Terrell Bryan at the 1894 Dublin, Texas Veteran's Reunion

Terrell Bryan 1836 - 1920

I was surprised to find this article at Newspapers.com. Revisiting my searches pays off as newspaper sites continually add new content. I especially appreciate Newspapers.com for providing tools that make it easy to share articles like this on my blog.

This article from 1894 describes a reunion of Civil War veterans in Dublin, Erath County, Texas. It highlights the involvement of ex-Confederates in hosting the event, which also included members of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), a post-Civil War organization for Union veterans focused on supporting veterans and commemorating the war. The event was marked by emotional reunions, camaraderie, and shared experiences between veterans.

The following was written about my great-grandfather, Terrell Bryan:

Terrell Bryan, an ex-confederate of Stephenville, wants to meet or learn the address of the Union soldier who left the ranks of his command at Chickamauga on Sept. 20, 1863, and faced the bullets to give him a drink of water from his canteen as he lay wounded on the field.

This article provides valuable details to add to Terrell's story, including the date and location of his injury and his participation in the 1894 reunion.

NOTE: Before writing this post, I used AI to summarize the newspaper article, learn about the GAR, and generate a list of all the individuals mentioned. While the summary contained some inaccuracies and the name list required significant additions and corrections, it still helped save time.

Persons named in the article:     

                      

Gen. J.T. Harris

Major S.T. Oldham

Major T.E. Gillett

Col. A.L. Murphy

Capt. John Roch

Mayor R. H. McCain

Col. H.A. Smith

Col. Connally

Edwin Ketchum

Gen. Bigger

Terrell Bryan

Capt. W.H. Christain

John Roch

Prof. Avery Brown

J.J. Collins

W.G. Mancill

R.W. Mancill

Warren Taylor

Edwin Wilson

Tom Clegg

Harry Hall

Joe Loveindy

Matt Simms

George Foreman

H.W. Patterson

Tom Lacy

O.M. Redfield

G. W. Rose

J. S. Cook

J.T. Wilson

B.F. Allen

E.P. Patterson

Ed Thomas

George Spencer

Walter Clegg

W.H. Cutis

Capt. T.O. Moore

John Hunter

Mrs. Hattie A. Loring

Father T. K. Crowley

Terrell Bryan - Dublin Reunion including GAR 07 Apr 1894, Sat The Galveston Daily News (Galveston, Texas) 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

© 2025 

ChatGPT, prompt "Give me a list of names found in the article," January 26, 2025, OpenAI, https://chatgpt.com.

ChatGPT, prompt "Summarize this article and give me a brief explanation of the GAR," January 26, 2025, OpenAI, https://chatgpt.com.

Terrell Bryan - Dublin Reunion including GAR 07 Apr 1894, Sat The Galveston Daily News (Galveston, Texas) Newspapers.com

Navigating the History of Erath's Old Poor Farm with New Technologies

Terrell Bryan and his wife, Harriet Albritton

In 2018, I wrote the blog post Terrell Bryan Managed a Poor Farm in Erath County, Texas. I learned much about Terrell Bryan and the poor farm from old newspapers and a few county court records. Records showed that Terrell, my great-grandfather, managed a poor farm from about 1883 to 1887. In 1888, the old poor farm was sold, and a new poor farm was established. Little is known about the old poor farm, and its location was only seen in newspaper ads as "about a mile from the college" and "southwest of Stephenville." 

Six years ago, locating the site would have required a lengthy examination of deed records. However, recently developed technological advancements have enabled me to perform searches and transcriptions in minutes. Simply entering +"poor farm" + Erath into the new Full-Text Search at FamilySearch.org resulted in two deeds describing Erath's "old poor farm."

From these two deeds, I learned that on 9 November 1877, J. B. Hill purchased land from Matilda Duprey, widow of J. B. Duprey. At the time, C. H. Walker was the administrator of the J. B. Duprey estate. 

J. B. Hill sold part or all of this land to Erath County on 10 August 1880. 

On 20 February 1889, J.L. Humphries, serving as the County Judge of Erath, sold the land known as the Old Poor Farm to J.W. Ferguson for $300 and the further consideration of two promissory notes. 

These dates line up perfectly with the accounts found in old newspapers. On 28 November 1880, the Brenham Daily Banner announced that Erath County was going to establish a poor farm. Eight years later, on 20 December 1888, sealed bids for the sale of the old poor farm were being considered. 

The location of the "old poor farm" can be seen in the deeds. I used ChatGPT, an Artificial Intelligence system, to make the transcriptions found at FamilySearch easier to read. I also asked ChatGPT to explain the deeds to me in a timeline manner to better understand the past transactions described in the deeds. Transcriptions of the deeds can be seen below. 

Found in Deed Book 27, Pages 211-212

The State of Texas, County of Erath

Know all men by these presents that I  J.L. Humphries County Judge of the County of Erath and State aforesaid in consideration of the sum of 300.00 Three hundred Dollars to me in hand paid by J.W. Ferguson and the further consideration of two promissory notes bearing even date herewith and bearing 10% interest from date until paid for the sum of one hundred and fifty Dollars each have Granted sold and conveyed and by these presents do Grant Sell and Convey unto the said J.W. Ferguson of the County of Erath and State of Texas all that certain tract or parcel of land to wit. Sixty-three acres of land more or less situated about one half mile South of Stephenville, Erath County, Texas, being the same land purchased by J.B. Hill and J.F. Hill from Mrs. Matilda Duprey and from C.H. Walker, administrator of J.B. Duprey deceased. For a more particular description of which, reference is hereby made to the deeds of said Matilda Duprey and Walker to the said J.B. Hill except those parts of said land sold by the said J.B. & J.F. Hill to Mrs. E. Hazlewood and to W.W. Hickey and by said J.B. Hill to J.H. Parr but including in this conveyance Seven and a half acres of land bought by said J.B. Hill from Mrs Hazlewood by deed dated 9th day of November 1877 to which reference is hereby made for a more particular description of said Seven and a half acres this Deed intended to convey Fifty three acres more or less the same as known as the old Poor Farm of Erath County and deeded by J B Hill to Erath County on the 10th day of August A D 1880. To have and to hold the above described premises together with all and singular the rights and appurtenances thereto belonging unto the said James W. Ferguson his heirs and assigns forever and I  J.L. Humphries Co Judge as aforesaid hereby bind Erath County to warrant and forever Defend all and singular the said premises unto the said James W Ferguson his heirs and assigns against every person whomsoever lawfully claiming or to claim the same or any part there of in as full and ample a manner as I can convey or aught to convey the same

Witness my hand at Stephenville this 20th day of February A D 1889.

J.L. Humphries

County Judge

Erath County, Texas

Found in Deed Book 28, Pages 105-107

The State of Texas, County of Erath

Know all men by these presents that I, J.L. Humphries County Judge of the County of Erath and State aforesaid for and in consideration of the sum of Three hundred ($300) Dollars to me in hand paid by J.W. Helm Ferguson and the further consideration of two promissory notes of even date herewith and bearing 10 percent interest per annum from date until paid for the sum one hundred and fifty Dollars each retaining a vendor's lien for the payment of same have granted sold and conveyed and by these presents do grant sell and convey unto the said J.W. Ferguson of the County of Erath and State of Texas all that certain tract or parcel of land lying and situated about one half a mile South of the town of Stephenville on the Bosque River in the County of Erath and the State of Texas and known as the Old poor farm of Erath County and more particularly described as follows, to wit

A part of the John B. Duprey Survey being the same land purchased by J.B. Hill and J.F. Hill from Mrs Matilda Duprey and from C.H. Walker, administrator of J.B. Duprey deceased. Beginning at the S.E. Corner of a seven and one half acre survey deeded by Mrs. E. Hazlewood to J.H. Hill for S.E. Corner of this an a live oak tree marked J H: 

Thence N. 36° W. passing N.E. Corner of Said Seven and one half acres tract 554 varas  a corner in bed of branch from which a rock Boulder on north bank of Branch marked X bears N 43 W. 4 vrs: Thence up and with the meanderings of said branch to a corner of a 27 acre Survey of land deeded by J.B. Hill to W. W. Hickey, a post oak marked H on Side of branch bears S.W. 1 vara

Thence westwardly 317 varas to a corner in the east line of a survey deeded by J.B. Hill and wife to J.H. Parr.

Thence S. 7° E with east line of the Said Parr Survey 655 varas to a rock pile for a corner from which a Black Jack tree 2 ½ inches in diameter bears S. 55 W. 12 ½ varas and a Live Oak marked X bears S. 9° E. 17 ½ varas: 

Thence N. 60° E. 535 varas to N.W. corner of said seven and one half acres. Survey a Rock pile for corner from which a live oak marked H bears S. 7° E. 15 varas 

Thence S. 63° E 185 varas to a rock pile, on prairie for S.W. corner of Same.

Thence N. 60° E. 216 Varas to the place of beginning containing 53 acres of land more or less

to have and to hold the above described premises together with all and singular the rights and appurtenances thereto in any wise belonging unto the said J.W. Ferguson   I  J.L. Humphries County Judge as aforesaid heirs and assigns forever and do hereby bind Erath County to warrant and forever defend all and singular the said premises unto the said J.W. Ferguson his heirs and assigns against every person whomsoever lawfully claiming or to claim the same or any part thereof in as full and ample a manner as can convey or aught to convey the same witness my hand at Stephenville this 20 day of February, A.D. 1889

J.C. Humphries 

County Judge

Erath County Texas

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

© 2024 

"#52ancestors Post Thirty-Nine: Terrell Bryan Managed a Poor Farm in Erath County" blog entry, 25 October 2018, Moments in Time: A Genealogy Blog (https://momentsintimeagenealogyblog.blogspot.com/2018/10/52ancestors-post-thirty-nineterrell.html : accessed 24 March 2024).

"Erath County is to have a poor farm," The Daily Banner (Brenham, Texas), 28 Nov 1880,  p.1, col. 3; database and images, The Portal to Texas History (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth478713/ : accessed 24 Mar 2024). 

Erath County, Texas, Deed Book 27: 211-212, Deed, 20 Feb 1889; digital images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3WM-9SR4-M? : accessed 18 March 2024), image 109. 

Erath County, Texas, Deed Book 28: 105-107, Deed, 20 Feb 1889; digital images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3WM-9SGH-C? : accessed 18 March 2024), image 56. 

"Old Poor Farm for Sale," The Stephenville Empire (Stephenville, Texas), 15 Dec 1888,  p.1, col. 4; database and images, The Portal to Texas History  (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth857540/m1/1/zoom/?resolution=4&lat=3804.5&lon=3019.5 : accessed 24 Mar 2024). 

A 50th Anniversary Party in Erath County, Texas - 1962

This invitation and napkin were found in a box of photos and clippings that once belonged to my father's three sisters, Marie Bryan, DeRay Bryan, and Willa Mae Bryan Dudley. 

Clarence Parker Gibson and Sudie Belle Collinsworth were married in Erath County on 6 April 1912 and according to an article about the anniversary event, lived in Stephenville until 1926. Mr. Gibson worked for Gulf Oil Company and spent many years living in Borger, Texas. He retired in 1959, and they moved back to Stephenville in 1960. Although my family had many connections to Erath County, I suspect my Aunts knew Sudie and Clarence from Borger. 

To learn more about this event visit The Portal to Texas History to see a photo and article. 

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

© 2023 

"Gibsons Observe Golden Wedding", Stephenville Empire-Tribune (Stephenville, Texas), 30 April 1962; database and images, The Portal to Texas History  (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth429414/m1/30/zoom/? : accessed 15 January 2023).  

Gibson invitation and napkin, photograph, April 1962; scanned image, from the privately held collection of Diana Quinn, VA 2023.

"Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-1965," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV14-RBF1 : 23 February 2021), Clarence B Gibson and Sudie Collingsworth, 06 Apr 1912; citing Marriage, citing Erath, Texas, United States, Texas State Library, Archives Division, and various Texas county clerks; FHL microfilm 1,428,410.

Erath County (Images of America), a Review and a Chance to Win a Free Book.

I have been researching Erath County records since the late 1990s. My paternal grandparents, Redic Bryan and Myrtie Hairston, were married in Erath County in 1900. My grandfather's parents, Terrell Bryan and Harriet Albritton, emigrated from Louisiana, settled in the Stephenville area around 1878, and are buried in the West End Cemetery. My grandmother's parents, Phillip A. Hairston and Lodema Criswell, moved to Erath from Falls County in 1883. They lived in Bethel near Morgan Mill until leaving, with my grandparents, for Baylor County, Texas in 1905. 

Erath County (Images of America) shows me photographs of the people and places I have been reading about for more than 20 years. Thank you to Sheryl Reed Rascher for an excellent compilation of 19th and 20th-century images. Everyone interested in Erath County families, communities, and history should have this book. 

Sheryl Reed Rascher, whose family has lived in Erath County for six generations, lovingly assembled this book with the assistance of other Erath County experts. Images for the book came from private collections, the Ralph and Dossie Rogers Historic Images Collection, the Stephenville Historical House Museum, and the Dublin Historical Museum. This book gives access to many photographs that may not be available elsewhere. As an avid researcher but not a Texas resident, this book allows me to see many images housed in the local museums that would otherwise require a visit.

The images in the book are organized
within the above eight topics. 

The Introduction first gives a concise history of Erath, and the remainder of the book is organized by topics. I especially liked a photograph of early settlers found in the Early Erath section. The photo, taken in 1903, includes the names, birth dates, place of birth, and date of removal to the area west of Waco. 

My great-grandparents, Terrell Bryan and Harriet Albritton, are pictured on page 88 in the Civic Duties section. 

My only criticism is one I have with the many Images of America books I own; there is no index. Many names, organization names, and community names are found in these books. For researchers, an index would be extremely helpful. 

I highly recommend this wonderful collection of historical photographs to anyone interested in Erath County. Sheryl Reed Rascher's Erath County (Images of America) was published on 12 September 2022 and is available for purchase at Amazon for $23.99.

A Chance to Win a Free Book

As I have two books, I will send one to a lucky winner at no cost. Let me know that you want the book by commenting on my Facebook page on or before 15 October 2022. I will randomly draw a name and contact the winner on 16 October 2022. 

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publishing company for the purposes of review. The author, Sheryl Reed Rascher, send me a complimentary copy for sharing a family photo. However, my opinions are my own and are not influenced by outside sources.

.

Diana

© 2022 

Another Letter from Sallie Bryan Hammett of Bienville Parish, Louisiana to Lizzie Ragan in Terrell County, Georgia - 28 April 1915

Clifford Cook Shelby, sister to Marguerite Cook Clark
Eleanor Mae Hammett Driscoll, youngest daughter of Sallie Bryan Hammett[1]

This is the second of two letters, written by Sallie Bryan Hammett to Lizzie Ragan. Lizzie was looking for genealogical information. At the time Sallie wrote this letter, she was living in Ringgold, Bienville Parish, Louisiana.[2] The first letter can be seen by clicking on this link. 

This letter was not transcribed exactly. Some punctuation and spacing were added to make it easier to read. 

_________________________

April the 28, 1915

Dear cousin Lizzie

Ada E. Hammett [3]

I will try and answer your dear letter which was received several days ago

I should have written sooner but I have been kept so busy I have not had time to write. Ada is down at her Aunt Ida’s [illegible word] this week and everything is mine to do. I washed today and am awful tired

We have been having some rainy weather this week

We were needing rain too but it has cleared off now and looks so pretty

We have a nice garden and I was afraid the fruit was all killed but I see we have plenty of peaches

I am so glad we have for we didn’t have any last year

I will can a plenty if nothing happens to prevent us

Everyone is getting ready for our school commencement. We have a fine school here at this place. Have three teachers. Our little Eleanor Mae will be in the exercises. She is just seven years old but we think she is awful smart for her age. She loves to go to school. We are might proud of her. She will be in several pieces. Wish you could be here. The school closes the 12 of May.

Cousin Lizzie I don’t have Uncle Terrells address but Ada writes to one of his Grand Daughters so she wrote for Uncle Terrells address and as soon as we hear from her we will write you and tell you what it is. He was at Austin Texas at the old soldiers home the last time we heard of him but I don’t know if he is still there or not. Trixie will tell Ada where he is. She told Trixie why she wanted to know his address and I know she will let us hear from her right away and we will write you right away. 

Oh know I do wish we could see each other. I sure would like to see cousin Joes sons we all thought so much of cousin Joe when he was out here. 

I sure did like Uncle John Regan. He was such a good man. Papa loved him as much as he did his own brothers and Uncle Span too your papa. I have heard my papa speak of him so much. 

I waited on Dear Uncle John when he died he had Brights Desease and was sick a long time and suffered so much. I can remember just as well as if it had been a few days ago my dear Papa and mama I do get so anxious to see them sometime in the sweet bye and bye. Never to part any more. Wont that be a grand time when we all meet to part no more. Oh cousin Lizzie if we never meet in this world I believe we will know each other in heaven. We know our parents are gone there and we will all meet there. We can’t afford to not meet them there. Pray for me and mine that we may hold out faithful to the end. 

Well will close with a heart full of love thinking of you.

Write soon to your loving cousin

Sallie Hammett

P. S. I do love to get your letters. 

_________________________

People mentioned in this letter are named below. Click on the links to see more photos and more information about these family members.

Cousin Lizzie was Elizabeth Leurany Ragan and the daughter of Julius Leurany Speight and Dr. Span Regan (later changed to Ragan). Span Regan was the half-brother of Sallie's father, Tillman C. Bryan. [4]

Allie Belle Trott Frye with her
cousin James "Jim" Smylie Hammett [7]

Sallie Manning Bryan Hammett was the daughter of Tilman C. Bryan and Mildred Manning Prothro.  She married Wesley Tilman Hammett, her first cousin, and son of Robert E. Hammett and Dorothy "Dollie" Bryan Hammett. Sallie and Wesley had children Irene, Ada, James Smylie, and Eleanor Mae.[5]

Aunt Ida may have been Sallie's sister who was married to John Henry Sheffield.[6] 

Uncle Terrell was Terrell Bryan, my great-grandfather, who left Louisiana and was in Texas by 1877.  Terrell was a son of Reddick Bryan and Elizabeth S. Bryan, brother to Sallie's father, Tillman, and brother to Wesley's mother, Dorothy. He was half-brother to Lizzie's father, Span.[8]

Terrell Bryan and his wife, Harriet Albritton [9]

Sallie wrote that she last knew of Terrell being in "Austin Texas at the old soldiers home." A copy of a letter Terrell wrote from the Texas Confederate Home can be seen by clicking on this link. At the time of Sallie's letter, Terrell was living in Stephenville, Texas.[10]

Trixie Hammett [13]

Trixie Hammett was the daughter of Alice Amanda Bryan and John Regan Hammett. Alice Amanda was the daughter of Terrell Bryan and John was the brother of Sallie's husband, Wesley Tilman Hammett.[11] Trixie must have sent Terrell's address as I have a copy of a letter Terrell wrote to Lizzie that same year.[12]

Cousin Joe was Joseph Thomas Ragan, son of Span and brother to Lizzie. You can see a photo of him and learn more at Randy's Cousin Web Page.[14] 

Uncle John was John Regan, the son of Elizabeth Regan and her first husband, Joseph Regan, and brother to Span.  John and Span were very young when their mother was widowed and married Reddick Bryan. [15]

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

© 2021 

Sources 

    1. Clifford Cook Shelby and Eleanor Mae Hammett Driscoll, n.d.; digital images, from the privately held photo collection of Marguerite Cook Clark (1913-1989), Waynesville, North Carolina, 2021. Photos were accessed and scanned at the home of Marguerite Cook Clark's daughter in Alpine, Texas on April 28, 2014, September 14, 2014, and November 9 to 11, 2016.

    2.  Letter from Sallie Hammett, (Bienville Parish, Louisiana) to Lizzie Ragan (Bronwood, GA), 28 April 1915; digital copy held in 2021 by D. Quinn (Virginia Beach, VA). Current location of the original letter is unknown. 

    3. "Ada E. Hammett [obituary]," newspaper clipping, 1974, unidentified newspaper, from the privately-held collection of Marguerite Cook Clark (1913-1989), Waynesville, North Carolina, 2021. Obituaries were accessed and scanned at the home of Marguerite Cook Clark's daughter in Alpine, Texas on April 28, 2014, September 14, 2014, and November 9 to 11, 2016.

    4. Letter from E. Ragan Pruitt, (Georgia) to Cousin Diana (Diana B. Quinn), 14 April 2003; This letter containing Regan/Ragan family information is held by D. Quinn (Virginia Beach, VA) in 2021.

    5. Julia Brittain, "Ahnentafel Chart for Reddick Bryan," 1793 - 1991; supplied by J. Brittain, Cypress, Texas, 1999.

    6. Ibid.

    7. Allie Belle Trott Frye and James Smylie Hammett, photograph, n.d.; scanned image, from the privately held photo collection of the Frye Family, San Francisco, 2019.

    8. Terrell Bryan Family Bible Records, 1836 - 1927, The Illustrated Polyglot Household Bible (Philadelphia: G. Zeigler, McCurdy, & Co., 1870), "Family Record," privately held by Diana Bryan Quinn, Virginia Beach, VA, 2021. Also, Diana Quinn, "Ahnentafel Chart for Reddick Bryan and Elizabeth Regan," 1793 - 1991; created by D. Quinn, Virginia Beach, VA, 2004.

    9. Terrell Bryan and Harriet Albritton, photograph, n.d.; scanned image, from the privately held photo collection of J. McAlister, TX, 2001.

    10. Diana Bryan Quinn "Friday's Photo: Terrell Bryan's Twilight Years," blog entry, 28 July 2017, Moments in Time: A Genealogy Blog (https://momentsintimeagenealogyblog.blogspot.com/2016/07/letter-to-lizzie-ragan-from-bryant.html : accessed 9 October 2021).

    11. Ellington, "Hammett/James Family," public tree, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/account/profile/03132af8-0000-0000-0000-000000000000?compareToTestId=68D2EDDB-2A54-4305-9626-096A711BCFA6 : accessed 21 October 2021). 

    12. Letter from Bryan, Terrell  (Stephenville, Erath County, TX) to Miss Lizzie Ragan (Terrell County, GA), 17 October 1915; copy held and sent to Diana B. Quinn in 2003 by E. Ragan Pruitt. 

    13. Trixie Hammett, photograph, n.d.; scanned image, original from the privately held photo collection of R. Warner, TX, 2001

    14. Letter from E. Ragan Pruitt, (Georgia) to Cousin Diana (Diana B. Quinn), 14 April 2003; This letter containing Regan/Ragan family information is held by D. Quinn (Virginia Beach, VA) in 2021. 

    15. Ibid.

From the Files of Marguerite Cook Clark: Belle Hanley Cameron (AKA Belle Latta)

I thought this was going to be a quick and easy post but as I was enlarging the photo, I realized Belle was also the unidentified girl in the Biggs family photo I posted in October.  It has been said Belle was the adopted or foster daughter of Hollon Span Bryan and her husband, James "Lon" Alonzo Latta (See Terrell Bryan's obituary at this link).  She was pictured with the family of Hollon's sister, Terrell "Bunch" Biggs, in the photo below. 

I searched through my notes and the more I found, the more I wanted to know. I now needed the whole story before I could finish this post. 

Friday's Photo: The Biggs Family + One in Erath County, Texas

This photo has always been a puzzle. I looked at it just last week. The three girls didn't appear to match approximate known ages in the family. One family member decided that one of the girls was actually a boy. Nothing made sense until I saw Maureen Taylor's (The Photo Detective) Instagram post today - Not Only Family Members Posed for a Photo.  Immediately, I thought of the older girl in the photo.  Was she a Biggs child? Probably not. 

Short hair? Hair was cut to help cool off
a fever. Hair was shaved and treated with
kerosene when head lice was a problem.
Others cut their hair short as they might
have deemed it fashionable. 

Terrell Little "Bunch" Bryan and James D. Biggs were married in 1880. This photo was taken between 1891 and 1898 when W. B. Praytor had a studio in Stephenville. Looking at the children's sizes and knowing their birthdays, it makes sense that this photo was taken in 1891 or 1892. The first two Biggs children were girls born about 16 months apart in 1881 and 1882. The two younger girls in the photo are both about the same size and look close in age so these girls are probably sisters, Willie and Maggie. The boy to the far right would be Terrel Bryan Biggs (born 1884) and the baby, James Ely Biggs who was born in 1890. 

Who was the older girl? She looked much older and so much more mature than the other girls in the photo. Terrell Little Bryan had two unmarried sisters at this time. James D. Biggs had many siblings. She could be a family member or even a boarder or neighbor. Do you have this photo? What do you think? 

Update - The older girl was Belle Hanley Cameron (aka Belle Latta). Read more about her at From the Files of Marguerite Cook Clark: Belle Hanley Cameron (AKA Belle Latta).

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

© 2019

Sources

Family photograph from the collection of  Sue Pierce and Pat Waas. Accessed January 2006.

“Cabinet Card Photographers: William B Praytor.” http://cabinetcardphotographers.blogspot.com/2017/09/william-b-praytor.html. Accessed 25 Oct. 2019.

“Short hair. Who Were They?"https://whowerethey.photos/2015/02/08/short-hair-2/. Accessed 25 Oct. 2019.

#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/>.