Acie Nathaniel Buck Williams

Nathaniel married Sarah P. Smith on 22 Jun 1882. Sarah (daughter of Littleton Spivey Smith and Martha Frances Chapman) was born in Nov 1860 in Texas USA; died before 1910 in Texas USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 2596

Other Events:

• FSID: LT8F-HGY
• Reference Number: 2671
• Residence: 28 Oct 1850, Rusk, Rusk County, 1850
• _MILT: 1862; 28th Texas, Company I, Randal's (1st Texas Lancers)
• _MILT: Oct 1862, Near Little Rock Ark.; Civil War, 28th Texas , Teamster
• Residence: 1874, McLennan County, Texas USA
• Residence: 26 Jun 1880, McLennan County, Texas

Notes:

Birth: Sep. 4, 1833
Death: Jun. 10, 1887

Burial:
Cox Cemetery
31°20'10.87"N 97°13'38.76"W
McLennan County
Texas, USA

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The next entry was taken from Ancestry.com
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Littleton Smith Pension

When confronted with a brick wall during your ancestry search, sometimes it pays to reread documents that were collected years earlier. I recently pulled out the Confederate Pension Application of Widow M. F. Smith of McLennan County, Texas.

Background: Martha Francis Chapman was born 28 August 1837 in Houston County, Texas to Robert D. Chapman and his wife, Rebecca Hodges. Robert D. Chapman is one of my DRT (Daughters of the Republic of Texas) proven ancestors. Martha married Littleton Smith in 1857. The 1860 census lists Littleton as "Leticia" Smith along with Martha and their two oldest girls. In 1850 he had been listed alone in nearby Rusk County, age 18 and born in South Carolina.

Now there were some Littleton Smith's in South Carolina but they are pretty well documented and don't fit the criteria for my Littleton but I keep them in mind. Smith is a hard name to research so you tend to keep other Smiths in mind but you can't know for sure if they are related. No other Smiths appeared to have moved with Littleton between 1850 and 1860. Other researchers have left information with the LDS church listing him as Robert Lilton Smith. In 1870 he is enumerated as Lewis Smith but with the correct family members. In 1880 he is listed in McLennan County, Texas as L. Smith, a horse breeder, with the same family. So that pretty much sums up the brick wall on my Smith line.

I spent a little time earlier in the day on Ancestry.com today to see if anything had popped up on my Smith line. I noticed a couple of other Littleton Smiths I didn't remember seeing before but nothing really stuck out.

But back to the pension application - Martha is named as the widow of L. S. Smith throughout the document but in one place that I had apparently not been able to decipher earlier, he is named as Littleton Spivy Smith. It's hard to read the handwriting but this time it made total sense because Littleton Spivey Smith was one of those individuals I noticed on Ancestry today.

Well, it turned out that my Littleton Spivy Smith (born ca 1832 in SC) is not the same Littleton Spivey Smith (born 1819 in GA) that is in Ancestry. I could find nothing to help me but I am one step closer than I was yesterday and that made my day.

I hope this helps you with your ancestry search!

__________________________________________
Gene Brownlow
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I have added the Crying Sale document to Littleton's section. This shows he lived in Newberry, SC. It shows his mother Eve (Metts) Smith. I also include the Newberry map that shows where the Metts lived in relation to Smith Island where I believe Littleton lived in that area.

Next, I have added the Census Records showing in 1850 Littleton S Smith living with his mother Eve and John Wallace, her new husband in Rusk County. Shows born in South Carolina.

Next, I added the 1860 Census from Houston County show Littleton(his name misspelled as Litita Smith from SC and Marth from Texas living in Houston County. Shows born in South Carolina. His wife Martha was born in Texas.

Next 1870 Census showing Littleton (Name misspelled as Levis Smith) living with Martha and family in Falls County. Shows born in South Carolina. Again, his wife Martha, born in Texas.

In 1880 Census it shows L Smith living with his family in McLennan County. Shows born in South Carolina. Once again his wife Martha is shown as being born in Texas.

CONFEDERATE TEXAS TROOPS
28th Regiment, Texas Cavalry (Randal's) (1st Texas Lancers)

Company D Randal’s Regiment
Enlisted June 11, 1862 at Crockett, Texas by H. G. McDaniel
From Aug 13 to Sept 1 Pvt Smith was near Littlerock, Arkansas. Working as a Teamster
For pay from Sept 1st to Nov 17th and travel from Camp Nelson Ark to Crockett Texas.
On November 17, 1862 Pvt Smith was medically discharged.


Overview: 28th Cavalry Regiment was organized during the late spring of 1862 by Colonel H. Randal. It was formed with about 1,000 men and twelve companies, but one company was transferred to the 19th Texas Infantry Regiment in mid-1864. Some of its members were from Fairfield and Shelby Counties. The unit was soon dismounted and assigned to Polignac's, Randal's, and Maclay's Brigade, Trans-Mississippi Department, and was active in various conflicts in Louisiana and Arkansas. It saw some hard fighting at Mansfield and Pleasant Hill, then fought at Jenkins' Ferry. The 28th disbanded prior to the surrender in June, 1865. The field officers were Colonels Eli H. Baxter and Horace Randal, Lieutenant Colonel Henry G. Hall, and Major Patrick Henry.

Littleton moved just north of Masterville (Note: Mr. Cox was appointed the second Postmaster of Bruceville. The Town was then called Masterville, but after the completion of the Mississippi, Kansas & Texas railroad it was changed to Bruceville. Later the name was changed to Cow Bayou, afterward to Masterville, Finally, in 1888, to Bruceville,

Littleton married Martha Frances Chapman in 1857 in Houston County, Texas. Martha (daughter of Robert Doak Chapman and Rebecca Hodges) was born on 28 Aug 1838 in Houston County, Republic of Texas; died on 12 Feb 1922 in Near Eddy, McLennan County, Texas; was buried in Feb 1922 in Cox Cemetery, Bruceville, McLennan, Texas, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• FSID: LT8F-8N6
• Reference Number: 2672
• Census: 14 Nov 1850, Houston, Texas, USA
• Census: 26 Jun 1880, McLennan County, Texas
• Residence: 1910, Justice Precinct 6, McLennan, Texas, United States
• Census: 22 Apr 1910, McLennan, County, Texas
• Residence: 1920, Bruceville, McLennan, Texas, United States
• Census: 9 Jan 1920, Bruceville, McLennan County, Texas
• Census: 20 Jun 1990, McLennan County, Texas

Notes:

One of my confirmed relatives in Daughters of The Republic of Texas

Name: Martha Francis Smith
Death Date: 12 Feb 1922
Death Place: Near Eddy, Mclennan, Texas
Gender: Female
Race: white
Death Age: 84 years 5 months 14 days
Estimated Birth Date:
Birth Date: 28 Aug 1838
Birthplace: Trinity County
Marital Status: Widowed
Spouse's Name:
Father's Name: D. Chatman
Father's Birthplace: Do Not Know
Mother's Name: Rebeca Hodge
Mother's Birthplace: Do Not Know
Occupation: Housewife
Place of Residence:
Cemetery:
Burial Place: Bruceville, Texas
Burial Date: 12 Feb 1922
Additional Relatives: X
Film Number: 2074475
Digital Film Number: 4030076
Image Number: 2240
Reference Number: cn 5493

Daughters of the Republic of Texas
Application 21509 on page 352

Based on her Obituary Martha Francis (Chapman) Smith was buried next to Littleton Spivey Smith in Cox Cemetery.
Mrs. Martha Francis Smith is Gone to Rest
On Sunday morning about five o'clock the gental spirit of Mrs. Martha Frances Smith departed this life and went to dwell in "house not made with hands."

Some four weeks ago she went from the old homestead near Bruceville, where she lived with her son, J.E. Smith, to Eddy for a visit to her daughter, Mrs. John Baugh, and soon her strength began to fail and despite the heroic fight that was made by her attending loved ones and skilled physicians, it seemed that nothing could give strength to her care-worn body and cheerfully and resignedly she awaited the last summons.

Mrs. Smith was 84 years old and was born and reared in Houston County, Texas where at the age of 15 years was converted and joined the Baptist church. She was married to K.S. (sic) Smith about 88 years ago and together theyfaced the many difficult problems that confronted the settlers of the early days in Texas.

About 49 years ago they moved to this county and settled near Bruceville and 14 years later Mr. Smith died leaving her witha large family and to fight life's battle alone.

Courageous, putting her faith in God, faithful to her church, and a friend to humanity, she succeeded in rearing her children to be useful men and women,

The funeral service was held by Rev. G.W. Cook at the Baptist church at Bruceville and she was laid to rest by the side of her campion inthe Cox Cemetery.

She was the mother of eleven children and the seven living are: Mrs. Tom Adams, Childress; Mrs. R.L. Simmons, Katy, Okla; Mrs. John Baugh, Eddy; Mrs. W.A. Moore, Moody; Mrs. Low Ingram, Bruceville; Mrs. A.S. Taylor, Waco; J.E. Smith, Bruceville.

The pall bearers were: Bruce, Chas. and Joel Kincannon, all of Bruceville, and Messrs, Langley, Long and Dillworth, all of Eddy.

Card of Thanks.
We Wish to express to the good people of Eddy and that community our sincere thanks and appreciations for the knidness shown us during the illness and death of our dear mother, Mrs. Martha Frances Smith, and for the beauitful flowers we also thank you.

Our hearts are full of gratitude to the neighbors and friends of Mrs. W.A. Moore who were so thoughtful and kind.

May God's richest blessing rest upon one and all.

Mrs. W.A. Moore,
Brothers and Sisters.

Burial:
Cox Cemetery
31°20'10.87"N 97°13'38.76"W
McLennan County
Texas, USA

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 5242
• Census: 1830, South Carolina
• Residence: 1830, Lexinton South Carolina

Nathaniel married Eve Metts. Eve (daughter of Adam Metts and Elizabeth Barre) was born on 31 Oct 1808 in Newberry, South Carolina, United States; died after 1860 in Houston County Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• FSID: 9CNZ-4JB
• Reference Number: 5245
• Census: 1840, Newberry, South Carolina
• Census: 1850, Rusk County, Texas

Notes:

Eve Metz (Metts) born Oct 31, 1808 in Newberry Co., SC and died sometime after 1860 in Houston Co., TX. After Nathaniel died she remarried a John Wallace (btwn 1840-1850) and they (and her children), together with her twin brother Adam and Nathaniel's brothers Spivey (Spiva) and Mark came west with everyone stopping in Lafayette Co., MS then they moved on into Texas. She is in the 1850 and 1860 censuses in TX. I have quite a bit of information on John Edward's sisters, except for Rebecca and Sarah, including marriages, deaths and births of their children.

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 5243
• _MILT: Aug 1861, Civil War; 12th Regiment, Texas Calvary, Company F, (Parson's Mounted Volunteers)

Notes:

Robert D. Chapman is one of my DRT (Daughters of the Republic of Texas) proven ancestors.

Note: According to First Settlers of Houston Co., TX, land grants were apportioned by the Republic of Texas according to the following criteria: (1) Anyone arriving in Texas prior to March 2, 1836 was designated “First Class” status and entitled to a league and a labor of land.

(2) Those arriving between March 2, 1836 and Oct. 1, 1837, were designated “Second Class” and entitled to 1280 and 640 acres.

(3) Those arriving Texas after Oct. 1, 1837 up to Jan. 1, 1840 were given “Third Class” status and entitled to grants of 640 and 320 acres.

p. 12 of FS of HC, TX - ROBERT D. CHAPMAN 1280 Pre 4/1/1837

(Note: this means he would have arrived in Texas after March 2, 1836 and before Apr. 1, 1837. Since Robert and Rebecca were married in Hardeman Co., TN Oct. 6, 1836, the window of time on their arrival in Texas is further narrowed to between Oct. 1836 and the end of March, 1837.)

Martha was the oldest child of Robert Doak Chapman and Rebecca Hodges who came to Texas from Hardeman Co., Tennessee after their marriage on October 6, 1836. They settled just outside of Crockett in a town called Randolph which no longer exists.

Robert is last seen on the census of 1850 and it is thought that he died during the Civil War as Rebecca collected "Indigent Family" funds after the war was over but have not found any pension or enlistment information. I have gone back a number of generations on the Chapman and Hodges sides too.

CONFEDERATE TEXAS TROOPS

Regiment Name: 12th Regiment, Texas Cavalry (Parson's Mounted Volunteers)

Side: Confederate
Company: F
Soldier's Rank In: Private
Soldier's Rank Out: Private
Alternate name:
Film Number: M227 roll 6
Overview: 12th Cavalry Regiment was organized with about 940 men in August, 1861, by Colonel W.H. Parsons. Most of the men were from Hempstead, Fairfield, Georgetown, and Waxahachie, and Ellis and Hill counties. This unit served in Hawes' and Steele's Brigade, Trans-Mississippi Department and skirmished the Federals in Arkansas and Louisiana. During 1865 it was in Northern Texas guarding approaches from the Indian Territory. The regiment was included in the surrender on June 2. Its commanders were Colonel William H. Parsans, Lieutenant Colonels Andrew B. Burleson and John W. Mullen, and Majors Locklin J. Farrar and E. W. Rogers.

Texas 12th Cavalry Regiment
Also Known as: 4t Texas Mounted Dragoons
Organization: Organized for 12 months at Rocket Springs, near Waxahachie on Sept 11, 1861. Mustered into Confederate service at Camp Hebert, near Hempstead on Oct 28, 1861. Reorganized for war on May 24, 1862. Surrendered by General E.K. Smith, commanding Trans-Mississippi Department, on May 26, 1865.
First Commander: William H. Parson Colonel
Field Officers: Andrew B. Burleson Lieutenant Colonel
Lochlin Johnson Farrar Major
John W. Mullen Lieutenant Colonel
E.W. Rogers Major

Assignments: Department of Texas (Sept 1861 - Feb 1862)
Eastern District of Texas, Department of Texas (Feb - Mar 1862)
Rust's-Parsons' Cavalry Brigade, Trans-Mississippi District, Department #2 (Mar -May 1862)
Trans-Mississippi Department (May-June 1862)
W. H. Parson' Cavalry Brigade, Unattached, Trans-Mississippi Department (July - Aug 1862)
W. H. Parson' Cavalry Brigade, Unattached, District of Arkansas, Trans-Mississippi Department (Aug - Sept 1862)
W. H. Parson' Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Corps, Army of the West, Trans-Mississippi Department (Sept - Oct 1862)
Hawes' Brigade, Churchill's Division, 2nd Corps, Army of the West, Trans-Mississippi Department (Dec 1862 - Jan 1863)
Unattached, Frost's Division, District of Arkansas, Tran-Mississippi Department (April - Jun 1863)
Unassigned, District of West Louisiana, Trans-Mississippi Department (Jun July 1863)
Carter's Brigade, Walker's Division, Dristict of Arkansas, Trans-Mississippi (Jul-Sept 1863)
Carter's-Parsons' Cavalry Brigade, District of Arkansas, Trans-Mississippi (Sept 1863 - Mar 1864)
Carter's-Parsons' Cavalry Brigade, Steele's Cavalry Division, District of West Louisiana, Trans-Mississippi Department (Mar-Sept1864)
1st (Steele's) Texas Cavalry Brigade, 1st (Wharton's) Cavalry Corps, Tarn-Mississippi Department (Feb - May 1865)
Battles: Near Searcy (3 companies) (May 19, 1862)
Round Hill, on Cache River (Jul 7, 1862)
Hughes' Ferry, L'Angulle River (Aug 3, 1862)
Little Rock Campagign (Aug -Sept 1863)
Red River Campaign (Mar - May 1864)

Robert married Rebecca Hodges on 6 Oct 1836 in Hardeman County, Tennessee. Rebecca (daughter of Edmund Hodges and Sarah McClain) was born in 1816 in Franklin County, Tennessee; died in 1870 in Houston, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 5244

Notes:

While conducting an ancestry search at my local library, I ran across a publication that listed transcriptions of some articles of interest found among the newspapers published in Crockett, Texas between 1853 and 1896.

The complete title is Houston County Collection Volume I, Crockett Newspapers, 1853 - 1896, published by Bebe Beasley Ulrich.

According to Ms. Ulrich, in Volume 1, Number 2, published February 7, 1890 under the section "Local News - Nevel's Prairie" appears this announcement:

Mrs. Rebecca Chapman, of McClellan [sic] County is visiting relatives on the prairie. She lived near Old Randolph for 35 years, moving away from there in 1865. Her old friends will be glad to know that she is still sprightly and bids fair to live a good while yet...

While there are not many words printed, it speaks volumes to this researcher. From three sentences I either learned or confirmed that Rebecca Chapman, my fourth great grandmother:

•came to Houston County, Texas about 1830
•moved to McLennan County, Texas between 1865 and 1890
•was still alive and in good health in 1890.
I already knew that she and her husband, Robert Chapman arrived in Texas shortly after they married in 1836 and settled in Houston County. So the writer was a little off on that one. I have never been able to determine much beyond the 1860 census when Rebecca appeared as a widow with several children in Houston County. I have never found their graves and I have never found Rebecca on a subsequent census report. After reading this article, I did locate a Rebecca Chapman in McLennan County but some details leave doubts as to the whether or not it is her. One daughter, Martha Frances Chapman Smith, did move to that area by 1880 so I am still hopeful that it is her.

Even the earliest newspapers carried snippets of community news items that may prove essential to your ancestry search.

I do know that Rebecca was living in McLennan Co. in 1890 as there was a newspaper notation about her visiting in Houston Co. in February of that year. After that I have no record of her. I believe she was living with either Martha or her son Isaac who was also a resident of McLennan Co. I do know that Rebecca's mother Sarah Hodges was living in McLennan Co. next door to Mary Alice in the 1880 census. Robert is last seen on the census of 1850 and it is thought that he died during the Civil War as Rebecca collected "Indigent Family" funds after the war was over but have not found any pension or enlistment information. I have gone back a number of generations on the Chapman and Hodges sides too.

From Crockett Newpapers, the Gazette, Vol 1, No. 2, February 7, 1890:

"Nevel's Prairie

Mrs. Rebecca Chapman of McClellan (sic) County is visiting relatives on the Prairie. She lived near Old Randolph for 35 years, moving away from there in 1865. Her old friends will be glad to know that she is still sprightly and bids fair to live a good while yet...We should all love these old pioneers who settled this county in dangerous times when the red man periled the wood with his tomahawk. We should do them honor, and try to make their declining days as happy as possible. We are now reaping the fruits of their labor..."

Daughters of the Republic of Texas
Application 21510 page 356