Generation: 1
Generation: 2
2. | William Alexander Hamilton Conner was born on 2 Dec 1876 in Texas (son of Charles Wilson Conner and Julia Ann Scruggs); died on 25 May 1965 in Angelina County, Texas; was buried in Whitehouse Cemetery, Lufkin, Angelina County, Texas. Notes:
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JDG3-DHF
name: William Alexander Conner
death date: 25 May 1965
death place: Lufkin, Angelina, Texas
gender: Male
race: White
death age: 88 years
estimated birth date:
birth date: 02 Dec 1876
birthplace: Texas
marital status: Married
spouse's name:
father's name: Charlie Conner
father's birthplace:
mother's name: Julia Scruggs
mother's birthplace:
occupation: Gunsmith
place of residence: Lufkin, Angelina, Texas
cemetery: Whitehouse Cemetery
burial place: Angelina County, Texas
burial date: 27 May 1965
additional relatives: X
film number: 2117826
digital film number: 4028302
image number: 1402
reference number: cn 34165
Collection: "Texas, Deaths, 1890-1976," William Alexander Conner, 1965
(Research):
Census Listings:
1920 Census
Texas, Angelina County, JP 6
Enumerated 6 and 7 Jan 1920
SD 326 ED 14 Sheet 2A
Homer Huntington and Browns Ferry Road
25-25
Conner, William A Head M W 42 M Tx Ga Tx Mechanic Automotive
Conner, Jodie L Wf F W 34 M Tx Ala Ala
Conner, Evone L Dtr F W 12 S Tx Tx Tx
Conner, Guy E Son m W 8 S Tx Tx Tx
Conner, Willie M Dtr F W 5 S Tx Tx Tx
Conner, Versa Dtr F W 2 6/12 S Tx Tx Tx
1930 Census
Texas, Angelina County, JP 6, Town of Huntington
Enumerated April 29, 1930
SD 3-16 SD 19 Sheet 15A Stamped 249
28-29
Conner, Alic Head M W 53 M 27 Tx Ga Tx Commisioner County
Conner, Joahhah Wf F W 46 M 20 Tx Tx Tx
Conner, Guy E Son M W 18 S Tx Tx Tx
Conner, Willie M Dtr F W 15 S Tx Tx Tx
Conner, Vercilenor Dtr F W 12 S Tx Tx Tx
Conner, Floyd Son M W 9 S Tx Tx Tx
Conner, Floradell Dtr F W 7 S Tx Tx Tx
William + Joanna "Jodie" Lydia Kennedy. Joanna was born on 15 Nov 1883 in Texas; died on 25 Aug 1978 in Lufkin, Angelina County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
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3. | Joanna "Jodie" Lydia Kennedy was born on 15 Nov 1883 in Texas; died on 25 Aug 1978 in Lufkin, Angelina County, Texas. Notes:
Married:
Said to have married Joanna Kennedy, 30 Jan 1905, in Angelina County, Texas.
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Generation: 3
4. | Charles Wilson Conner was born on 30 Jan 1849 in Tattnall County, Georgia (son of Willis Conner and Piercy Douglas); died after 1890 in Texas; was buried in Smyrna Cemetery, Nacogdoches County, Texas. Notes:
After the murder of Eli Low and Kit Smith, Charles Conner was found guilty, along with his father and brothers. He was sent to prison for 25 years. He was later pardoned by Governor Ross and released.
The letter from Judge Perkins stated, "Being convinced that it is the universal wish of the people of Sabine County that Charley CONNER should be pardoned and that serious doubt of his guilt of participation in the murder for which he was convicted--most all of the people of Sabine Co. and especially those in a position to be best informed of the truth of this matter, as seen in the light of developments since the trial, I do now recommend that said CONNER be pardoned."
Source: Irene Walton, Nacogdoches, TX
(Research):
Census Listings:
1880 Census
Texas, Sabine County, JP 1, Sub Dist 84
Enumerated 28 and 29 jun 1880
Page 15 SD 1 ED 84 Stamped 215
129-136
Eli and Sarah Low family
130-137
Conner, Charles W M 31 Farmer Ga
Conner, Julie W F 31 Wf Tx
Conner, Wm. A W M 3 Son Tx Ga Tx
Conner, Emeline W F 2 Dt Tx Ga Tx
Conner, Jesse W M 2/12 Mar Tx Ga Tx
Charles married Julia Ann Scruggs on 10 Dec 1874 in Texas. Julia (daughter of Jesse Thomas Scruggs, Jr. and Gracie Berintha Harper) was born on 26 Jan 1859 in Texas; died on 25 Jun 1937 in Texas; was buried in Huntington Cemetery, Angelina County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
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Generation: 4
8. | Willis Conner was born on 15 Mar 1822 in Tattnall County, Georgia; died on 13 Nov 1887 in Sabine County, Texas; was buried in Conner Cemetery, Sabine County, Texas. Notes:
There was a Willis Conner in the "1840 Decatur County Georgia Census Index " (Frances T. Ingmire, Mountain Press). Decatur is very near the Florida border. Could this be him?
Came to Texas in 1857 from Tattonall County, Geogia.
Was shown on the muster roll of Captain J.M. Burroughs Company of the Sabine County Volunteer Infantry, CSA, and was enlisted at Hemphill, Texas by Drury Field for 3 months duty on January 15, 1863. His headstone is marked Texas Infantry, CSA.
On his "12 to Midnight" blog, Ed Wetterman (edwetterman@hotmail.com) writes:
In the 1880's several of Sabine County's families became embroiled in an unfortunate shooting feud that disrupted the whole community. Fathers, sons, daughters and cousins became engulfed in the fighting that would ravage the county from 1883 to 1887.
It began with the murders of Eli Low and Kit Smith in Holly Bottom off Housin Bayou in the southern part of Sabine County. The bodies were found about ten feet apart and the men had been shot in the back. The funerals were quickly held and many thought it suspicious that the Conner family had not attended.
It was known that the Conner and Low families had argued in the past about free-ranging and the building of schools and roads. Apparently many angry words had been exchanged, but the situation had never erupted into violence.
After a short investigation, Willis Conner, along with his sons, Fed, William, John and Charles were indicted for the murders and held without bond. Charles and Fed's trial was held first and they were found guilty. Charles was sent to prison for twenty-five years. Fed was given life in prison, but successfully appealed his case and was retried. He was again found guilty. He would never serve, however, as the jail was broken into and Willis, Fed, William and John escaped into the countryside- where they began a running war with the law enforcement of the day.
The Texas Rangers were called in to assist in arresting the Conners, but were ambushed and one Ranger, J.H. (Jim) Moore was killed. William Conner was also killed and many others were wounded. Willis, Fed and John escaped the battle. The Rangers, having suffered a grievous defeat, left Sabine County and did not return. John Conner then abandoned Willis and Fed and according to Ruth Sibley Davis in her book "Neighbor against Neighbor," moved to start a new life in Louisiana.
The people of the county, wanting to end the violence, began to pressure local officers to arrest the Conners. Eventually, a private investigator was hired and disguised as a cattle buyer went through the county looking for clues to the Conner's whereabouts. He learned that Willis and Fed's families left food and supplies for them on a trail somewhere deep in the woods. An ambush was set up and Fed Conner was killed. Willis escaped, but was killed a few weeks later, when his young grandson, a boy of twelve, was coming to give him food. The boy had been tracked and followed by a posse and in the ensuing gunfight, Willis and the boy were killed.
This sad situation finally ended the Low-Conner Feud which had divided the county for so long. For years, no one wanted to discuss what had occurred as it was simply too divisive and the families too intermingled to be considered a worthy subject of conversation.
(Research):
Census Listings:
1850 Census
Georgia, Tatnall County, No. 79 Subdivision
Enumerated 9 Dec 1850
(image on ancestry.com is very faint)
???-332
William and Nancy Conner
333-335
Willis Conner 28 Farmer birthplace: ditto (Tatnall?)
Percy Conner 25 birthplace: ditto (Tatnall?)
Fedrick Conner 3 birthplace: ditto (Tatnall?)
Charles Conner 1 birthplace: ditto (Tatnall?)
1860 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Patroon Beat No. 5, PO Milam
Enumerated 7 July 1860
Page 31
231-232
Willis Conner 37 M Farmer $--- $1700 Ga
Piercey Conner 35 F Ga
Frederick M Conner 12 M Ga
Charles W Conner 10 M Ga
Leonard J Sonner 8 M Ga
Alfred H Conner 6 M Ga
William Conner 4 M Ga
Catherine P Conner 2 F Ga
1870 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Beat No 2, PO Sabine Town
Enumerated 2 August 1870
Page 24
503-504
Conner, Willis 47 M W Farmer $500 $500 Ga
Conner, Therisa (sic) 45 F W Keeping House Ga
Conner, Federick M 23 M Ga
and on a separate page (appears to have been inadvertantly seperated?)
Texas, Sabine County, Beat No. 3, PO Brookeland
Enumerated 4 Aug 1870
Stamped 19
502-502
Charles W 21 M W Ga
Leander J 17 M W Ga
Alfred H 16 M S Fl
William E 14 M W Fla
Percy D 13 F W Fla
John M 9 M W Tx
Nancy B 7 F W Tx
1880 Census
Texas, Sabine County, JP 2
Enumerated 2 July 1880
Page 19 SD 1 ED 84
168-179
Jackson and Susan Low family
169-180
Connor, Willis W M 58 Farmer Ga SC Ga
Connor, Pierce W F 55 Wf Ga Ga SC
Connor, Wm W M 25 Son Fla Ga Ga
Connor, John W M 19 Son Tx Ga Ga
Connor, Nancy W F 15 Dtr Tx Ga Ga
170-181
Connor, Alfred W M 27 Farmer Fla Ga Ga
Connor, Sarah W F 24 Wife La Miss La
Connor, Alfred W M 7 Son Tx Fla La
Connor, Stephen W M 5 Son Tx Fla La
Connor, Fanny W F 3 Dtr Tx Fla La
Connor, Riley W M 1 Son Tx Fla La
Willis married Piercy Douglas on 1 Aug 1844 in Tattnall County, Georgia. Piercy was born on 4 Apr 1824 in Tattnall County, Georgia; died on 22 Oct 1898 in Many, Sabine Parish, Louisiana; was buried in Conner Cemetery, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
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9. | Piercy Douglas was born on 4 Apr 1824 in Tattnall County, Georgia; died on 22 Oct 1898 in Many, Sabine Parish, Louisiana; was buried in Conner Cemetery, Sabine County, Texas. Notes:
Query from Tem Moody
Piercy Douglass, born 24 Apr 1824 in GA. Married (1) Willis Jackson Conner 1 Aug 1844 (2) M. J. Coleman. Willis J. Conner died 1887 in Sabine Co. TX and is buried in Conner Cemetery, Sabine Co. TX. Piercy died 22 Oct 1898 in Sabine County TX and may be buried in the Conner Cemetery or in the Douglas Cemetery in Union County FL. Attempting to verify date of death and burial place of Piercy nee Douglass.
Reply from Linda King Davenport
The Index to the Cemeteries of Sabine County Texas 1836 - 1964 copyrighted by J. B. Sanders 1964 states the burial place as Conner Cemetery with 5 unmarked graves. To quote: "Conner, Percy 15 Mar 1824 - 22 Oct 1898" I don't know if "Percy" was misspelled in Mr. Sanders' book or on the tombstone. This is not my line and I have not researched this at all. Happy hunting!
Ron McClendon noted that he is not sure of the second marriage.
She was the daughter of Frederick Douglas.
FindAGrave shows that "Piercey was the daughter of Frederick Douglas and wife, Bethamy Hannah Anderson Douglas. She was born with twin sister, Tiercey Douglas. Married Willis William Jackson Conner on 1 Aug 1844 in Tattnall County, Georgia."
Children:
- Frederick M. "Fed" Conner was born on 26 Jul 1846 in Tattnall County, Georgia; died on 25 Oct 1887 in Texas; was buried in Conner Cemetery, Sabine County, Texas.
- 4. Charles Wilson Conner was born on 30 Jan 1849 in Tattnall County, Georgia; died after 1890 in Texas; was buried in Smyrna Cemetery, Nacogdoches County, Texas.
- Leander Jackson Conner was born on 29 Jan 1850 in Georgia; died on 24 Nov 1923 in Texas; was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Yellowpine, Sabine County, Texas.
- Alfred Horton "Bubba" Conner was born on 24 Feb 1852 in Florida; died on 3 Dec 1924 in Orange, Orange County, Texas.
- William E. Conner was born on 15 Nov 1854 in Florida; died on 31 Mar 1887 in Sabine County, Texas; was buried in Conner Cemetery, Sabine County, Texas.
- Catherine Piercey Conner was born about 1858 in Florida; and died.
- John M. Conner was born about 1861 in Sabine County, Texas; and died.
- Nancy B. Conner was born on 8 Oct 1870 in Sabine County, Texas; died on 8 Sep 1938 in Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas; was buried in Spring Hill Cemetery, Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas.
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