combat. The 11th reported 4 killed, 15 wounded, and 32 missing. Union casualties in the whole engagement numbered approximately 716 men. On November 4, 1863, the 11th joined the rest of Walker's Division in holding the country from Simsport to Opelousa against future assaults by Union forces.

Source: http://www.cba.uh.edu/~parks/tex/texreb.htm

I was unable to locate John W. Fullen in Sabine County, or anywhere else, at the time of the 1870 census. It was possible he was simply missed by the enumerator due to the turmoil of the reconstruction.

John W. Fullen made an application for a Pre-emption grant of land in Sabine County on August 12, 1876. In this application he, and two witnesses (G. Guthrie and A.C. Woolam), swore that he was a bona fide settler on vacant public land, and the head of a family. Pre-emption grants were made after statehood, and from 1866 to 1898 up to 160 acres could be claimed. Homesteaders were required to live on the land for three years and make improvements (such as building a barn) in order to qualify for a pre-emption grant of 160 acres. He patented his application on December 11, 1879. In his affadavit John Fullen swore, and his two witnesses affirmed, that he had occupied the land he was claiming for three consecutive years, from Sept. 30, 1876 through the current date. Witnesses were J. P. Payne and Wm. W. Weatherred. J. P. Payne was a step-son of Thompson Allen, the grandfather of John's wife, Jane Allen Fullen. The original Sabine Preemption Grand is on file at the Texas General Land Office, File #68.

As of 1880, John was living in Bronson and working as a farmer. He and Jane had four children at the time: James, Leala (Lula), Viola, and John. Viola can be found on the actual census microfilm, but is missing from Toole and Speight's transcription of the 1880 census.

None of his children appeared to have been recorded as attending school at the time of the 1890 Scholastic census,unlike those of his brother William, who had attended school. Presumably they were needed at home to help John and Jane on the farm.

According to the Sabine County 1910 Federal Census, John and Jane Fullen had been married for 42 years. They had had 9 children, 7 of whom were still living.

In his Confederate Pension Application file, the Application for Mortuary Warrant indicates that he died of Bright's Disease (kidney disease) in the home of his son, W.F. Fullen of Bronson.

Several photos exist of John Fullen. One is a family grouping, but only he and Jane have been identified positively.

(Written by Melinda McLemore Strong circa 1986 and revised periodically)

(Research):

Census Listings:

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
Not located

Texas, Sabine County, JP 6
Enumerated 9 Jun 1900
SD 8 ED 70 Sheet 6B
100-100
Fullen, John Head W M Aug 1844 55 M 33 Tx Tn Tn Farmer
Fullen, Jane Wf W F Dec 1849 50 M 33 12/9 Tx Miss Tx
Fullen, Daisy Dau W F Nov 1883 16 S Tx Tx Tx
Fullen, Wiley Son W M July 1886 13 S Tx Tx Tx Farm Laborer
Fullen, Franklin Son W M Jan 1889 11 S Tx Tx Tx
Fullen, Clyde Son W M Nov 1890 9 S Tx Tx Tx

1910 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Pr 6
Enumerated 11 May 1910
SD 2 ED 133 Sheet 32A
211-211
Fullen, John W. Head M W 64 m1 42 Tx Tn Pa Farming Home Farm
Fullen, Jane C Wf F W 57 M1 42 9/7 Tx Mi Tx
Fullen, Clyde Son M w 19 S Tx Tx Tx Farming

1920 Census
Texas, Sabine County, JP 6
Enumerated 17 Jan 1920
SD 326 ED 173 Sheet 16A Stamped 212
306-306
Becton, Jim L Hd M W 36 M Tx NC Miss Farmer
Becton, Daisie M Wf F W 36 M Tx Tx Tx
Becton, Ivie B Dtr F W 13 S Tx Tx Tx
Becton, Howard I Son F (sic) W 9 S Tx Tx Tx
Becton, Fay A Dtr F W 7 Tx Tx Tx
Becton, Gladis R Dtr F W 2 8/12 S Tx Tx Tx
307-307
Fullen, John W Hd M W 72 M Tx Ms Ms Farmer
Fullen, Jane Wf F W 69 Tx Tx Tx
Fullen, James W Son M W 50 Wd Tx Tx Tx Farmer
Fullen, Drew O Grandson M W 9 S Tx Tx Tx
Fullen, Luke T Grandson M W 6 S Tx Tx Tx

(Medical):Brights Disease (Kidney Disease)

John married Jane Allen about 1868 in Sabine County, Texas. Jane (daughter of John Wooldridge Allen and Caroline C. McGrew) was born on 5 Dec 1850 in Sabine County, Texas; died on 6 Jan 1926 in Sabine County, Texas; was buried in Rosevine Cemetery, Rosevine, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Her middle initial is shown sometimes as C and sometimes as K. It is not known what her actual middle name was.

Nina Fuller always said that her grandmother, Jane (Allen) Fullen was "half Indian." It has not been proved if this is true, or merely a legend. The name ALLEN appears to be of common use among the Cherokees, and perhaps this is where either the actual Indian blood, or legend of Indian blood, came from. The mtDNA of a child of Nina Fuller, a direct female descendant of Jane, was classified as H. This is the most common mtDNA in Europe, and not one associated with Native American lineage. If Jane was part Indian, it was through her father's family, and not in her direct maternal line.

There is a photo of Jane Fullen, presumably taken shortly before her death in 1926, in a black silk bonnet. This bonnet was given by Jane to her granddaughter Nina (Fuller) McLemore. Nina's daughter, Evon Tisdale gave the bonnet to Melinda (McLemore) Strong.

(Research):A photo of her headstone on Find A Grave appears to be incorrect in listing her birthday as 5 December 1849. Blanche Finley Toole showed this instead as 5 December 1850, supported by census records below:

1850 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Sabine District
Enumerated 1 Oct 1850
12-12
John W. Allin 27 M Farmer South Carolina
Cariline C " 23 F Miss
Jamest T. " 3 M Tx
Elizabeth " 1 F Tx

1860 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Redland Beat No, 4, PO Milam
Enumerated 27 Jun 1860
Page 22
156-156
Allen, J.W,37,M,W, Clock Pedlar, $--- $700 SC
" , James T,13, M, W, TX
" , Elizabeth Do,11,F,W, TX (married to William Fullen)
" , Jane (*),9,F, W, TX (married to John Fullen) (brothers)
" , Susan (#),1, F, W, TX

*Jane is the daughter of J.W. Allen by wife Caroline. Jane was born in December 1850, and the 1850 census was taken in October 1850. Therefore, Caroline would have been between 6 and 7 months pregnant at the time of the census. The 1860 census was taken in June, before Jane had reached her 10th birthday.

#The mother of Susan Allen is not known. It does not seem likely that she is the daughter of John's second wife, Margaret Harvey Allen, who had moved back home with their one year old daughter, Mary Allen. Did John have a daughter by a woman other than his then wife, perhaps leading to their separation? Or is Susan perhaps a niece or other family member? Or are Mary/Susan the same child, listed in both households?

His former wife, Margaret, and his daughter Mary are living in another household in 1860, as follows:

1860 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Patroon Beat No 5, PO Milam
Enumerated 6 July 1860
Pages 29 and 30
224-224
ZMA Smith 59 F Farmer 400 671 NC
Margaret Allen 34 F La
W.H. Harvey 21 M Farmer LA
ZMA Smith 8 F Tx
MAA " 5 F Tx
Mary E. Allen 1 F Tx