When Hannah Williamson Thaxton, widow of
Thomas Thaxton (b. 1744-1747 probably Goochland Co., Va., d. 1824 Allen or Simpson Co., Ky), sought a pension for her husband’s Revolutionary War service, she said that her husband had hired an attorney to pursue a pension, but he then died and nothing was ever done with it. Perhaps unknown to her, the first steps had in fact been taken: Thomas went before the Circuit Court in Simpson County, Kentucky, and described his service, his assets, and the children who were then living with him. This is a pretty exciting document, for several reasons: It gave us a previously unknown daughter (Jemima), it tells us that Thomas had 21 children, and it gives us a first-hand summary of his service. We also should look into the witnesses as to his assets; are they related? I will be posting a photocopy of the court statement; because of its importance, I am also posting the best transcription I could make:
Simpson County, Kentucky, Circuit Court order book A-1, pp. 81-82, Tuesday, 22 Jul 1823, seventh day [of the current session. Note: document erroneously says April in a couple of places]. This book is unindexed; I skimmed the entries from 1822 through 22 Jul 1823 and found that a day earlier, Thomas had served on a jury that found Susanna Kelley to be of unsound mind.]
Commonwealth of Kentucky Simpson circuit & County ct At a circuit court began and held for the county of Simpson on the second Monday in April 1823 personally appeared in open court on the eight day of said court it being a court of record before the Honorable Henry P Broadnax Judge of the Sixth Judicial district for said commonwealth Thomas Thackiston age seventy five or six years resident in Simpson County who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath represent and declare that he served in the revolutionary war as follows that he volunteered sometime in the year 1780 in a company commanded by captain Robert Moore in the Regiment of Con
l James Thacston of Hillsborough N. Carolina that he with the Regiment was marched to and stationed at Halifax courthouse Va where they remained about two months and there being no immediate use for them they where permitted to return home but to wait in readiness subjeck to a call at any time that they had not long been at home before they were called out to support General Lincoln in compelling the British to raise the siege of Charleston That on the march their officers were deposed regular officers plaised in command over them that from the critical situation of the country at that time they where detained in the servis about nine or ten months during which time he fought in the Battles of Stones ferry and several other slight engagements he thinks he was discharged from this service in the winter following my inlistment That some time in the next spring or summer as well as he recollects when Lord Cornwallis was overstriding our Country another call was made on the militia of our state No Carolina for a reinforcement that he among others under the command of Major Hall or Henry D__n tho in regular order joined Genl Greene a short time before the battle at Gilford courthouse in which he also fought that he remained in the servise for something like two months and was again permitted to return home where he was engaged against the Tories and Indians until the cloas of war. And I solemnly sware was a resident citizen of the UStates on the 18
th day of March 1818 And that have not since that time by gift sale or any other wise disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself with the provisions of an act of congress entitled an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the ustates in the revolutionary war passed on the 18
th day of March 1818 And that have not nor has any person in Trust for me any property or secret contracts or debts due to me nor have any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto on ___t and by me subscribed have no real property and live on rented land which I am myself unable to still from a strain got in my thigh during service in the revolutionary war which in my old age has rendered it almost useless – have a mare and clott worth about $40 five head of cattle worth about $25 or 30 and three head of hoggs worth $3 or 4 – have had twenty one children seven of whom are living with me the eldest a daughter about 16 years of age named Jemima Williamson a boy about Fourteen years of age can do some work George about eleven years old a sprightly boy & able to help me some Matilday about nine years old Thomas seven years old Milly between five & six – Phebe four & Sally about eighteen months of age sworn to and declared on the twenty second day of April 1823 Thomas Thaxston [T - his mark] and which declaration and statement was duly sworn to and it is moreover Ordered to be certified that it is proven to the satisfaction of the court by the oaths of Robert Rankins and Allen Jones Junr two credible witnesses that he total value of the property exhibited in the foregoing schedule of Thos Thackston is seventy four dollars a certificate of which endorsed on said declaration is in the words and figures following, To wit,
State of Kentucky Franklin To wit, I Henry P Broadnax one of the circuit judges in and for the state aforesaid, and presiding judge of the circuit court held for this county of Simpson do hereby certify the amount and value of the property contained in the within schedule was proved in open court by two witnesses to be all that this applicant was worth and I am satisfied with the testimony of the said witnesses. Given under my hand & seal this 22 July 1823. Henry P. Broadnax.
Brown and Smith families of Van Zandt county, Texas
Some information about the family of James Brown (son of Martha Thaxton and Thomas Brown of Allen Co., Ky., and Sangamon Co., Ill.; grandson of Thomas Thaxton and Jemima Cobb):
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From Graveyards of Van Zandt County, Tx., Van Zandt Gen’l Society, Vol. C, White Rose Cemetery:
Block 1, Row 11 (in order in the row):
Little Polly Brown, 09 Nov 1874 – 01 Oct 1875 daughter of G. W. & Ella
James Brown, 05 Dec 1812 – 14 Jun 1874, Father
Eliza Brown, 14 Feb 1824 – 10 Feb 1898, Mother
John C. Brown, 14 May 1839 – 17 Aug 1892, G.A.R.
Others in that row: Inf. Downing, 1878-1879, d/o A.B. & C; W. B. Lane, 1832-1883 s/o Sarah; Clota Burnett Stroup, 1886-1952; Nola Stateler 1880-1881 and Ettie Stateler, 1879-1879, both d/o S.D. & E, Mary E. Pate High, 1857-1894, w/o A.J.; several Haydens.
Block 1, Row 12:
W. J. Smith, 17 Mar 1839 – 30 Jan 1886, b. Coshocton, OH
Mrs. P. J. Smith, 01 Dec 1847 – 15 Apr 1921
Others in row: Robisons (from Alabama), Bowlden, McMahan, High, Pate, Hayden.
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Original will of Eliza Brown, Probate Minute Book 4:290 (abstract)
07 Dec 1897, Eliza Brown of Canton, Van Zandt County, of the age of 82. Leaves to her beloved daughter P.J. Haynes her property in Wills Point, Texas, as reflected in a deed to Eliza from the O’Neals, Deed Bk S:743-744. If any part of the property remains at her daughter’s death, it is bequeathed to “my two grandsons, to wit: Louie and Will A. Smith.” Appoints grandson Will A. Smith executor. Witnesses W. J. Greer of Wills Point, T. P. Davis of Canton.
June 1898 petition: Will A. Smith of Bowie County attests that Eliza died 08 Mar 1898 [note: March, not February as gravestone erroneously states] in Canton, Texas. Legatee P. J. Haynes is of Van Zandt County. Attorney for petitioner Smith is W. L. Haynes. Appraisers of Eliza’s estate (consisting only of the property in Wills Point) are J. A. Pate, B. R. Goodwin, and J. F. Sallie.
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From the book Early Obituaries and Death Notices of Van Zandt County, Texas 1874-1900, Vol. I, Van Zandt County Gen’l Society:
Wills Point Chronicle, 10 Mar 1898:
Died, at the residence in Canton, Tuesday morning the 8th inst., Grandma Brown, the venerable mother of Mrs. W. L. Haynes. The funeral took place at White Rose cemetery, this place, yesterday at noon, Rev. A. E. Ewell, pastor of the Christian church, conducting the service. Grandma Brown has been a resident of Wills Point, with the exception of a few years, nearly since her creation and has acquired a host of friends and acquaintances who will regret to learn of her death. To the bereaved daughter who soothed the last fleeting days with uninterrupted watchfulness and attention and to the friends generally the Chronicle extends sincerest sympathy.
Wills Point Chronicle, 04 Feb 1886:
A universal feeling of sadness was caused in our community last Saturday evening by the announcement on the streets of the death of Capt. W. J. Smith. But few knew of his serious illness before they heard of his death, as he had been sick only two or three days. During that coldest weather he was driving the mail back from this place to Canton, and being a man who never shrank from any duty, it is probable that the exposure brought on the severe attack of pneumonia which soon proved fatal. Capt. Smith has been a citizen of Wills Point almost since the town was founded. He was many years in the employment of the Texas & Pacific Railway Co. He has successfully conducted the hotel known as the O’Neal House and in every position he proved himself a faithful and industrious man. He had no enemies – every one spoke in the highest terms of him as a Christian gentleman. He was a consistent member of the Christian church at this place. Funeral services, conducted by Elder J. T. Poe of Longview, were held at his residence Sunday evening, where was gathered a large concourse of the people of our city. He was buried in the City cemetery. The funeral procession was one of the largest we have seen in the city. The Chronicle extends its deepest sympathy to the afflicted family and relatives. He leaves a wife and three sons.
Wills Point Chronicle, 22 Aug 1907:
Lengthy obituary of County Judge W. L. Haynes (in a hurry; no time to type entire entry – abstract follows)
Catarrh of the stomach and bowels, d. Canton 15 Aug. Burial White Rose under auspices of Odd Fellows lodge and Wills Point camp of Confederate veterans. Born 07 Nov 1843 Yell Co., Ark. Moved to Texas 1866 and to Van Zandt Co. in 1872. Has resided at Wills Point, Grand Saline and Canton. Civil War – 12th Arkansas infantry, promoted to 2nd Lt. Methodist church. Widow and six children – Slone Haynes of Okalona, Ark., Miss Laura, Andrew, Robert, Ed and Will Haynes-survive him.
