Blassingame W. Harvey

Notes:

FIRST GENERATION KNOWN BLASSINGAME W.HARVEY OF SAN AUGUSTINE CO., TEXAS By Joyce P. Hervey

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~hervey/HFAV5.htm

[Editor: The following Harvey family is perhaps related to the family of James Hervey/Harvey of New York ca. early 1800's, (see Vol. 2 No. 2, p. 54 and Vol. 1 No. 2, p. 9). Prior articles of the Bulletin have indicated that Virgil Temple Hervey, descendant of said James Hervey of NY, visited relatives in Texas and was pressed into service in the Confederate Army on one of his trips (ca. 1861-1865). Interestingly, the name Virgil Temple Harvey was given to a child born ca. 1873 to Stephen Prather Harvey of the following family. It seems likely that Virgil T. of New York and Stephen P. of Texas visited and knew, or thought, they were related to each other and that Stephen P. named his young son after his New York "cousin".]

Texas of the 1820's was a region undergoing drastic change. It was a land occupied by Indians, a handful of Spaniards, and growing numbers of American "squatters," with a few Spanish forts and Catholic missions. Texas became part of Mexico when Mexico won independence from Spain in 1821. Being so large and far removed from Mexico's seat of government, and with little manpower, Texas could not be protected from illegal intrusion by American settlers in their push towards the West. Mexico, realizing its problem of protecting Texas from illegal immigration, agreed to allow some colonization of Texas by the Americans, and in 1821 authorized Moses Austin to establish a colony of 300 families in Texas. Much to the Mexican's dismay, this opened a floodgate, which they could not again close to American immigration into Texas. Between 1821 and 1836, 25,000 to 30,000 Americans moved into Texas.

One of these early Texas immigrants was Blassingame W. Harvey, who came to Texas by 1824 and made application for a Mexican land grant.

Who was Blassingame W. Harvey of San Augustine County and where did he come from?

The name "Blassingame" entered the Harvey family as a given name in Charlotte (formerly Lunenburg) County, Virginia when Thomas Harvey (b. ca. 1705, d. 1782) married Elizabeth Blassingame (b. ca. 1709) and they named one of their sons Blassingame Harvey (b. ca. 1736).

From Virginia, the name was carried South by descendants and relatives of this couple. Several persons named Blassingame Harvey lived in Georgia: in Burke Co. in 1790-95, 1820, 1824 ; Jefferson Co.; and Washington Co., ca. 1790.

Blassingame W. Harvey of Texas was born in South Carolina ca. 1792- 1794 and died in San Augustine Co., TX on 20 July 1867. (Your editors have not researched South Carolina records to try to locate him there.) He is said to have arrived in Catahoula Parish, LA in 1802, with his brother John J. Harvey and perhaps other relatives. A Thomas and a Charles B. Harvey are listed on many records of that parish.

When Blassingame W. Harvey left Louisiana, he probably headed toward San Augustine, TX because it was on the only convenient road to the interior of Texas from the landward side. When he reached the Ayish Bayou near San Augustine, where he settled, he found cleared fields, evidence of prior habitation by persons who had moved on. He found some old-timers who had "squatted" their land and established farms. Cotton farms worked by Negro slaves sprang up as the population of the area increased. The rolling hills and valleys covered with hardwood trees, the clear cold streams of water, the fertile soil, abundant wild life and game birds all no doubt helped convince him to put down some roots.

A colonization law passed by Mexico ca. 1823-1824 allowed a married man to be granted by the Mexican government a "league and a labor" of land in Texas, the league (4428 acres) for pastureland and the labor (177 acres) for cultivation. The law required that the colonist be a citizen of Mexico, obey the laws of Mexico, belong to the Roman Catholic Church, and live on the land he was granted. However, there was no provision made for conveyance of titles to the land until about 1834. Meanwhile, the settlers had no claim to their land except their occupancy of it or "squatters rights." Nevertheless, Blassingame W. Harvey received title to his "league" of land on 20 Feb. 1835 and his "labor" of land in Jan. 1838


May not be the same Blassingame Harvey:

Historical Collections of Ga. Vol.3

Page 11-William Wooldrige to wife Sarah, 100 acres where we did live and five slaves Jack, Jenny,Rachel, Lucy and Isby, all stock, furniture for life. To son Richard slaves Cate, Ceasar,and Pheby in his possession.To son William, slaves Frank, Sam and Nelly. To son Thomas slaves Chas, Abel,and Nancy. To son Gibson slaves James, Cain, and Sucky. To son Edward slaves Winny, Sarah and a wagon. To daughter Sally Hidspeth, slaves Ceasar, Joan, and Nancy for her life and then at her death to her children. To daughter Patty Davis slaves Isaac and Peg for her life and then to her children. Mentions debts owed by Phillip Ryon and BLASSINGAME HARVEY. Exors: sons Thomas and Gibson and wife Sarah. Signed Dec.6, 1797 recorded July 25, 1798 Elbert Co.Ga.

(Collections of Dubie Hudspeth: http://www.geocities.com/blsa44/Ralphhudspethjr.html)

Blassingame married Nancy Scoggins before 1818. Nancy was born before 1795; died about 1833. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Blassingame married Elizabeth Mary Ann Prather on 3 Sep 1826. Elizabeth (daughter of Stephen Prather and Tamora Elizabeth Ploudon) was born on 16 Aug 1810 in Catahoula Parish, Louisiana; died on 22 Jul 1855 in San Augustine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

At the time of the 1860 San Augustine County, Texas census, he owned personal property worth $800.

Stephen married Francis Ann Hill before 1850. Francis was born about 1833 in Alabama; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Aurora married John R. Alexander on 22 Nov 1859 in San Augustine County, Texas. John was born after 1830; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married Joseph Orlander Snell on 7 Apr 1853 in San Augustine County, Texas. Joseph was born about 1826; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

In 1860, she was living with her father, and shown as age 18. At the time of the 1870 census, she was living with her sister and brother-in-law, Rowena and James Ware.

Virginia married William Daniels on 8 Sep 1859 in San Augustine County, Texas. William was born before 1838; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Rowena married James E. Ware on 17 Oct 1859 in San Augustine County, Texas. James was born about 1838 in Alabama; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Roderick married Mary Francis Williams on 19 Jan 1872 in San Augustine County, Texas. Mary was born about 1850 in Alabama; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married Henderson Harvey on 28 Nov 1877 in San Augustine County, Texas. Henderson (son of Calvin Charles Harvey, Sr. and Mary Emily Allen) was born on 18 Mar 1852 in Texas; died on 27 Jan 1941. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Florence married William "Dick" Coleman on 8 Mar 1875. William was born in Nov 1850 in Texas; died on 4 Nov 1915; was buried in Harvey Cemetery, Broaddus, San Augustine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Lucy married Edward Harvey on 16 Oct 1877 in San Augustine County, Texas. Edward (son of John Austin Harvey and Roxie A. Gillespie) was born on 24 Nov 1851 in Texas; died on 7 Aug 1940. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Stephen married Mollie Wise on 29 Sep 1883 in San Augustine County, Texas. Mollie was born before 1865; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Forrest married Laura A. Wood on 29 Aug 1887 in San Augustine County, Texas. Laura was born after 1866; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Shown on Ronald Laure Harvey's "Harvey" tree at RootsWeb's WorldConnect to have married Sarah Burton WOOD, the daughter of Elias O. H. Wood and Sarah Townsend.

Glenn married Sallie Wise on 28 Nov 1887 in San Augustine County, Texas. Sallie was born after 1868; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

His Texas Death Certificate shows he was a retired farmer, and married at the time of his death. Parents shown as S.P. Harvey, born Tennessee and Frances Hill, born Texas. He was buried in Palacios, where he resided at the time of his death.

His FindAGrave memorial page links him to his parents, his two wife Augusta NORWOOD of San Augustine (1874-1896) and Catherine Amanda MULLINS, and to seven children, as well as to his siblings.

Family/Spouse: John Albert "Abb" Baldree. John (son of William Thomas Baldree and Mary Emma Drawhorn) was born on 12 Aug 1888 in San Augustine County, Texas; died on 24 May 1969 in San Augustine County, Texas; was buried in Rosevine Cemetery, Rosevine, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Dale Rubel shows that he married Ursula Ann HUNT,d aughter of Nathaniel HUNT and Zana TOWNSEND of San Augustine.

Notes:

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JDR5-JMZ
name: Alice Colewell
death date: 28 Mar 1941
death place: Ora, Angelina, Texas
gender: Female
race: White
death age: 62 years
estimated birth date:
birth date: 17 Oct 1879
birthplace: Texas
marital status: Married
spouse's name:
father's name: Dick Coleman
father's birthplace: Unknown
mother's name: Florence Harvey
mother's birthplace: Texas
occupation:
place of residence: Ora, Angelina, Texas
cemetery: Cochran Cemetery
burial place: Texas
burial date: 29 Mar 1941
additional relatives: X
film number: 2138246
digital film number: 4030504
image number: 2875
reference number: cn 10780
Collection: "Texas, Deaths, 1890-1976," Alice Colewell, 1941

Notes:

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JNHN-8WL
name: Aaron Coleman
death date: 29 Jul 1960
death place: Lufkin, Angelina, Texas, United States
gender: Male
race: White
death age: 78 years
estimated birth date:
birth date: 19 Sep 1881
birthplace: Texas
marital status:
spouse's name:
father's name: William Coleman
father's birthplace:
mother's name: Florence Harvey
mother's birthplace:
occupation:
place of residence:
cemetery:
burial place:
burial date:
additional relatives:
film number: 2116317
digital film number: 4120480
image number: 00942
reference number: 45712
Collection: "Texas, Deaths, 1890-1976," Aaron Coleman, 1960

(Research):

Census Listings:

1910 Census
Texas, San Augustine County, JP 3
Enumerated 27 Apr 1910
SD 25 ED 140 Sheets 12A
210-210
Coleman, Hiram Head M W 21 M1 2 Tx Tx Tx Farmer
Coleman, Bennie Wf F W 18 m1 2 2/1 Tx Tx Tx
Coleman, Pansy F Dtr F W 2/12 S Tx Tx Tx
211-211
William Martin and his sister, May
212-212
Coleman, William Head M W 60 m1 35 Tx SC Ga Farmer
Coleman, Florence Wf F W 58 m1 35 10/8 Tx Tx Ga
Coleman, Walter Son M W 17 S Tx Tx Tx
Coleman, John Son M W 14 S Tx Tx Tx
213-213
Coleman, Aaron Head M W 27 m1 3 Tx Tx Tx Farmer
Coleman, Elvina Wf F W 26 m1 3 2/2 Tx Tx Tx
Coleman, William C Son M W 2 S Tx Tx Tx
Coleman, Hester Dtr F W 1 S Tx Tx Tx

Notes:

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JDP1-DML
name: Mason Coleman
death date: 25 Jun 1967
death place: Jacksonville, Cherokee, Texas
gender: Male
race: White
death age: 83 years
estimated birth date:
birth date: 12 Apr 1884
birthplace: Texas
marital status: Married
spouse's name:
father's name: William Coleman
father's birthplace:
mother's name: Florance Harvey
mother's birthplace:
occupation: Retail Lumber
place of residence: Jacksonville, Cherokee, Texas
cemetery: Walkers Chapel Cemetery
burial place: Cherokee County, Texas
burial date: 26 Jun 1967
additional relatives: X
film number: 2138673
digital film number: 4005470
image number: 1938
reference number: certificate #43254
Collection: "Texas, Deaths, 1890-1976," Mason Coleman, 1967

Notes:

Shown by Debra and Gary Collins to have married (first?) Milton Eugene Smith.

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/J6DB-2TY
name: Florence Miller
death date: 17 Oct 1971
death place: Lufkin, Angelina, Texas
gender: Female
race:
death age: 87 years
estimated birth date: 1884
birth date:
birthplace:
marital status:
spouse's name:
father's name: William Coleman
father's birthplace:
mother's name: Florence Harvey
mother's birthplace:
occupation:
place of residence:
cemetery:
burial place:
burial date:
additional relatives:
film number: 2223415
digital film number: 4169942
image number: 2981
reference number: 83923
Collection: "Texas, Deaths, 1890-1976," Florence Miller, 1971

Notes:

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JX2P-9BL
name: Steven Iron Coleman
death date: 03 Nov 1965
death place: Zavalla, Angelina, Texas
gender: Male
race: White
death age: 78 years
estimated birth date:
birth date: 10 Apr 1887
birthplace: Texas
marital status: Widowed
spouse's name:
father's name: William Coleman
father's birthplace:
mother's name: Florence Harvey
mother's birthplace:
occupation: Retired Farmer
place of residence: Zavalla, Angelina, Texas
cemetery: Zavalla
burial place: Zavalla, Texas
burial date: 04 Nov 1965
additional relatives: X
film number: 2117868
digital film number: 4028293
image number: 711
reference number: 717
Collection: "Texas, Deaths, 1890-1976," Steven Iron Coleman, 1965

Notes:

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JNQT-3PP
name: Walter Thomas Coleman
death date: 06 Feb 1972
death place: San Augustine, San Augustine, Texas, United States
gender: Male
race: White
death age: 80 years
estimated birth date:
birth date: 07 Nov 1891
birthplace: Texas
marital status:
spouse's name:
father's name: William Coleman
father's birthplace:
mother's name: Florence Harvey
mother's birthplace:
occupation:
place of residence:
cemetery:
burial place:
burial date:
additional relatives:
film number: 2223616
digital film number: 4005468
image number: 03353
reference number: 14679
Collection: "Texas, Deaths, 1890-1976," Walter Thomas Coleman, 1972

Notes:

It is POSSIBLE that she is the mother of J.W. Dickerson, born 2 February 1916, in San Augustine County to James Franklin DICKERSON and Sarah HARVEY. She would have been the correct age to have had J.W. in 1916. His obituary was in the December 12, 2002 edition of the SAN AUGUSTINE TRIBUNE. It is also POSSIBLE she was instead/also the mother of Bernard E. "Bud" Greer, born January 25, 1920 in San Augustine to the late James Fred Greer and Sarah Jane Harvey. His obituary was in the March 18, 2008 issue of the Sabine County Reporter.

Notes:

(Research):1920 Census, Texas, San Augustine County, JP 3, ED 178
SD 32 ED 178
Enumerated 12-13 January 1920 by Hugh Fox
118-118
Harvey, Edward P Hd M W 31 M Tx Tx Tx Farmer
Harvey, Dorotha Wife F W 26 M Tx Tx Tx
Harvey, Gladys Dtr F W 7 S Tx Tx Tx
Harvey, Travis Son W W 5 S Tx Tx Tx

Families following this listing,
Harvey, Edward age 68
Parker, Floid and Emily ages 28 and 20

Family/Spouse: Dorothea Parker. Dorothea was born about 1894 in Texas; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Lulu married Lewis Rigsby on 24 Nov 1923. Lewis was born on 2 Oct 1895. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]