#52ancestors Post Thirty-Nine:Terrell Bryan Managed a Poor Farm in Erath County

Terrell and Harriet Albritton Bryan

The writing prompt for post #39 of #52ancestors is on the farm. According to census records in both Louisiana and Texas, Terrell Bryan was a farmer. Terrell left Bienville Parish and was in Eastland County by 1877. The family moved to Erath County in 1878. On the 1880 census, it was reported Terrell was a farmer. 

However, I am not writing about Terrell Bryan, the farmer. He did not appear to be a serious farmer and was found attempting other businesses or working for the county throughout much of his time in Texas. For a few years, in the 1880s, Terrell Bryan was the superintendent of the Erath County Poor Farm. 

Poor farms were county or town-run residences where paupers (mainly elderly and disabled people) were supported at public expense. Sometimes, those committing crimes were also sent to the poor farms. In Erath County, records between 1883 and 1898 indicate some charged with lunacy, theft, assault, adultery, gambling, and vagrancy were sent to the Poor Farm. 

The first mention I found of the Erath County Poor Farm, in old newspapers, was the following seen in the Brenham Daily Banner (Nov 28, 1880) - It was announced that Erath County was going to have a poor farm. 

In November 1882, the Erath County Poor Farm was available for rent and listed in the Stephenville Empire that all those desiring to rent the poor farm were to meet with the Commissioner's Court in Stephenville on November 27, 1882. 

Terell Bryan must have been chosen as he was found managing and living on the Erath County Poor Farm in 1883, 1884, 1885, and 1886. I suspect he was there in 1887 as well. I would love to know the terms. How much did he pay to rent, what was his income, did his family have their own home, and how many other buildings were on the property?

This photo of the youngest Bryan daughter, Laura Louise,
was sent to family in Bienville Parish, LA about 1884. 

On July 28, 1880, Terrell purchased 156 acres of land. Was this near the Poor Farm? Did he continue to farm it? I found two newspaper articles indicating Terrell's home was on the poor farm. 

In 1882, Terrell and Harriet probably had five children living at home; Fannie (age 23), Alice Amanda (age 14), Redic (age 11), Dollie (age 9), and Laura (age 4). James T. Bryan was born in 1884, probably on the poor farm, and died that same year. Two other daughters, Hollen Latta and Terrell (Bunch) Biggs were married and not living at home. 

During his time managing the Poor Farm, the children attended school regularly, Terrell purchased a new sewing machine for Harriet, and money was spent on family photos. They did not appear to be lacking everyday necessities. 

From the Brenham Daily Banner (December 8, 1887) - The county commissioners of Erath county have decided to establish a poor farm. The cost of maintaining its paupers is between $2000 and $2500 a year. This must have been the new Poor Farm as in the summer of 1888 the old poor farm, located southwest from Stephenville, was for sale. 

On December 1, 1888, this was found in the Stephenville Empire - The old poor farm situated near the suburbs of Stephenville, is offered for sale. Anyone desiring to avail himself of splendid school facilities should purchase this farm. It is situated about a mile from the college. 

Also found in the December 1, 1888 issue - The old commissioner's court contracted with L. D. Moore on Nov. 15, to operate the poor farm for one year at a salary of $600 per year. Mr. Moore is required to give his entire time as superintendent, and also to make a hand at labor, and furnish a wagon. 

On December 20, 1888, sealed bids for the old poor farm were going to be considered. 

If you want to know more about the families I research, click here to like my Facebook page where you will see each post and other genealogical finds. 

Diana

© 2018

Sources

1880 United States Federal Census for Terrell Bryan. Ancestry.com. Web. 1 Oct. 2018. <https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/6742/4244722-00244/40428579?indiv=try&h&db>


C. Shipman (personal communication, September 10, 2006) From the Sheriff's Jail Log

Family photographs and documents from the collection of  Diana Bryan Quinn

Family photographs and documents from the collection of Marguerite Cook Clark. Accessed April 28, 2014, September 14, 2014, and November 9 to 11, 2016. Used with permission.

Moments in Time, A Genealogy Blog: If Your Family Lived in Erath County, Texas  Blogger, 31 Jul 2017. Web. 1 Oct. 2018. <https://momentsintimeagenealogyblog.blogspot.com/2017/07/if-your-family-lived-in-erath-county.html>.

The Portal to Texas History. University of North Texas Libraries, 2004. Web. 30 Jul. 2017. <https://texashistory.unt.edu/>.

#52ancestors Post Forty-One: Aunt Marie Played Bridge

DeRay Bryan, Whit Bryan (Dad), and Marie Bryan - Virginia Beach, Virginia 1959

Dad said Marie was quite a good cook. 

This week's post for #52ancesters is Sports. I have looked through photos and all of my binders to find something relating to sports and cannot find anything I haven't already posted. 

My Dad's sister, Marie, loved to play bridge. I found the clipping below when searching old newspapers. She won second place in a tournament in 1962. 

Click here to see photos and more about Marie Bryan. 

See this clipping and many others related to my families
at Newspapers.com 

 If you want to know more about the families I research, click here to like my Facebook page where you will see each post and other genealogical finds. 

Diana

© 2018

#52ancestors Post Forty:Transcriptions from The Baylor County Banner - 1910

This is post #40 of #52ancestors. I am a little behind as I have not yet posted #38 (new information about the Giddens store in Phillipsburg) and #39 (Terrell Bryan and the Poor Farm).  They will be up soon. 

Post #40's writing prompt was 10 so I decided to post my transcriptions of the 1910 issues of the Baylor County Banner, a newspaper published in Seymour, Texas. 

In 1920, my father was born in Baylor County, his siblings spent most of their childhood there, and his maternal grandparents and his parents died in Baylor County before 1930. One of the few ways to learn about Dad's family has been through old newspapers. 

I originally obtained copies of the Banner on microfilm through interlibrary loan from the Texas State Archives and Library. I was spending so much time at my local library viewing the films I finally purchased my own and was able to view the films at home on an old microfiche machine purchased on e-bay.

I began posting my transcriptions onto a Rootsweb website in 2006.  I transcribed articles or parts of articles containing information about my family and extended families. I also made note of all births, marriages, and deaths of all Baylor County families.  I have transcribed many issues available from 1905 to 1920 as well as parts of a scrapbook found in the library in Seymour with many clippings from the 1930s and 1940s. You can see this information on my old web pages by clicking on this link. 

HOWEVER, I no longer see a reason to transcribe additional issues of the Banner. Many of the issues can be searched at The Portal to Texas History (FREE) or for a fee at NEWSPAPER ARCHIVES.com.

Transcriptions from The Baylor County Banner - 1910

These transcriptions are from the Baylor County Banner issues dating from January 14, 1910 to June 24, 1910.

* indicates that the entire article is included in the notes below. 


January 14, 1910

Terrell Hammett came Dec. 31 from Oklahoma to attend the bedside of his younger brother, Howell, who is very sick with dropsy. *


February 4, 1910

D. T. Gleghorn, on E. B. Fuller’s place, paid his subscription the other day and says he is not kicking about the way his crop turned out the past year.  He had in 70 acres of cotton and gathered 23 bales.  He sold it for an average of 14 cents, three bales brought 15 cents which together with the seed would make $85 per bale or about $2,000 for the crop.  I wouldn’t kick either.*


February 18, 1910

Bomarton News - Homer Cox Dead  -  Homer Cox died Friday night at the home of his sister-in-law, Mrs. Jno. Y. Elliott, with heart trouble.  He had not been sick enough to take to his bed.  His father, T. A. Cox and brother, Paul Cox both live here. Another brother and Prof. Tibbett came up from Alvord to attend the funeral Sunday. Prof. Tibbett spoke a few appropriate words at the grave.  Deceased was 23 years of age. *


March 4, 1910

Levelview - Tom Cox’s little boy has been sick with cold.

Levelview - Messrs. Gleghorn are moving to the house vacated by W. W. Slaughter and J. L. Castleberry will move into the house vacated by Mr. Glegghorn


March 18, 1910

How many of us are lucky enough to find a bio of family in the newspaper? This is my grandfather, Redic Eli Bryan.

For Assessor
By referring to the announcement column it will be seen that the name of Redic E. Bryan appears there as a candidate for the office of Tax Assessor.  As he is not thoroughly known to our people it might be well to give something of his biography.  Mr. Bryan was born in Louisiana but moved to Texas and to Erath County with his parents when he was only eight years of age.  He attended a good school at Stephenville and upon completion of his school days he acquired a first-grade certificate and taught for five years in that county. 

Five years ago he moved with his family to Baylor county and settled on a farm in Levelview community, northwest of town.  He has been living there ever since, except a period of eighteen months when he was at Big Springs for his wife’s health.  His life in our midst has been an exemplary one and he has earned the high regard of the people with whom he has been associated.

Mr. Bryan is forty years of age and is in the prime of his usefulness.  He is a robust, vigorous man, fully capable physically to cope with the cares of office.  He has also had the training that would fit him for the position he seeks.  That he is perfectly honest and trustworthy is not to be doubted for an instant.  He will refer you to anybody that knew him where he came from or who has known him here as to his character.

Being thus qualified, Mr. Bryan believes he can serve the people in the capacity of assessor to their entire satisfaction.  And no effort will be spared on his part in case he is elected, to make of himself a good officer.  He is determined that his race will be a perfectly clean one.  He has not a word to say against his opponent, whom he believes to be a good and capable man.  But he believes in rotation of office and believes that all public favors should not be given one man, no matter how good that man may be.

Mr. Bryan is at some disadvantage in not knowing everybody, but he intends to make a thorough canvas and will try if possible to meet you before the July primary.  He asks for a careful consideration of his candidacy on the part of the voter.  Mr. Bryan is a good man and qualified for the office he seeks.  If the voters of our county should feel constrained to give him their ballot it is safe to say they would have no great cause to regret their action. *

This card was found in the Bryan family Bible.  Redic E. Bryan was my grandfather. 
Written on the back is "J. B. Cauble, Big Springs, Texas."

 April 15, 1910

To the Voters of Baylor County    -   Stephenville, March 28, 1910  -  Baylor County Banner      Seymour, Texas

 Dear Sirs: - I notice from the columns of your valuable paper that R. E. Bryan, who formerly lived in this county, (Erath) is a Candidate for Tax Assessor of Baylor County, and I take this opportunity to say a few words in his behalf.  Mr. Bryan lived for many years in this county., and I knew him intimately and well. He is an energetic, forceful man of strong convictions and rugged honesty.  He his also an man of largely  {paper torn} than average ability.  He taught school for five years in this county and was counted one of our best teachers. He is a conservative man, but with an open and liberal mind; in short he is a type of that hustling energetic honest young man that is making this one of the greatest periods in the world’s history.  And while I have no desire to be officious yet I cannot refrain from giving my commendation to Mr. Bryan, and predicting that if the people of your county see fit to elect him to the office named, that he will give them one of the best administrations the county has ever had.  W. H. Frey, President Farmers Nat. Bank



The stork visited the home of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Cox the night of the third and left in their care an 11 ½  pound boy.  Mother and son are doing well.


April 22, 1910

R. E. Bryan says a fine girl arrived at his home Saturday night.  He thinks this will cause a number of young fellows to {paper torn} Note: This was the birth announcement for the Bryan’s fourth child Willie May aka Willa Mae Bryan.

Levelview - The stork visited the home of Mr. and Mrs. R. E. Bryan Saturday night, the 16th and left in their care a little Miss Bryan.

Levelview -   The fruit supper at Mr. Hammett’s last Friday was well attended and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.  It was given in honor of Terrell Hammett on his 20th birthday.

Mabelle  - Sheriff E. L. Craddock was seen in our community Thursday also J. B. Self and R. E. Bryan.

Ample - J. M. Thomas of Seymour and Redick E. Bryan of Levelview, both candidates and friends of Prof. C. S. Bowles, made his school at Corn a visit last week and both gentlemen favored the school with an interesting address.

Levelview  - Mrs. Mays and daughter Eula are visiting Mr. and Mrs. Tom Cox this week.

Levelview  - The young folks went to Tom Cox’s to take dinner with the Misses Cox, these were Frank Wiley, Miss Trixie Hammett, John Mays, Miss Ollie Hammett, Fate Hudgens, and Miss Della Watts.


April 29, 1910

Dr. R. G. Murrie of Albany was here Wednesday visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Murrie. Gregg now weighs 198 pounds.  He is preparing to enter John Hopkins University for a post graduate course in medicine.

Miss Ovie Word married M. C. Lacey in El Paso

Mark Twain died

England - R. E. Bryan, candidate for assessor was out this way last week.


May 6, 1910

Levelview - R. E. Bryan and A. B. Hawkins  made a flying trip to Mule Creek Sunday.


May 13, 1910

Levelview - Mr. and Mrs. P. A. Hairston attended the funeral of Mrs. Scott in Seymour Sunday afternoon.

Grandma Scott Dies
Sunday morning, May 8 at 4 o’clock Grandma M. A. Scott breathed her last.  She had been sick for a long time with kidney trouble and for several months had been gradually growing worse.  Anticipating the end, her children had all been here to visit her and all but one were present when she died.  The funeral took place at the residence on Sunday afternoon at 4 o’clock. Her pastor, Rev. O. E. Clark, conducted the services. A long procession of sorrowing relatives and friends followed the remains to the cemetery. 

 Grandma Scott died at the advanced age of 80 years and was the last one of nine children. She moved to Baylor County in 1879, being one of the first settlers, and lived a few years at Round Timber, after which she moved to Seymour.  During her long residence here, she has won the love and esteem of all those who have known her.  She had become a familiar figure in the town and her presence will be sadly missed.  For sixty years Mrs. Scott has been a faithful member of the Baptist church.  Her life has been an exemplary one and she could lie down in death without fear or trembling.

Deceased leaves six children:  Ben Scott and Mrs. J. S. Foster of this place, J. G. Scott of Tahoka, Holly Scott of Roosevelt, Okla., Mrs. Reeder of Knox City, and Mrs. N. A. Green of Estelline.  People of Seymour join those in sorrow for the death of this good woman.  We have this consolation, though, that she had more than lived out her period of years and so lived that her memory will be revered

Note: Mary Ann Selman Scott was the wife of Calvin C. Scott and a descendant of Thomas Selman and Jemimah Greenlease. She was a cousin to my great-grandmother, Lodema Criswell Hairston. Lodema’s grandmother was Nancy Selman, also a descendant of Thomas Selman and Jemimah Greenlease. 


May 20, 1910

Levelview - J. R. Hammett returned home from Louisiana last Thursday where he went to visit his mother (this was community news written on May 16)

J. E. Biggs of Stephenville was here the past week and closed a deal with the Red Springs people to teach in the school there next term.  Mr. Biggs holds a certificate from the Denton Normal and seems to be a man of ability.  Red Springs school has grown to ample proportions and will have three teachers this time.  The term will begin in August and vacation will be taken in November and December for cotton picking.


June 17, 1910

Levelview - R. E. Bryan’s baby is on the sick list.


June 24, 1910

J. R. Hammett of Richland sends the paper to his brother J. D. Hammett of Campti, Louisiana.

R. E. Bryan, candidate for assessor, sends county sheet to his friend J. D. Biggs of Morgan Mill.

Levelview - R. E. Bryan’s baby is slowly recovering.  This would be Willa Mae.



If you want to know more about the families I research, click here to like my Facebook page where you will see each post and other genealogical finds. 

Diana

© 2018

Sources

Family photographs and documents from the collection of Diana Bryan Quinn.

Harrison, O. C., editor. The Baylor County Banner. (Seymour, Tex.), January 14, 1910 to June 24, 1910, Microfilm. 


Quinn, Diana. "Baylor County Banner 1910." Rootsweb FreePages. 22 Jan. 2007. Web. 1 Oct. 2018. http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~bryanquinn/genealogy/BaylorCountyBanner1910.htm

#52ancestors Post Thirty-Seven: Redic E. Bryan was a Member of the Texas Immigration Information Bureau

This week's writing prompt for #52ancestors is closest to your birthday. That means I would need to write about my father's father, Redic Eli Bryan - his birthday was the day after mine. Redic, my grandfather, was born on August 2, 1870 - 85 years before my birth. He died in 1929 so most of what I know about him is what Dad remembered from his childhood or what I read in old newspapers.  

I would have really preferred another topic as I had nothing new, but a search through the photo albums took me to this certificate for the Texas Immigration Information Bureau. Redic was enrolled as a member of the bureau for one term - August 1915 to July 1916. 

According to the certificate, the Bryan family was living in Knox County, Texas close to their longtime home of Baylor County.  Redic spent two terms as Tax Assessor in Baylor County (ending in 1914). He didn't run for a third term. It might be that he believed in rotation of office and had promised to serve only two terms. 

"TRUTH About Texas." contains Texas Land
Bulletin, land laws, and federal farm loan
law protecting land buyers against inflated
values, $2 per year, 25c per copy.
Texas Immigration Information Bureau, Dallas.
Found in The Wichita Beacon (Wichita, Kansas),
December 2, 1916, page 19. 

Was the Texas Immigration Information Bureau Redic's current job in 1915? Further Internet research didn't answer my question. I did learn this bureau was not a government job and had nothing to do with the United States naturalization process. 

A publication of this bureau, Truth about Texas, was found in Southern Methodist University's digital collections. This publication is a promotional booklet, which highlights specific cities, counties, and regions of Texas and describes living conditions. Agricultural, business, and manufacturing opportunities are listed as well as real estate available for sale or exchange.

The Texas Immigration Information Bureau, a state-chartered institution, was formed by businessmen to protect home seekers and investors by presenting statistical, geographical, and other information about properties for sale. 

I suspect Redic may have been paid during his term as Texas Immigration Information Bureau member. Information about land for sale and other county information was needed for each publication. Dissemination of information and publications must also have been a need. 

If Redic was paid, I'm sure it was not enough to support his family. From information found in the Baylor County Banner at The Portal to Texas History, I learned he left Seymour in Baylor County for nearby Vera in January 1915 to open a store.  In August 1915, his wife and children moved back to Seymour. In January 1916, Redic sold his business in Vera to Penick-Hughes of Stamford. He worked for a time in Spur, Texas and made a few trips to other parts of Texas and one to Denver. In June 1916, he opened a store in Seymour where he sold ice and later, produce. I wonder if he finished his term with the Texas Immigration Information Bureau?

If you want to know more about the families I research, click here to like my Facebook page where you will see each post and other genealogical finds. 

Diana

© 2018

Sources

Family photographs and documents from the collection of Diana Bryan Quinn

The Portal to Texas History. The Baylor County Banner. Web. 16 Sep. 2018. <https://texashistory.unt.edu/explore/collections/BAYCN/>.

The Wichita Beacon. Texas Immigration Information Bureau. Newspapers.com. 1916. Web. 16 Sep. 2018. <https://www.newspapers.com/clip/23783892/texas_immigration_information_bureau/>.

Truth about Texas, Vol. IV, No. 2. Texas - Photographs, Manuscripts, and Imprints. DeGolyer Library, Southern Methodist University., Digitized: 2018. Web. 16 Sep. 2018. <http://digitalcollections.smu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/tex/id/2544>.

#52ancestors Post Thirty-Six: Mitchell Giddens was a Shoemaker

August 4, 1834 - Sale of shoes, by Mitchell Giddens, as well as patching, mending,
and adding soles to shoes for Jesse Oates. This was found with other receipts
paid by the administrator of Jesse Oates' estate.

This week's writing prompt for #52ancestors is work.  I choose to write about Mitchell Giddens as one of the few documented facts about Mitchell is his occupation of shoemaker. 

December 25, 1833 - Sale of shoes, by Mitchell Giddens, as well as patching, mending,
and adding soles to shoes for John L. Clifton. 

According to a handwritten record from another family member's research, Mitchell was born on October 12, 1802, and died on December 18, 1852.  Dates for other family members have been accurate so I can only assume this is correct. I suspect these dates were copied from a Bible, but I may never know. 

Mitchell was born the year his father died in Wayne County, North Carolina. Mitchell's mother was thought to be Sarah Taylor. John's estate was divided equally between his wife and eight children. Six of Mitchell's siblings have been documented; Isaac, John, Jacob, David, Elizabeth, and Abram/Abraham. An eighth sibling has not been identified.  Mitchell's mother married Jesse Flowers prior to 1810. 

Mitchell and at least two of his siblings were minors when their father died.
Court records were found showing Jesse Flowers, their mother's husband,
was appointed guardian. However, there appeared to be some
mismanagement of the children's inheritance and Stephen Smith
was appointed guardian of the children. 

In 1835, Mitchell witnessed the will of Bryan King in Sampson County. Mitchell was living in the Buck Swamp district of Wayne County in 1840 and the census indicated he had a wife and three young children under the age of 5. Mitchell was to married Letisha Britt, daughter of William C. Britt and Patience Bell. No marriage record has been found. 

Mitchell remained in Wayne County through at least 1841 where he was found that year
on a voter list. In this 1850 census record, the Mitchell Giddens family was found living
in Duplin County. Mitchell's occupation was listed as shoemaker. 

On November 2, 1852 in Duplin County, Mitchell Giddens signed a petition to remit the remaining term of William Barnham's prison time. Barnham was convicted of manslaughter for killing a nine-year-old boy. Barnham was described as having feeble intellect. James T. Giddens, Henry B. Giddens, and Lewis D. Giddens also signed the petition. 

A little over a month later, on December 18, 1852, it is reported by a family member that Mitchell died. Nothing documents the location or cause of his death; however, on December 18, 1852, it was reported a man died on the tracks near the Warsaw Depot. Warsaw was in Duplin County. Was this Mitchell Giddens? 

Found at Newspaper.com

Mitchell's burial place is unknown. At Find A Grave, it is suggested he was buried in the Troublefield Cemetery in Giddensville where his wife, Letisha was buried in 1895.  This is unlikely as it wasn't until the 1860s when his sons purchased land and opened businesses in Sampson County that Giddensville was established. The earliest known burial in the Troublefield Cemetery was that of Peter B. Troublefield in 1872.

No probate record for Mitchell was found. In 1860 Letisha was living in 
Buck Swamp district of Wayne County with children; Sally, Henry, David, 
Mary, and Rustus (Bryant). Daughter, Patience Elizabeth is living nearby 
with her grandfather, William Britt. Son, George was working as a 
daguerreotypist in or near Clinton in Sampson County. Son,  John was 
working as a turpentine distiller in Piney Grove, Sampson County. 
Son, James T. Giddens could not be found in the 1860 census. 

If you want to know more about the families I research, click here to like my Facebook page where you will see each post and other genealogical finds. 

Diana

© 2018

Sources

Clifton, John L. Papers, 1784-2001 and n.d.; (bulk 1830-1889) [manuscript]. David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.

Family photographs and documents from the collection of Diana Bryan Quinn

Letisha Giddens {Tisseu Giddings} in the 1860 United States Federal Census. Web. 9 Sep. 2018. <https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=try&h=41555719&dbid=7667>.

Man Killed. 24 Dec 1852, Page 2 - Wilmington Journal at Newspapers.com. 1952. Web. 9 Sep. 2018. <https://www.newspapers.com/image/?spot=16291693>.

Memorials in Troublefield Family Cemetery - Find A Grave.  Web. 9 Sep. 2018. <https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2374018/memorial-search>.

Mitchell Giddens in the 1840 United States Federal Census. Web. 9 Sep. 2018. <https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=try&h=2580516&dbid=8057>

Mitchel Giddens in the 1850 United States Federal Census. Web. 9 Sep. 2018. <https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=try&h=12703238&dbid=8054>.

"North Carolina Estate Files, 1663-1979," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99CF-2PZQ?cc=1911121&wc=Q649-S69%3A1066694502%2C183295401%2C1066696236 : 21 May 2014), Wayne County > G > Giddens, John (1802) > image 28 of 30; State Archives, Raleigh.