Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutthe Irish of Stagger's Point"THE IRISH OF STAGGERS POINT" Robertson County, Texas September 16,1973 e-r CAD SS I A43 Nog.sot. "THE IRISH OF STAGGERS POINT" ROBERTSON COUNTY TEXAS, by Mary Katherine Thompson Galloway Mary Kathryn Spiller Briggs Marjorie De Maret Hicks DESCENDANTS OF STAGGERS POINT FOR DESCENDANTS OF ORIGINAL FAMILIES sVx2s ' AINno O NOSIHSSO I «SNIOd S2iaDJV,LS TO HSIHI am" SZN UNSOSSQ 2IOd 'zQN30Saa AS NSSSII A21OWaW NI SHSSNOId LNIOd suapo ,LS 3HS dO Many descendants of these early Texas pioneers have contributed in countless ways to assist me in re- lating the accounts of life in Texas during the 1830's. My thanks to Jimmie Henry Rice for the many recollec- tions of her early pioneer forefathers, and to Kather- ine Thompson Galloway for the numerous factual documents and untold hours of unselfish research. I shall always remember the encouragement of my relatives and friends, but most of all to my mother, Lena Dixon Spiller, who taught me to appreciate my family heritage. I am particularly grateful to the Robertson County Historical Survey Committee for allowing me the priv- ilege of serving as the link in the chain of life that has joined the children of yesterday and the heirs of tomorrow. If only for these few brief moments, the Staggers Point story and the story of her founding fam- ilies have lived once again. We all take great pride in sharing in the preserva- tion of this part of our Texas. This "KEEPSAKE" book has been written for you, the descendants of those pioneer families who came to Staggers Point. That you might know more about your descendants, and as the Irish of long ago we might be closer related to each other. Many have contributed information for this book but when we think of these Irish families we first think of Mrs. Jimmie Henry Rice, who for so many years has gathered material from "Grandpa Jim" and "Grandma Effie" from her knowledge and stories we have re- ceived most of our materials. Mrs. Rice was inter- ested in all of her relatives and has left a last- ing memory to all who knew her. Also my thanks to my aunt, Miss Barbara Fullerton for her writings and information on the Fullerton family. The cover of the book was sketched by Marianne Shep- pard Blanton, daughter of John Ben Sheppard, which represents the eight covered wagons, with their lead- er crossing the Brazos River, and then to their comm- unity Staggers Point. 2. otzfeer(e)--/tyn A L BOUT A MILE TO THE NORTH WAS THE OLD IRISH SETTLEMENT OF STAGGERS POINT, CNA AND THEN IN ALABAMA, AND IN 1829 SEND WEST AN EMISSARY, CHURCH, STORES, COTTON GIN, RACE TRACK, AND TAVERNS, AND (SEE OTHER SIDE) 3, EARLIEST LARGE COMMUNITY IN ROBERTSON'S COLONY. SETTLED BY IRISHMEN WHO CAME TO AMERICA IN 1821 LIVED IN SOUTH CARO=' ROBERT HENRY, TO FIND A PERMANENT LOCATION, IN 1833,THEIR OX=' WAGON TRAIN ARRIVED, AND LOG CABINS WERE BUILT, BY 1836, KINS= MEN HAD JOINED EARLY ARRIVALS TO STRENGTHEN SETTLEMENT. COM® MUNITY NAME, MEANING "STRIVERS °POINT " IN DIALECT, WAS PRO= BABLY GIVEN FOR RUGGED ZEAL OF SETTLERS IN FACE OF HARDSHIPS. JAMES DUNN BUILT A FORT,TO GIVE NEIGHBORHOOD A REFUGE DURING INDIAN RAIDS, IN WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE, 1835 =1836, STAGGERS POINT MEN FOUGHT IN MAJOR ACTIONS, INCLUDING THE APRIL 21, 1836, BATTLE OF SAN JACINTO, WHICH FREED TEXASFROM MEXICO, IN 1830s and 40s, THE IRISH WERE COMPELLED TO KEEP UP THEIR DEFENSES AGAINST THE INDIANS, WOMEN AS WELL AS MEN EARNED RESPECT FOR SKILL WITH "LONG GUNS", IN TIME THEIR VILLAGE HAD A WAS INVADED BY GAMBLERS AND RUFFIANS DRAWN TO THE RACE. UNTIL THE SETTLERS SUBDUED THE LAWLESS, DUELS AND GUNPLAY WERE COM- MON. THIS REMAINED A PROGRESSIVE COMMUNITY UNTIL 1868, WHEN HOUSTON & TEXAS CENTRAL RAILWAY BY PASSED IT, AND BUSINESS WANED. DESCENDANTS STILL HONOR THE SETTLERS, (1973) ORIGINAL SETTLERS. WILLIAM HENRY MARY FULLERTON HENRY DIXON JAMES M. DIXON ANN MCMILLAN HENRY AND SARAH FULLERTON ROBERT AND ELIZABETH HENRY GEORGE H. FULLERTON JOHN R. AND SARAH PEYTON JIMMIE HENRY RICE WILLIAM FULLERTON HUGH AND ELIZABETH HENRY JAMES A. HENRY BRADFORD AND MARY HENRY SEALE COLUMBUS AND ELIZABETH HENRY SEALE JATNE S AND I S ABELLA DUNN 4. STAGGERS POINT Between 1829 and 1834, a number of Irish immigrants settled in the wooded section west of the present site of Benchley The woods were plentiful in bear, deer, wild turkey and other wildlife, The settlement became known as STAGGERS POINT, Immediately after settlement, the men of the colony planted corn, peas, and potatoes. They built rail fences for their cattle and scouted for Indians,, The women were trained to take care of themselves and most of them were experts with flintlock rifles, In The peo fug Amo Hen fle Iri tha 1836, the colony was abandoned during the Run - away - scrape- families were attacked by Indians and several of their ple were killed, Most of the women and children took re- e at Dunn ° s fort, ng the strong women at STAGGERS POINT, was Mary Fullerton r°y, who went to Dunn °s fort for protection rather than to Louisiana, The area in which Mrs, Henry and other sh immigrants settled was a part of William Henry's land t was divided among his children, Henrys" of STAGGERS POINT were slave owners, The brothers lam, James and Hugh, sons of Patriarch Robert, were hard ing farmers and directed their slaves in the building of s and farms. Old rail fences built by them still stand. 5 The land fell to Sarah Henry Peyton, who was the daughter of Mary and William Henry, later was sold to George Dixon, The first two merchants were Harve Mitchell and a man named Wallace .Chars old dry goods, groceries, whiskey and wines., There was a race track and a gun club at the Point in the 1840 Fine horses ran on the track and gambling and drinking attracted pioneers of the rougher element, Thefirst cotton gin at STAGGERS POINT was built by Robert Henry in 1850,, Henry was born in Londonderry, Ireland in 1801. He was married to Elizabeth Downing in 1820, before leaving for America. With his wife and three brothers, he came to Texas in 1829, and received his headri.rht of land in 1834„ Robert Henry served under Captain James Gillespie at (Ale Battle of San Jacinto, In 1838 he was elected Probate Judgeof Robertson County and remained active in politics un- til 1863, Henry died in 1864, and his wife lived until 1881,, They are buried in the family cemetery four miles east of Benchley, The Will work home The first church at STAGGERS POINT, was a log structure near the Haygood place, It was called the "Old Irish Church" be- cause its minister and most of its members were from Ireland, The Presbyterian Church attracted families from Dunn's Fort and Wheelock,residents were regular in attendance, The pastor of the church was Reverend Fullenwider, who preach- ed the Gospel only on Sundays and used the other six days of the week to fight Indians, work in the fields, nurse the sick marry the living and bury the dead, There is a story that a ruffian once promised to attend church if the minister could "whip him" and parson Fullenwider "gave him the licking of his life and then saved his soul." OLD STAGGERS POINT lay in the woodlands for almost forty years before the outside world reached it "by improved road or rail," It was famous for its church and its country school. The Point was the first complete settlement in Robertson County, Probably the first white child born at STAGGERS POINT was William (Bud) Henry, who according to Mrs, Jimmie Rice, "was born when the stars fell ", in October 1835, The names of some of the early settlers in the "Old Irish" area were Robert Henry, Henry Fullerton Sr,, and wife Sarah William Fullerton and wife Margaret Henry Fullerton, Hugh Henry and wife Elizabeth McMillan Henry, Ann McMillan, George McMillan, the Wright Coley family, the families of Wilson Reed, Squire Hanover_, the Peytons, the Hearns, Nashs and Seales. Happy events of early days in Robertson County were few. Among sad experiences of men from the southwest corner of the euunty was the battle known to people at STAGGERS POINT, as the battle of Horn Hill,referred to elsewhere as Bryants' defeat, The battle occurred in 1839, On January 10, seventy Indians attacked John Morgans home near Bucksnort, The Indians were repulsed with seven of their number slain, On New Years day the savages plundered George Morgan's home aid killed members of the family, When word of the Morgan Massacre reached the southwestern part of the county the people decided they must pursue the Indiansand defeat them or retreat to safety in Austin's col - ony, They chose to fight, and 48 men under Benjamin Bryant rode to meet the savages, 6 , The little army of Robertson County men found the Indians on January 16, led by Chief Jose Maria, and the Texans charged them, The withering fire of the Indians drove them bahkward and the men were ordered to form a line on the wen prairie, The order was misunderstood and taken as one of fell retreat, ;s the Texans withdrew from the field, the Indians charged from the woods, firing their guns and screaming battle cry, Thn Texans became disorgan- ized and scattered through the area, 3til1, the savages advanced, and Bryant °s men were reduced to panic and forc- ed-to run for their lives, Three Texans died in the first charge (Plummer, Ward and Armstrong Barton) and J, Powers was killed shortly there- after, Wilson Reed fell from his horse and was instantly clubbed to death, Hugh Henry and William Fullerton stood back -to -back, fighting with guns and knives, until they were shot and killed, Washington McGrew, Alfred Eaton and A, J. Webb died amid twice their number, and John Henry, Captain Bryant, Enoch Jones, Charles Solls, Lewis Mowers and William Powers were wounded, When darkness came the remaining Texans escaped to safety, When the fierce battle was over, Francis Slauter, the Chief Justice of Robertson County sent men from Old Frank- lin, to gather the dead and they were buried in the little cemetery at Old Franklin on a cold winter day. The ten men who died were from STAGGERS POINT. Old Franklin and Wheelock, When the railroad reached Robertson County in 1868, resid- ents of the Point moved to the station, When the settle- ment grew into a village the People gave it the name of Benchley to honor their favorite freight conducter (Mrs. Sam Rice, 1967) 7, MARKER DEDICATION THE STAGGERS POINT STORY We are gathered here today, to honor the early Irish of Rob- ertson County, and I cannot help but feelwe are between foot- prints,. Many years have passed away since our forebears of long ago walked on this very ground, leaving their footprints in the sands of time, We are here today, where our forefathers once stood, to honor them, the children of yesterday and the heirs of tomorrow, The story of Staggers Point is the story of her people, A story that does not deserve to be forgotten, butt, be remembered, Our story, the Staggers Point story, concerns eight families in Ireland during the early 1800's9 These families had heard stories of the New World, Their situation in Ireland was not a happy one as they were of the Protestant Irish faith and there was constant conflict with the Irish Cath- olics who were in power at this time, We are reminded of the similar, problems in Ireland today on our daily newscasts. Surrounded by the clouds of uncertainty the future did not project a picture of hope, happiness or prosperity, The de- cision to leave their native land and embark on a long jour- ney to an unknown shore must have taken tremendous courage on the part of the family leaders, They sold all of their possessions that could not be taken with them, The land was sold, which for the most part had been inherited from their parents, thus began the adventure that was to lengthen into many years before their dream of a new life, in a new land, would be realized, But perhaps this new and uncertain future promised a glimpse of peace and freedom, Were theyfully aware of the hardships the future would bring? They must have known there would be dark periods that would test their courage and resolve, for God moved intheir lives and they focused their lives upon God, There are as many individual stories concerning these Trish families as the many varied and beautiful colors in their handmade quilts that they brought with them, Their stories will reveal the finished fabric of labor, hope and courage on the Texas frontier„ Robert Henry married Elizabeth Downing in 1820, in Ireland, and very soon after the wedding set sail for America, as had been their plan before their wedding, for they were both pioneers and had heard stories of the new world, After three months on a ship and facing a fierce storm they finally reach- ed South Carolina,, Coming to Texas right away was out of the question for covered wagons drawn by ox teams traveled slowly over rough roads and travelers were in constant danger of attacks from marauding savages, So they stayed with a com- munity of immigrants in South Carolina for a year. While time was spent in South Carolina, they learned much about the new country but their thoughts were always on Texas, "the promised land, " During their stay in South Carolina Robert Henry was busily making a crop of cotton and corn, After a year they were on to Alabama where they would stay for a few years, Finally they sold their belongings in Alabama and along with several other families headed for Tex- as, They were determined to come to "the prairie" near the Brazos in what is now Brazos County, They finally reached Texas in 1829 nine years afterleaving Ireland, They were the first of the colony to reach Texas, The story of the other families that left Ireland with Robert Henry follow much the same road to Texas. The story of Henry Fullerton Sr., and his wife Sarah Caufield Fullerton cannot be told as individuals; because the stories and lives of all the original immigrants were woven together, Henry Fullerton Sr,, and his wife Sarah lived on their farm in Ireland with their daughter Mary and their sons, Henry Jr, and Jahn, Ireland did not have enough land for couples to buy and so the young people had to wait until they inherited their parents land, This was the case in the life of Henry and Sarah. William, the younger brother of Henry, decided he would not wait for his inheritance and would try the new country, America, Leaving Ireland in 1818, he came to South Carolina, and then into Tennessee, later to Robertson colony in Texas, It was through Williams letters to his brother Henry and other relatives in Ireland that Henry and Sarah along with the others decided to come to America., In 1821, seven families left Belfast by sail boat and landed in South Carolina, They remained in Charleston until 1825, A cousin George Hays, had moved on from Charleston to Boligee, Alabama. He wrote of the rich bottom land there and of the opportunities in Alabama, Some of the families came and bought land adjoin- ing each other land which was hilly and lush with greenery reminding them of Ireland, The families always lived on ad- joining plots of land, always staying together, Most of thefamilies were Presbyterian, After coming from South Carolina to Boligee, Alabama, these families erected a Presbyterian Church in Boligee about the year 1831, Thomas Caufield, uncle of Sarah was the first of the group to die 9- and be buried in the churchyard, This old church is still in use today, These families were referred to as Blue Stocking Presbyterians, William Fullerton, who had gone on to Texas, was anxious for the impending arrival of his relatives to his chosen Texas. While on a visit to Boligee, Alabama, William, as you will remember was the first to arrive in America, married the widow Margaret Henry Wilson. Margaret had three small child- ren, having been widowed in Charleston, when her husband W. H. Wilson had died. The families began to sell their Alabama land, and dispose of all personal propertythat they could not take with them, In December 1833, Henry and Sarah Fullerton, William and Mary Fullerton Henry, Ann McMillan, Hugh Henry and his wife Elizabeth McMillan Henry, Ed and Mary McMillan, Henry Caufield the Watsons and the Dunn fam- ilies all moved to Texas. These families came by private conveyance, generally using carryalls and ox wagons, They brought their slaves with ahem. Theymade it their rule to go into camp at noon on Sat- urday to prepare for a Sunday of rest, They reached their journeys end sooner than those who refused the day of rest. What was the overland trip to Texas like for these families? Their family possessions were loaded on a covered wagon drawn by two well -broke oxen, Cooking could be done with a tea- kettle, skillet and lid as easily over an outdoor camp fire as over the fireplace intheir cabin home. Sometime .tth good weather the wagons could make twenty or thirty miles a day, but this was unusual due to poor roads, The greatest problem was crossing deep rivers, always on "pontoon ferries." What did these early pioneers find when they reached the fer- tile land, along the Brazos river? The soil was fertile, mes- quite grass and wild rye grass grew two and three feet high, Truly a cattleman's paradise, There were great numbers of deer and cattle, There were droves of wild hogs and flocks of wild turkeys which had to be shot low because they were so fat that when they fell to the ground from any height their breasts would burst open There was an abundance of wild plums and wild berries. Truly a bountiful land, It is known that anyone having a drop of Irish blood has a love for the land, For the land is the only thing that really lasts, Here on the Texas frontier, on the outskirts of civilization, these Irish immigrants realized the fulfill- 10, ment of their dreams and expectations. The Mexican government at this time gave to each family of the colonists under Stephen F, Austin and Sterling C, Robertson contracts, a headright league containing about 4428 acres of land and also a labor of land of about 177 acres, Henry Full- erton Sr,, his son Henry Fullerton Jr., and William Fullerton his brother, took their leagues of land about seven miles north- west of the present town of Franklin, Texas, and their labors of land of 177 acres each at Staggers Point, William Henry and Mary Fullerton Henry lived in what is now Robertson County, William and Margaret Fullerton adjoined the others; but their land lay in what was to become Brazos County, Henry Fullerton Sr., and Sarah lived on their 177 acres in Robertson County, These three tracts of land adjoined; also adjoining them were the Hugh Henry family, brother of Robert, the Robert Henry family and the Wright Coley family. James Dunn Sr. and wife Isabella Caufield Dunn, and some of the Caufields lived on Wheelock Prairie. All lived within several miles of each other. When these settlers first reached Texas, the Indians in the Country generally were not hostile, Later, many of the Mexican officials became suspizious and antagonistic and incited the Indians to hostilities against the colonists, Several people in the area were shot and scalped and left for dead, These depredations by the Indians caused the people of the settle- ment in this area to build a fort at the James Dunn home known as Dunn Fort. Most of these families remained in the Fort during the Runaway - scrape of 1836, Hugh Henry and William Fullerton were killed in January of 1839 by Indians near Viesca where the present town of Marlin is located, Many men from Staggers Point and surrounding areas became "Minute men" or Rangers as they were later called to protect settlers from the Indians who had been incited by the Mexicans to prevent the arrival of any more colonists to the area, For by this time the Mexican government had realized these Scotch -Irish immigrants had taken definite control of their northern province. It was to be realized that people of Scotch - Irish ancestry would possess positive traits of loy- alty to their chosen cause. The Henry and Houston families were friends in Ireland, al- though Sam Houston and Robert Henry had not met. Robert Henry was a soldier in the Texas Army before General Sam Hous- ton became its commander -in- chief. He was with General Houston when the army arrived at San Jacinto, The day before the battle General Houston told Robert confidentally to start, off with his 11, horse as if he were taking it to water, but to ride to Dunn's Fort- -just above Robert Henry's home, "I am going to fight Santa Anna tomorrow" he said, "You tell the folks up there I am going to whip him, or I won't let him whip me, If they hear the cannon they will know the battle is on" Soon after this occurred, the battle of San Jacinto was over, and Texas was free. Many of the men from Staggers Point served in the Texas Army and fought at the Battle of San Jacinto, Dunn's Fort had been built for protection from the Indians or Mexican or whatever came,, Behind each of these courageous men stood strong and determined pioneer women, They were hardy people with the Irish instinct of surviving hardships, their women as well as the men were marksmen with "long guns" and Indians learned to fear the women as well as the men, Elizabeth Downing Henry, Robert's wife was - -a woman of tremendous abil- ity and loved adventure, Sarah Caufeild Fullerton had the courage and forsight to bring her children to the Texas front- ier, Isabella Caufield Dunn had the faith to build the first Presbyterian Church in this area on Red Top Prairie close to the fort built by James Dunn, The widow Ann McMillan continued with the colony on the course she and her husband had set be- fore his death and finally Mary Fullerton, the strong and dauntless daughter of Henry and Sarah Fullerton who left Ire- land as a small girl of five years old, During the years in South Carolina and Boligee, Alabama she was growing into a young woman, She married William Henry, younger brother of Robert Henry in Boligee, Alabama,and then on to Texas, Mary Fullerton Henry has the distinction of being the mother of the first white child born in Robertson county, His name was Will- iam Henry Jr,,always called Bud, Henry and Mary and their family shared all the thrills of living in the Republic of Texas through the fear of the Indians only to have William die of a poisoned Indian arrow in 1849, Later Mary Fullerton Henry met and married James M, Dixon who had come to Texas from Alabama and Ireland, Her home is not far from this point, She too, hav- ing Walked on this very land, leaving her foot prints in the sands of time, And so the events of the lives of these early pioneers is re- corded on the pages of Texas History, Not all of the colonists stories could be remembered today as there would not be enough time to name them all,, Their desire was to have freedom of worship and the land to work and rear their families, a place to call "home". 12, 1 4 Staggers Point was famous for its church and country school, The point was the first complete settlement in Robertson County, When the railroad reached the area in 1868, the peo- ple of the Point moved to the station, renaming the settlement after their favorite conductor named Benchley® Later, a new school and Church were erected and Stagger's Point was soon forgotten, Many of her young men returned to serve the South in the army of the confederate States, Far too many young men never returned to their chosen Texas homeland. As has been the case of all wars or conflicts to protect their chosen home, America, the heirs and descendants of these sturdy pioneers have always answered the call to arms, Today, as we pause to cast a brief backward glance down the path of time we honor the faith that guided our forefathers. For they are the dead who short days ago lived, the accounts of their lives retold today. In our present modern world pressure is brought against the family, but these Scotch,. Irish who left Ireland to wind their covered wagons ever on- ward to the Texas frontier stayed together as a family with their friends, Yesterday is not ours to recover, but to- morrow will be ours to win or lose, For we are here, in Texas a land that was provid'd for us through the vision and faith of those who have gone before us, It is to these noble men and women of Staggers Point, the forebearers of most of us gathered here today, that we dedicate this moment, I am honored and privileged as you are, to share in this historic occasion that pays tribute to those so courageous, so faithful and so visionary, the pioneers of Staggers Point, Today, we may have walked between footprints, but we have surely touched and held the handclasp with our an- cestors we have never met, By: Mary Kathryn Spiller Briggs. ROBERT HENRY About four o'clock on the afternoon of April 2, 1836, 873 wretchedly clothed men, half starved, ill equipped, charged up the plain of San Jacinto to conquer an army twice its size an army which was handsomely clad, very well fed indeed, and meticulously trained by one of the great military men of the time. Why and how did this army win? How and why did they route completely an army which out numbered them in every way? Their commander was General Sam Houston, who knew what he was doing and why he was doing it. He was not only wise and astute but he believed in his men and he gave them the courage and the reason why they were doing what they did, These 783 men knew t°c14 what they were doing and why. They knew that they were righting for their homes for their ramilies and for liberties and justices for which they had been deprieved bitterly for years. Old Sam Houston knew so well what the outcome of this battle would be that on the day before San Jacinto he said "Tmorrow I will conquer, slaughter, and put into absolute retreat the entire Mexican Army" and he was about 100% right. These men who fought numbered among them one named Robert Henry. Robert Henry was born in Ireland in 1801. He decided in 1820 to come to the new world to seek a land which would give him more opportunity, and he decided at the same time and that same year to marry a woman who turned out to be as dauntless, serious and adventurous as he was, so they set sail in 1820. They settled in South Carolina and stayed for a while. But the spirit of moving on lay upon them as did many people in that time and they moved to Alabama, There they stayed long enough to accumulate $900 00 worth of property which they sold before they moved to Texas, In Texas, Robert Henry was granted land in Roberton County, In 1836, he knew the people of Texas were being called to fight for the freedom of Texas ands he took one of three horses which he owned and joined Sam Houston's army. He was a member of that army and gave service to the Republic of Texas from March until June 1836, when he was discharged with honor "hay- ing as the records say, faithfully and courageously discharged ° in giving service to his country® He was awarded land over 600 acres of it in Hill county and over 300 acres in Brazos County. Behind, I should say in front of, this era of women's lib every patriot every successful pioneer there is a woman, and 14. in the case of Robert Henry, Elizabeth Henry was that woman, Her courage was dauntless, at one time during theabsence of her husband whilehs wasin service to the Repubic of Texas she was sitting in an open hallway of her home spinning She suddenly saw that she was surrounded by Indians, they crept softly up on the porch, they were enchanted at the music of her spinning wheel and began dancing, Tiring of this they moved toward the barn. Elizabeth and her children with her, At the barn Elizabeth with her great courage, stood in front of the crib with the keys in her hand, she pointed to the crib filled with corn and to her children, indicating to the Indians that this was the food for her children, and all that they had, There was whispers among them and then the chief reached over and patted her on the shoulder and said "Great, Brave, Squaw," The Ind- ians bowed and departed. I think it is fitting on this day as we honor Robert Henry to honor his wife too, who did so much during her long life to help the poor, the sick, the old and the underprivileged. It is indeed f,r the Brazos County Historical survey committee a solemn honor and privilege today to mark with an official State marker the grave of this great patriot who had with other gallant men such a part in the making of this ' ,!ountrya A part in a battle which is one of decisive and mostt.11ing battles of all history, A battle which made possible the extension of the boundaries of this country to the Rio Grande, on the southeast to the Pacific Ocean on the west, A battle which made possible a land of our very own, a place we can call our home. And important than that his security for us and those other men who made it a country which we can deserve, if we try and keep and enjoy those great liberties, civil, and religuus. By: Hazel Richardson at the dedication of Robert Henry marker, 1971,(Taped) 15. JOHN HENRY FULLERTON SR., AND SARAH CAUFIELD FULLERTON This is the story of Henry Fullerton Sr,, and his wife Sarah Caufield Fullerton. But their story cannot be told as indiv- iduals; so many of the original Irish immigrants are connect- ed with their lives, Henry was born in Belfast Ireland in 1785, his wife Sarah was born in Belfast in 1790, They were of average means, When they were married in 1810, they owned their home and about 27 acres of land, In the early 1800 Henry used the 27 acres to raise potatoes for which there was a market, and other veg- etables for his families use He rented land from the British Government to raise cattle and sheep for money to buy other supplies, Henry was twenty five years of age at the time of his marriage to Sarah, Sarah was twenty. In following the history of the Irish families we find that many of the men and women remained single and lived with their parents until they were past the age of thirty years, This is partly true because Ireland did not have enough land for the couples to buy, and the young people must wait until they inherited their parents land. This was the case in the life of Henry and Sarah, William Fullerton a brother two years younger than Henry, de- cided he would not wait for his inheritance and would try the new country, America. Leaving Ireland in 1818, he came on to South Carolina, and then into Tennessee where he acquired land, Having accumulated land and then considered a bachelor of means he decided to gain still more land in Robertsones colony, and came to Texas, It was through Wi11jambs letters to his brother Henry and other relatives in Ireland, that Henry and Sarah decided to come to America, In 1821 seven families left Belfast by sail boat, It took them six weeks to make the trip to Charleston, South Caro- lina, They remained in Charleston until 1825. A cousin,George Hays, moved on from Charleston to Boligee Alabama, He wrote of the rich bottom land there and of the opportunities in Alabama where they could buy more slaves and work more land. Some of the families came and bought land adjoining each other, land which was hilly and lush with greenery, reminding them of Ireland. They built their homes, bought more slaves and livestock, 16, 17, All families were Presbyterians, and after coming from South Carolina to Boligee, Alabama, these families erected a Presby- terian Church in Boligee about the year 1831. Thomas Caufield, uncle of Sarah was the first of the group to die and be bur- ied in the Church yard., Today this old church is still used as a Presbyterian Church, and in this church yard you will find the graves of Caufields, Watsons, Blakelys, and their des- cendants. Some of the descendants remained in Boligee, and, their descendants are buried in this churchyard. As describ- ed years ago, it is situated on a beautiful high hill and near where the families lived, Brother William meanwhile was still interested in his relat- i ves in Alabama, and in the spring of 1833, made a trip back to Alabama, he thought for a visit, but while there he married the widow Margaret Henry Wilson, who had three small children, Margaret's husband had died in Charleston, William had al- ready acquired land under Sterling C9, Robertson and his story of Texas was convincing, The families began to sell their Ala- bama land, and dispose of all personal property that they could not bring with them, and in December 1833, Henry and Sarah Fullerton, William and Margaret and the three children William and Mary Fullerton Henry, Ann McMillan, a widow, with three small children (her husband James) having died in South Carolina, Hugh Henry and wife Elizabeth McMillan Henry, Ed and Mary McMillan, the James Dunn family, Henry Caufield his wife and four children all moved to Texas, These families came by private conveyance, generally using carryalls and ox wagons, They brought their slaves with them. They traveled the old San Antonio road often crossing the Navasota River, They camped near the home of Jermiah Tinnan at the place afterwards called Tinnanville. Their supply of salt being exhausted they tried to buy some from Mr, Tinnan, He gave them a fat -gourd a half gallon container of salt, to be divided among the eight families, advising them to use it sparingly as salt was hard to procure at that time, stating that he had given them his entire supply as he and his family were accustom to doing without salt. but new comers had that to learn. As they followed the OldSan Antonio road across Wheelock Prairie many of the wagw,is mired. While bese were being pulled out and on to firmer ground, the people investigated the surrounding land and decided to locate there, The Mexican Government at that time gave to 6sch family of the colonists under Stephen F, Austin and Sterling C. Robertson contracts, a headright league containing about 4428 acres of land, and also a labor of land of 177 acres: Henry Fullerton Sr., and son Henry Fullerton Jr„, William Fullerton his brother, took their leagues of land about'seven miles northwest of Franklin, Texas and their labors of land of 177 acres each at Benchley (then Staggers Point) William and Margaret adjoined the others but their land lay in Brazos County., Our Henry Fullerton Sr., and Sarah lived on their 177 acres in Robertson County, These three tracts of land adjoining; also adjoining them were the Hugh Henry family, the Robert Henry family and the Wright Coley family, whose children later married into the William Fullerton family, James Dunn Sr. and wife Isabella Caufield Dunn, sister of Sarah Fullerton, and some of the Caufields lived on Wheelock Prairie in Robertson County, All lived with- in several miles of each other. When these settlers first reached Texas the Indians in the country generally were not hostile, later many of the Mexican officials became suspicious and antagonistic and incided the Indians to hostilities against the colonists, Hugh Henry and William Fullerton were killed in January 1839, by Indians at Viesca where the present town of Marlin is located. Several people near the Wheelock Prairie settlement were shot aid scalped and left for dead, These depredations by the Indians caused the people of the settlement in this area to build the Fort at the James Dunn home known as the Dunn Fort,, for the protection of the women and children, These families remained in the fort during the run - away - scrape of 1836. These families,, like many other of the Protestant Irish, emig- rated to America to be free from persecution by the Catholic Church which was in power at the time in Irelands They formed the "Old Ireland Church" afterwards known as "Concord" on Red Top Prairie, near Staggers Point., HENRY AND SARAH had three children born in Ireland, one child born in South Carolina, and three born in Boligee, Alabama. MARY their oldest child was born in Belfast Ireland in 1815, and on November 14 1831 she married William Henry, who was also born in Ireland, William and Mary had six children at the time of the death of William Henry in 1848, After the death of William, Mary married James M, Dixon, and they had one child born in 1851. JOHN IENgi LLERTON JR., was their second child born in Ire- land in 1817. He married Nancy Walker, Henry Jr., took his land as a colonist under Sterling C. Robertson in Robertson County but later moved to Navarro County, Henry Fullerton Jr "s name appears on the Roster of Rangers who went to Ft., Milam, January 17, 1836. 18, r JOHN was the third child born in Ireland in1820 He married his step cousin Isabella Wilson the daughter Margaret Henry Wilson Fullerton and the step - daughter of William Full- erton, Isabella died at the birth of her child Susan, The 1850 census show John and his child Susan living with Mar- garet Fullerton, Isabella's mother. There was an ISABELLA too, in the family of Henry and Sarah, their fourth child born in South Carolina, in 18230 She mar - ried John Walker in Robertson County. Isabella died in the year 1850, and left two small children. WILLIAM the fifth child born in 1825, in Alabama did not marry. He lived at Benchley with his mother Sarah until her death in 1856, he later joined the Army of the confederacy and was killed at the Battle of Gettesburg, THOMAS J.the sixth child born in Alabama and married Ann Jane Henry in 1855, They had three children, Mollie, Bettie and William H, Fullerton. GEORGE HAYS the seventh child was born in Alabama on the 20th day of August 1833, and was only about four months old when his family came to Texas, He married Lucy Catherine McNair in 1857, This tamily and relatives continued to live in Texas within several miles of each other as they had lived in Ire- land, They all lived on small farms, Mary the eldest and Will- iam Henry, built their home on the 177 acres of land at Stagg- ers Point, now Benchley, Texas. John Henry he second child and Nancy lived across the San Antonio Roast on land inherited from her father William Walker, in Brazos County, Isabella and John Walker lived on land adjoining Henry and Nancy Fullerton, John Fullerton and Isabella Wilson Fullerton owned land ad- joining Mary and William Henry, William the son, who did not marry,lived with Sarah and Henry at Staggers Point, Thomas married Ann Jane Henry and located about a mile from the Walkers in 1857, GEORGE HAYS FULLERTON and Lucy also located in this little community in Brazos County. TheVarious children of Sarah and Henry Fullerton living in this community built a Method- ist church and the Historical marker read: "ALEXANDER METHODIST CHURCH was organized in an old log school house in 1854 under Rev. Robert Alexander a circuit rider. The 19, first church was constructed`of hand hewn logs by George H. Fullerton, Hugh Henry, James and John Walker, E, W, Thompson and others, A second church was erected in 1939 and the educational building added in 1957, JOHN HENRY FULLERTON SR, and his son John Henry Fullerton Jr and William Fullerton served in the Army of the Repub- lic of Texas in 1835 - 1836. They received land from the Re- public for services, also as colonists in Robertson Colony. John Fullerton, William Fullerton, Thomas J, and George Hays served in the confederate army from 1861-1865, TO RECAP, HENRY FULLERTON SR was born in 1785 died 1843, and Sarah Fullerton born 1790 died 1856, both died at the original home at Staggers Point and are buried in the Dunn family ceme- tery near Wheelock, Texas The descendants of the Fullerton family and other families buried in the Dunn Cemetery deserve much credit for their work in restoring this old cemetery A State Historical marker commending these families has been placed at this family buring place and reads: "Started in pioneer era on land of James and Isabella Caufield Dunn, who with eight other families came from Ireland to America in 1821 living first in Charleston' SEC„ then in Bol- igee Alabama, In December 1833, they began trek to colony of Sterling C, Robertson by ox- wagons and carryalls, With the Dunns were families of Henry Caufield, Letitia Ellis and her daughter Elizabeth Watson, Henry and William Fullerton, Ann McMillan and the Youngs. Burial of infant of James and Isabella Dunn (1836) opened this cemetery used every since by the heirs of the pioneers (1972) 20, MARY FULLERTON HENRY DIXON "Remove not the ancient landmark which thy father has set" is an ancient proverb, But it might be a proverb of the descendants of early settlers of Robertson County who still live on Texas soil" Mary Fullerton was born in Ireland about 1815. She was the daughter of Henry Fullerton Sr: and Sarah Caufield Fuller- ton, May's parents had heard storieR of the opportunities in America, especially in Texas, sa rout 1820, Mary, her younger brothers Henry and John, her grandparents, Henry and Mary Castles Caufield„ her parents and several other relatives and friends boarded a ship bound for South Caro- lina from whence they expected to eventually arrive in Tex- as. This itself was a test of their courage. For the ships in those days were not the floating palaces that fly rapid- ly back and forth across the Atlantic today. They were slow- er going and poorly equipped to combat the terrible storms? With a song on their lips and hope in their hearts they set sail. They were driven back by a terrific storm, They start- ed again and after three months of alternate smooth seas and riding storm crested waves they reached South Carolina. Would they have reversed their decision to go to the New World if they could have foreseen the tails hardships and tiyhting? I do not believe this would have been their choice. Because, heads lifted high they played their part fearlessly on the stage of early Texas Arriving in South Carolina was again only a beginning. Texas was again in the far - distant future, Covered wagons drawn by ox teams traveled slowly over rough roads and deep dangerous unbridged streams. Travelers were in constant danger of at- tracks from marauding savages, So the little group stayed with a community of immigrants in South Carolina until 1825 when they came to Boligee Alabama, While in Alabama, Mary's father learned much about the land and how to produce cottonand corn.. During these years on the long trip to Texas, Mary was growing up and becoming a young lady„ Mary Fullerton married William Henry (younger brother of Robert Henry) in Boligee Alabama on November 19th 1831` The country in Alabama was beautiful, but Texas the land of "milk and honey" beckoned to the little group from Ireland, But what would they really find in Texas? December 1833, found Mary Fullerton on her way to Texas Texas 21, was under the jurisdiction of Mexico, but colonization was being encouraged. People could by preemption get a league }f land,: In Ireland land had been scarce, Just think of owning early 5 acres, There was an abundance of wild game, buffalo deer, cattle, fowls and birds of all kinds; The soil was rich. Yes, itwas the promised land, Mary Fullerton started overland for Texas. The clothing, bedding, and necessary articles of houseware were_ loaded on a covered wagon drawn by two well - broke oxen, Cooking could beabne with a teakettle, skillet and lid as easily over an outdoor camp fire as, over the fire- place in their cabin home, and potatoes could be baked in the hot ashes at night, It is known that all of the Fullertonas were good cooks, Travel was slow, Some days they made twenty to thirty miles a day over unkept roads, but not often, Mostly the roads were rough,, sometimes covered withrocks and sometimes with great ruts cut.deep in mud. The greatest and most fearsome task was in crossing the streams.There were few bridges and they cross- ed the deeper rivers on "pontoon ferries". These were large rafts made of logs fastened together, They were floored with rough hewn boards and held in place by a cable and were pulled across thestream by strong ropes. The Irish families formed quite a caravan, Some of the families were Blase Stock- ing Presbyterians. Mary Fullerton and her family were among these, They were people who honored the Sabbath aid would not travel on Sunday. They claimed to hive arrived at their des- tination first and without any loss. The familiescere very happy to view the beautiful country through which they slowly passed, They were very excited as they approached the Mississippi River. Its magnitude was be- yond their wildest imagination, It took a long time for all of the caravan to cross the great river. They traveled through river bottoms and intermittent open spaces but onward they came, From Nacogdoches they foll- owed over "El Camina Real ", While even at that time it was about 138 years old, it was a poor road, They would have to stop for days to allow the roads to dry. In February 1834 these seven families reached the Sterling C- Colony in now Robertson County. But what was the country like? The soil was fertile, The mes- quite grass and wild rye were two and three feet high. There I were great numbers of deer and cattle., The cattle were wilder than the deer, There were droves of wild hogs and huge flocks 22, of wild turkeys which had to be shot low because they were so fat that when they fell to the ground from any height their breasts would burst open, They made bread from sweet potatoes, There was an abundance of wild plums and wild berries. In later years the women raised gardens and had fruit trees, One son, James Alexander Henry was born April 12, 1833, in Ala- bama,, On October. 17, 1834, the second tiny son. of Mary Fuller- ton and William Henry glimpsed light for the first time in the wilderness of Robertson colony. Thefirst white child to be born in Robertson County was born only about a half mile from the Brazos County line and about a mile and half west of Bench - ley. He was born in a mud - daubed hut with a rough table for a door and only port holes for windows, He was christened Will- iam Henry Jr., but was always called "Bud ". He was born in a one - legged bed that was built in the corner of the room. There was quite a disturbance that night - -it was later referred to as the "night the stars fell ", It was a sight more awesome and newer than the Indians,, William Henry calmed the fears of his wife Mary because the nearest neighbor was miles away and in this new land therewas no telephone or modern convenience of transportation, Later, life on Peach Creek assumed the responsibilities of the day. To this sturdy family of the soil other children were born. During theabsence of the father the mother had to do the outside chores before dark. And once when William Henry Sr., was off fighting Indians, his wife started to milk just before dark one day and when she opened the door she saw an object bobbling up and down near the old rail cowpen, "My God) its Indians4 she cried and barred herself and the children up in the house. There they sat all huddled up and hungry during the dark hours of that night. Morning finally came as mornings will and she had to have milk for the family of small child- ren So with a pounding heart she opened the door and to her horror therewas the same brown head. She stood still then a light of understanding swept her face. That was her old milk gourd waving in the wind as the weed it was hung on moved about. She always said that was one night the wolves trying to dig under the logs ofthe floor never scared her as she was listening for the blood curdling yell of an Indian.. William Henry Sr,,, died of poisoned Indian arrows,, He had been to buy groceries and managed to get home before he died, Will- iam Henry had served zis Texas as a Ranger and had added much to the future and hopes of the Texas he had so longed to see. But, what of Mary Fullerton Henry- -the widow. She was in her late thirities when she was widowed - -a woman with five children and extensive land holdings, Her father, Henry Fullerton died in 1843, thus leaving her other land holdings,as well as his 23,, other children. In 1849, Mary Fullerton Henry married James M, Dixon who had recently ®me to Texas with his father Mr. Dixon from Alabama. James M. Dixon was said to have been tall and handsome, Danc- ing was enjoyed by all during this brief time and James Dixon was quite an accomplished dancer, having just arrived from Alabama and somehow reminding Mary Fullerton of life in the Alabama of her youth, In 1850, one son was born to this union Henry George Dixon, James M.8 Dixon, William Henry and Henry Fullerton Sr,, were members of Gillespie Masonic Lodge No.55 as were other residents of the Staggers Point community; Mary Fullerton Henry Dixon's _last child Henry George Dixon married Mary Ann Hanover, daughter of Hiram Hanover and Sarah Ann. Sparks, Henry G Dixon is buried at Ingleside, Texas wherehe was living at the time of his death, Mary Dixon's other three sons, Hugh, Ed and James took part in the Civil War, William Jr, stayed at home and drove cattle for beef purposes for the government. Ed returned from the Civil War due to illness, He soon died as a result of his exposure while he had the measles, Hugh later moved to Ennis, Texas, William had married Almeda Foster before the war and they had three children. But the unhealthy conditions of the Peach Creek bottom cut short the lives of his wife and her three children Later William married Sarah Reed and they went to make their home at Edge, They had four sons, John and W, P, of Bryan; C. E. Henry of Navasota and James Henry of Palestine, "Bud" Henry died and is buried by his second wife at Edger James, the oldest son of this Irish family died in 1894,. He is buried in the Henry - Peyton cemetery Aunt Mary Dixon, as she was referred to in later life, lived near her children and always helped nurse and care for the sick of her family and friends.: Babies were born and nature would take its normal course with the aged, George Hays Fullerton, younger brother of Mary Dixon lived in his sister's home following the death of their mother, Sarah Fullerton,. He was only ten years old at the time of the death of his mother. It was in her younger brothers home in later years, at Alexander that Mary Fullerton Henry Dixon died, She is buried by her first husband in the Henry Peyton cemetery just off the Bryan highway near Benchley, formerly Staggers Point, where she had fulfilled her life in her chosen Texas, 24, HERITAGE OF GEORGE McMILLAN George McMillan was the youngest of the four children of James and Ann Reeves McMillan, He was born June 25, 1821,, at Charleston, South Carolina, six weeks after the death of his father.:. Later Ann McMillan and her four children trav- eled to Boligee, Alabama in a covered wagon with other Irish families, Then the new frontiers of Texas were inviting and brought Ann McMillan and family by ox wagon together with seven other families to Sterling Robertson colony in 1833, the settlement known as Staggers Point which is now Benchlev, Texas. The woods were plentiful in bear, deer, wild turkey and other wild life, Earlier settlers, who had come in 1829 -1830, had planted corn, peas and potatoes, so George McMillan and brothers got busy farming to establish livelihood for the Ann McMillan family, George was twelve years old at this time, Ann McMillan had been granted a league of land by the Mexican government, She divided the land among her children, George's tract was in Robertson County between Calvert and Bremond, He never lived on his land but chose to stay in Brazos county and his mother lived with him, Ann McMillan's older sons, Andrew age 22 years and James 18, years, were in the Texas Army from March 1836 to June 1836 but did not participate in the Battle of San Jacinto. When Texas became a Republic, James McMillan was granted land at Thompson Creek, Brazos county in 1838, issued by War Depart- ment Republic of Texas. From all indications George McMillan took his mother and farmed in Thompson Creek community. He married Ann Jane Young April 5, 1855, This union had five children; Alice born November 15, 1856 married W. H. (Bud) Walker, April 1, 1877 She died December 17, 1915; Mary Ann born November 24,1859 married George Wicker, December 23, 1880, she died July 12, 1892; Bettie born November 9, 1862 married Charner Skains, who died December 23, 1895, and afterwards married Thomas Skains in 1899, she died January 1946; Emma born February 1, 1865, died September 11, 1870; William Andrew born December 4, 1869, married Maggie McMordie. He died January 1850, in Calvert Texas. Sometime later George McMillan farmed in the vicinity of Wheel- ock Prairie. His mother died November 9th, 1862 and is buried in Old Dunn Cemetery. His wife Ann Jane McMillan, died Feb- ruary 11, 1870, and is buried in Old Dunn Cemetery, 25, George McMillan was married the second time. He married Maggie Nichol May 4, 1871. To this union was born one daughter, Mar- garet Jane (Maggie) June 6, 1875, Margaret Janes mother died January 1876, when Margaret Jane was 7 months old, Mrs. Tom Fullerton (Ann Jane) who lived in the Alexander community Brazos County, and was a niece of George McMillan, took the baby to raise. Mrs, Fullerton then deeded 50 acres of her land to George McMillan and he brought his family there to be closer to Margaret Jane, George McMillan devoted much of his later life making trips to Galveston and even to New Orleans to purchase articles the neighbors wanted. He died May 21, 1884 and is buried in Alexander Cemetery Brazos county. George McMillan was my grandfather. Margaret Jane McMillan (Maggie) was my mother. She married Horace Holden December 8, 1897, They moved to Robertson County on her McMillan land in 1899. My mother was the last direct descendant of the George McMillan family. She died October 13, 1872, age 97 years 4 months and 7 days and is buried in Alexander Cemetery Brazos County, Texas By: Mrs, Pauline Holden Thomas Bryan, Texas, THE FAITH OF ANN REEVES McMILLAN Ann and James McMillan, Sr. and their three children, Elizabeth Andrew and James Jr,, came to America from Belfast Ireland in the year 1821, They landed in Charleston, South Carolina where they joined other relatives who had already arrived in this country Shortly after their arrival. James Sr,;,, became ill and died, Thus leaving Ann Reeves McMillan a widow with three children in a strange land,. She was also expecting another child which was born six weeks after the death of his father, The new baby was a boy whom Ann named George and was in later life destined to be the child closest to her for she made her home with him and his family, George McMillancas my great yrandfather Many women would have been overwhelmed with grief and the crushing responsibilities of rearing four children in a day and age when women were at a distinct disadvantage in business matters, However, Ann Reeves McMillan's faith never wavered for she pressed forward to Boligee,_ Alabama traveling by the crudest conveyances over the long miles She had the comfort and help of other Irish families who had come over the same time They established homes in Boligee but soonthe new frontiers of Texas beckoned and the same faith that carried Ann through life told her this was the thing to do She being head of a household was granted a league of land (4428) acres by the Mexican government, Shetraveled to Texas with seven other families and her own children and they all settled near Benchley,. T xas and Wheelock Prairie;; Ann never lived on the land granted to her hat divided it among her children, She continued to live with her youngest son George and his family until the time of her death, Ann Reeves McMillan now rests in the old historic Dunn Ceme- tery along side many of the friends and relatives that she came with from Belfast; This is a beautiful, peaceful setting for all these people who had such supreme courage and faith back when times were truly perilous;: By: Mrs. Marjorie Hicks Franklin Texas 27, JOHN R. PEYTON AND SARAH HENRY PEYTON JOHN R. PEYTON SR., was born March 8, 1823, in Alabama, and came to Staggers Point in the early 1840s, he was first married to Jennie Foley, they had only one child, Emma, who married a Lastor, and left Robertson County when young. John R. Peyton Sr.,, married a second time in the year 1866 to SARAH HENRY, daughter of William and Mary Fullerton Henry SARAH was born at Staggers Point, in April of 1842. Sarah and John R. had only one child WILLIAM HENRY PEYTON, born July 17, 1867, at Staggers Point, Sarah died in 1868 soon after the birth of her son William, Sarah is buried by her parents and other relatives in the Peyton -Henry ceme- tery near Benchley, on land inherited from her parents. SARAH AND JOHN , s SON, WILLIAM MARRIED SARNH ANN MELTON, on March 12, 1888, at Wheelock, Texas. Sarah Ann Melton was born May 29, 1867_ and died March 20 1945, they had five children, Miss Marguerite lived with her father until his death in 1957, and now lives with her sister Mrs. Ruby Helen Bowman, at Benchley. Their sons, were Hugh William, James Henry and Jessie C. JOHN R. PEYTON SR,, married a third time to Barbara Williams McMillan, the widow of James McMillan. James McMillan died October 22 1866 and left his widow,, Barbara Williams McMillan and two small children, John R. Sr., and Barbara's first son was John R, Peyton Jr., born October 10, 1884 and died August 27, 1960, he married Eureka Sikes, and they had five children born to them, Elizabeth (Mrs. Gus Bade) Miss Barbara Peyton, John Peyton, Myrtle Cheek, and Luther. John and Barbara's other children were Thomas B., Mary and Lee, Barbara Ann the mother was born in 1845, and died in 1886 John R. Peyton Sr., was born March 8, 1823, and died July 17, 1921„ 28, JAMES DUNN James Dunn and his, wife Isabella Caufield, natives of north- ern Ireland, sailed from Belfast to America early in the nineteenth century. After a brief residence in South Caro- lina they moved in 1825, to Alabama. There they lived until 1833, when they moved to Texas. In January 1834, they arrived at Staggers Point (now Benchley) in the Irish settlement, Shortly afterwards they moved to Wheelock Prairie, where they located their headright in 1834,. There Dunn built a log house that became the nucleus of a frontier settlement later fortified by a stockade, it was called Dunn's Fort in 1837, It was a place of refuge from Indian attacks and the seat of the Land Office during the colonial period. During the run- away-scrape it provided refuge for settlers from the south and west. During his twenty three years in Texas Dunn was engaged mainly in locating land and he became the owner of large tracts of wild lands. He also acquired and raised large herds of cattle. He died in August 1852, his wife died in August 1863, They had four children who reached maturity; Mary who was twice married, first to Felix Robertson and then to David Love, James who died in Navarro County in 1865. George H, who remained on the old home place and became a large land owner and cattle- man like his father, and Catherine A. who married Josephus Cavitt. GEORGE H. DUNN GEORGE H, DUNN, son of James Dunn and Isabella Caufield Dunn was born in Greene County, Alabama,, He was brought up in the saddle and known cattlemen in East and Central he inherited large tracts of land and herds was commissioned Captain by the Confederate purchase and deliver cattle to its armies, his own cattle that named the hills of a dozencounties, he made many sales varying from $26,000,00 to $96 In handling these transactions hecas aided by his wife, Nancy J, Killough who did his clerical and accounting work, Nancy was the daughter of Samuel B: Killough of Robertson County, and was married to Dunn on February 24, 1861. They had thirteen children, Mary Ann, James Blackburn, Isabella who married T,, A, Simms„ of Robertson County, Willie who married Revs John H. Jackson, Sallie E. who married Marsh Mitchell.. George R. James C, Annette Woodard, who Curry, Samuel R,,; Nancy J ; Ida and Ada The Dunns were Methodist and Dunn was a 30, on September 10, 1824, became one of the best Texas, From his father of cattle, He government to When he sold married William G the last two twins. freemason, HUGH HENRY AND ELIZABETH McMILLAN HENRY ELIaAB.TH McMILLAN, was the first child born to James McMillan Sr,, and Ann McMillan, born in Ireland in 1812; she came with her parents from Ireland to South Carolina in 1821, and then to Boligee Alabama. She married Hugh Henry in'Alabama, Hugh and Elizabeth came with the wagon caravan to Staggers Point in January 1834. They had three children, Hugh Henry Jr.,, the oldest died when an infant, William (Bud) who married Sallie Killough, and Ann Jane who married Thomas Fullerton, Hugh Henry was killed with William Fullerton at Morgans Point in January 1839. ELIZABETH married a second time to James Young, to this union were born twins, Mary Ann and Elizabeth Jane, Mary Ann died about the year 1852, while small. Elizabeth Jane married first to John W. Cheatham, John W. Cheatham born December 2, 1829, died June 17, 1899, Elizabeth Jane born October 19, 1851, died April 8, 1920, both are buried in the Franklin Cemetery, A small burial place is located in the Henry Prairie community, on land patented to Hugh Henry during his lifetime, inherited by Elizabeth and children, three graves of Hugh Elizabeth and Hugh Jr,, are in an inciosure, 316 GEORGE HAYS FULLERT0N 1833 -1922 George Hays Fullerton, was born in Boligee, Green County Alabama, August 20, 1833, and was only about four months old when he left Alabama with his parents, Henry and Sarah Fullerton and older brothers and sisters, to come by wagon train with other Irish families to STAGGERS POINT. After the death of his parents, he lived with his older sis- ter Mary Fullerton Henry, until he married Lucy Catherine McNair, February 12, 1857. George had inherited land in Robertson County from his par- ents, but sold his interest in the land and bought about 150 acres of land across the San Antonio road, in Brazos County, He and Lucy built a log cabin on this land in 1857. In 1861, George Fullerton joined a company of volunteers or- ganized at Boonville. Later this company joined what was known as Carters Brigade, alga served until the close of the war in 1865. Lucy was alone, except for relatives who would stay with her for the duration of the war, George and Lucy's first child, John William Fullerton born July 24, 1866, married Mattie Broad'. They had three child - ren; Jimmie Fullerton born March 9, 1889, died July 18, 1890; Norman Fullerton born September 1, 1897, died December 1, 1905; Pearl Fullerton born May 31, • 1891, married Dr,A. L. Mondrick of Bryan, TexaF had one son A. L. Mondrick Jr., born November 19, 1926, The second child was Catherine Ann Fullerton (known as Kate), She was born August 6, 1868,at Tabor and married at the home of her parents February 6, 1895, to Will E. Thompson, who also lived near Tabor, Texas, Will E, Thompson born February 4, 1872, the following children were born to Will and Kate Thomp son, Bessie Lee born March 30 1895, died November 10, 1900, Lucy Myrtle born November 6, 1898, died November 20, 1900, Ruth Thompson born at Wheelock, Texas, October 2 1900, died March 18 1918, Margaret Lucille Thompson born at Wheelock, Texas December 24, 1902 married Ellis Martin of Easterly, Texas; Mary Katherine Thompson born at Wheelock, Texas Decem- ber 12 1904 married James Reid Galloway; Mattie Adelle Thomp- son, born at Wheelock, Texas, Sept.11, 1907 married Hans Paul 32. Schultz, of New Baden, Texas, The third child was Mary Isabella Fullerton, born December 20, 1871, died October 18, 1906, The fourth child Henry H. Rullerton, born January 7, 1873 died August 7, 1898, The fifth child, Effie Little Fullerton born December 3, 1874, married M. S. Broach, their children were: Johnnie Selvin, born November 4, 1898, married Jessie Mae Kelly, of Bryan, Texas; Henry Howard Broach born April 2, 1900, married Grace Gilland, of Franklin, Texas; Richard Raymond (Dick) born January 22 1901, married Lois Gilstrap of Franklin, Texas; Jewell Broach born October 20 1903, married A. G„ Syptak; Lola Mae Broach born March 3, 1904, married Davis Rawls, of Mississippi, Louise Broach born November 24, 1912 married I. N. Hare; George William Broach born Oct- ober 13, 1903 The sixth child of George and Lucy Fullerton was Barbara Little, born at Tabor, Texas January 7, 1878, She lived with her father George Hays Fullerton and took care of him until his death May 20, 1922, she now lives in a Rest Home in Bryan, Texas, She is 95 years of age and the last surviv- or of the George and Lucy Fullerton children, Lucy and George Fullerton, lived in the log cabin they had built in 1857, until about the year 189P They built on to the front of the log cabin, leaving the cabin for the kitchen, Lucy died March 18, 1899, but George continued to live on this farm until 1919. He and his daughter Barbara moved to Bryan, George Hays died in Bryan, Texas May 20,1922, 33. ELIZABETH AND COLUMBUS C. SEALE.. The second child of Robert and Elizabeth Henry was Elizabeth who married Columbus C, Seale, June 26, 18584 their children were: Laura, Susie Mary (Mollie) Columbus C, Robert H, Seale who married Annie Lee, grandparents of Henry Seale; Cora, Zonnie, Kate, Elizabeth, Frances and Minnie, MARY A;: AND BRADFORD SEALE, Mary A, Henry, the second daughter of Robert'and Elizabeth uenry married Bradford T, Seale, brother of Columbus CSeal ^, Their children were:, Bradford, Elizabeth, George Washington, George Washington married Maide Haltom, and Sam Houston Seale, who married Mary Leathers, Susie who married J. W, Haygood, Horace married Linnie Browning, Hugh, Robert aid Katie, Mary Henry Seale, and Bradford Seale lived at Staggers Point, where they built their log cabin, An old well remains at the homesite which dates back to the 1840 Also a rose bush remains on the homesite that is said to have been planted by Mary Henry Seale. This property is still owned by the Haygood children, Elizabeth Henry, the mother made her home with Mary and Bradford Seale in her later life, I have heard many facinating stories about Elizabeth Downing Henry, She was the daughter of Lord Downing of Englane. She must have been a very brave little woman. She lived with her daughter Mrs, Brad Seale, George's motner told me she would walk across the pasture to see Hugh her oldest son) and he would say "Mother wasn't you afraid of those cattle she said "no dear I just took my apron and shewed them away." (writings of Maye Henry, daughter in law of Hugh Henry) JAMES HENRY James Henry, son of Robert and Elizabeth Henry, had two children: Thomas J, and Elizabeth E, MARGARET HENRY Margaret Henry, daughter married James McMillan, their child- ren were: George R; 18501885 William H, Mary C,,, Margaret J and Susan= CATHERINE HENRY Catherine Henry, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth, married Alexander Nesbit, Their .hildren were John Wilson, Robert Joseph, Hugh R dna Aaron Nesbit. Aaron Nesbit died August 16, 1867, 34,E ISAAC WILLIAMS FAMILY Mr, and Mrs, Isaac Williams and their children, Angeline, Molly, Buddy and Barbara were living near Staggers Point in the early 1840 °s„ Their daughter Barbara first married James McMillan, and after his death became the third wife of John R Peyton, Angelineluried in Henry Peyton cemetery died December 24, 1934 at the age of 82 years, Williamson Williams listed in Henry Peyton cemetery died March 28, 1915, at the age of 60 years, JAMES ALEXANDER HENRY, James Alexander Henry, born April 12, 1833, in Greene County Alabama, the son of William and Mary Fullerton Henry, He was married to Effie Little McNair July 29, 1857 they had only one child, Hugh Roderic Henry, born February 2 1860, Hugh married Helen Melton, December 25, 1879, and they had four children born to them, Margaret Effie born and died April 27, 1881, Mary Ann Henry born and died December 19, 1884, Jimmie Fountain Henry born September 20, 1887, married Sam Rice November 18, 1907, Sam R, Rice and Jimmie Henry Rice had four children; Hugh William, Henrietta Effie Rice, Melton Rice, and Sam Rice Jr, James Alexander Henry lived at Staggers Point all of his life therehe and Effie built a log home, each generation living at the same home, Mrs, Effie Rice Rambo and Sam R. Rice, children of Jimmie and Sam Rice live at this same location. Some years ago, additions were built around this log struct- ure, part of the house is the original home of James Alexander Henry built about the year 1857, 35® ISAAC WILLIAMS FAMILY Mr. and Mrs, Isaac Williams and their children Angeline, Molly, Buddy and Barbara were living near Staggers Point in the early 1840 Their daughter Barbara first married James McMillan, and after his death became the third wife of John R. Peyton. Angelinehiried in Henry Peyton cemetery died December 24,, 1934 at the age of 82 years, Williamson Williams listed in Henry Peyton cemetery died March 28, 1915, at the age of 60 years, JAMES ALEXANDER HENRY James Alexander Henry, born April 12, 1833, in Greene County Alabama, the son of William and Mary Fullerton Henry„ He was married to Effie Little McNair July 29, 1857, they had only one child. Hugh Roderic Henry, born February 2 1860, Hugh married Helen Melton, December 25, 1879,, and they had four children born to them,, Margaret Effie born and died April 27, 1881, Mary Ann Henry born and died December 19, 1884, Jimmie Fountain Henry born September 20 1887, married Sam Rice November 18, 1907, Sam R, Rice and Jimmie Henry Rice had four children; Hugh William, Henrietta Effie Rice, Melton Rice, and Sam Rice Jr., James Alexander Henry lived at Staggers Point all of his life therehe and Effie built a log home, each generation living at the same home, Mrs, Effie Rice Rambo and Sam R. Rice, children of Jimmie and Sam Rice live at this same location. Some years ago, additions were built around this log struct- ure, part of the house is the original home of James Alexander Henry built about the year 1857, 35, HUGH HENRY HUGH REED HENRY, was the first child of Robert and Elizabeth Henry, born in South Carolina, May 19, 1821 and came with his parents to Staggers Point in 1829, He was first married to Mary Elizabeth Foley, Hugh Reed and Mary Elizabeth had five children, Harve Henry who married Bettie Brogdon, they had four children, only one survives (Nonie Stevenson, of Conroe, Texas), James Sidney, known as Jim Henry, married Clara LaFevre, they had several children to die in infancy, others were James Warren, Katie, Claude and James Roy, only two now survive, Claude Henry and Katie Dorrell, of Hearne,Texas, Sam H, Henry was married to Sally McDonald sister of Henry McDonald, that married Susie Henry. No children now survive by this marriage. Later Sam moved to Rising Star near,Cisco, Eastland County. He remarried, his wife's name is unknown, Some of his children attended the first Henry reunion held at Benchley in Peyton's pasture. Susie Henry was married to Henry McDonald. They moved to Eastland County in West Texas. They had two daughters, the youngest daughter was a graduate nurse, "Sue came one summer and visited us a good while before George died.. She was short and fat I remember Clara Henry telling her she wouldn't be as fat as she for anything. Sue said you could be this fat for nothing". (from writings of Mrs, Maye Henry, Bryan, Texas) Margaret Henry married a school teacher, William Johnson,known as Club Foot Johnson, two boys and two girls were born to this union, all deceased. After the death of Elizabeth Henry, Hugh married a second time to Barbara McNair McDowell, August 30 1877, Barbara McNair was born in Mississippi, August 7, 1842, her father Roderic McNair was a school teacher and taught the day he died in the year 1868, Mary Ann McNair was a short fat little Irish woman, was blind for many years, she died July 14,1899, Three children were born to Hugh Reed and Barbara Henry, Dodson, Georgia and George, Dodson and Georgia dying in childhood, George the third child was born in Brazos County, July 19th 1882, he was married to Miss Mae Thompson the youngest daughter of E. W. and Margaret Thompson on N vember 17, 1901, in Brazos County, George and Mae Henry has seven children born to them, Ola Maye, Bessie Marie, Loyce Selma, Eula Lee, Leslie Bryan, Elizie Emmett and Willie Herbert. Hugh Henry bought his land in Brazos County. While some of the Henry's settled in Robertson County, Hugh took his land across the San Antonio road in Brazos County, there he built 36, his home and lived on the land until his death, His son George inherited this land and there he reared his family, remodled the home, and lived on the land until his death. The property is now owned by the heirs of George Henry. After thedeath of Hugh Henry, Barbara McNair Henry married William Johnsor After his death Barbara lived with her son George and his wife Maye Henry until her death, From a letter from Barbara's daughter -in -law, Maye Henry quote: "Granny was living with us when George died, she lived with me fifteen years. Size was blind and helpless before she died. I had to bathe her like a baby, "she saidto me one day while I was 1lthing her, Maye, there will be many stars in your crown when you die." Other notations from letters: "Grandpa Hugh had two Mrs. Columbus Seale, and Mrs. Brad Seale, They were and Mary Henry. He had brothers but they died when Granny Johnson told us that the Indians shot one of while riding behind Grandpa Hugh," Across the road from the George Henry home on land originally the property of Hugh Henry, then inherited by his son Harve Henry, is the Henry family cemetery. Hugh R. Henry is buried by his first wife Elizabeth Foley Henry. Barbara McNair Mc- Dowell Henry is buried by her last husband William Johnson, 37 sisters Elizabeth young. his brothers I N M E M O R I A L . Mrs, Jimmie Henry Rice, was born in Benchley, Texas, SeptT ember 20, 1887,and spent her lifetime in the same home where she and all of her children were born. A woman who dearly loved her neighbors and fellowman. Mrs, Rice was honored at probably her last appearance before a crowd of people on September 22, 1968 at her home in Benchley, Texas by her children and The Hearne Democrat She wrote for the Hearne Democrat for 70 years and in later years wrote "YESTER- YEARS" for the Robertson County Historical Survey Comm Mrs. Rice was a charter member of the Daughters of Republic of Texasand the Historical Survey Committee, her records of the past of Texas were invaluable, She was a descendant of William and Mary Fullerton Henry, the first settlers to come from Ireland to STAGGERS POINT (now Benchley) Mrs. Rice died in Bryan, Texas, February 22 1971, MRS. JIMMIE HENRY RICE 1887 - -1971 38„ HISTORICAL RESEARCH 1, Census Reports, Probate records and Deed Records of Robertson County, Texas, Cattleman' Magazine- Account given by Henry Seale Sr., Mrs, Jimmie Henry Rice, records and•accounts Hearne Democrat Writings of Miss Barbara Fullerton- Bryan, Texas Many verbal accounts handed down from generation to generation almost becoming legend, Grand Lodge of Texas Texas State Archives Henry- Peyton Cemetery - Benchley Seale Family Cemetery - Benchley Dunn Cemetery - Wheelock Robert Henry- Dedication- Benchley By Hazel Richardson- Bryan, Texas. Mrs, Maye Henry, Bryan, Texas 39, MY WELD IRISH ROSE My wild Irish Rose, the sweetest flower that grows,® You'll search everywhere, but none can compare With my wild' Irish Rose My wild Irish Rose,` -The sweetest flower that grows, -- Some day for my sake, she may let me take The bloom from my wild Irish Rose, SWEET ROSIE O'GRADY Sweet Rosie O °Grady My dear little Roseg She's my steady lady, Most everyone knows. And when we get married, How happy we'll be I love sweet Rosie O'Grady, And Rosie O'Grady loves me. WHEN IRISH EYES ARE SMILLING WHERE THE RIVER SHANNON FLOWS 40 When Irish eyes are smilinn'® -Sure its like a morn in Spring - In the lilt of Irish laughter You can hear the angels sing. When Irish hearts are happy - - -All the world seems bright and gay - And when Irish eyes are smiling, Sure they steal your heart away, There's a pretty spot in Ireland I always claim for my land, Where the fairies and the blarney will never, never die. Its the land of the shillallah, My heart goes back there daily to the girl I left behind me When we kissed and said goodbye. Where dear old Shannon's flowing, Where the three leafed shamro grows Where my heart is, I am going, To my little Irish Rose Nnd the moment that I meet her With a hug and kiss I'll greet her For there's not a colleen sweeter where the river Shannon flowso We have placed a "Memory Sheet" in the back of the book, It is our hope you will use it for any additional inform- ation and personal history that you might have on these Irish families or descendants,and that you will share it with us, Our apologes for any errors, and if we have left anyone out it was not intentional, but because we did not have the information. Mrs. Rice's records have been invaluable,also those of Mrs. Maye Henry, who is the daughter -in -law of Hugh Henry, the oldest child of Robert and Elizabeth. Her records and recollections have keen of great help in writing this book, The funds from the sale of this book will be placed in an Historical Memorial Fund in the name of "Mary Fullerton Henry Dixon ", that the Irish of Staggers Point will not be forgotten. Tradition is the link to the past, the thread of history,the handclasp with the ancestor we have never met, It is a form of immortality because it carries some- thing forward from the long distant past. 410