J. C. Flora, a dedicated and affable Superintendent of Public Instruction in Fort Bend County, has diligently managed the local schools. Recently acquiring the Texas Coaster newspaper, he demonstrates a commitment to both his patrons and the community’s interests. His leadership is expected to elevate the Coaster, ensuring it remains contemporary and reflective of important local issues, thereby enhancing the reputation of Fort Bend County.
Captain Wiley Martin, born in Georgia in 1776, had a diverse career as a soldier, teacher, and clerk before joining Aaron Burr in business. He served in the War of 1812 under Generals Harrison and Jackson, earning a captaincy for his bravery. After a duel and subsequent resignation, he moved to Texas in 1825, becoming an alcalde and a military leader during the Texas Revolution. He later practiced law, served as the first county judge of Fort Bend County, and died in 1842 near Richmond.
The record lists various members of Company H from Fort Bend County during the Civil War, noting changes in ranks, resignations, and discharges. Key figures include Captain John T. Holt, who resigned in December 1861, and First Lieutenant Thomas S. Weston, promoted to Captain in December 1862. Several soldiers faced dire fates, with many wounded or killed in battles like Shiloh, while others, such as J. T. Maxwell, were captured. The document provides insight into the service and sacrifices of these men.
M. M. Newell, currently in his first term as County Clerk of Fort Bend County, has demonstrated notable efficiency in his role. His family, with roots in the area since 1830, contributed significantly during the frontier era and the Mexican invasion. They held various positions of trust and earned a reputation as steadfast, honorable citizens, underlining the historic legacy associated with Newell’s name in Fort Bend County.
Henry, an elderly man in Richmond, Texas, recounts his life and experiences, including his time as a slave for Captain Randall Jones after being brought from North Carolina in 1832. He vividly remembers the 1836 conflict with the Mexicans, detailing the harrowing encounter with the steamboat Yellowstone and its swift navigation to escape capture. Henry also recalls General Houston’s stay at their home while recovering from a leg wound, alongside another wounded man, possibly General Johnston. He is believed to be around one hundred years old, offering a unique perspective on historic events.
The post enumerates the fates of various members of Company F, 24th Texas, detailing those who died in battle, in prison at Camp Butler, or from illness. Notable engagements include Arkansas Post, Chickamauga, Jonesboro, and Franklin, with many soldiers succumbing to wounds or illness after returning home. The list highlights both casualties and injuries, including Second Lieutenant R. P. Briscoe, who endured a minor injury during the battle of Jonesboro but ultimately survived.
The roster lists the officers and soldiers of Terry Rangers, Company A, including their ranks, counties of origin, and various fates during the Civil War. Captains Thomas Harrison and Rufus Y. King, along with other officers, faced injuries and resignations, while many enlisted men experienced wounds, captures, and deaths in significant battles, such as Shiloh and East Tennessee. The entries reflect the sacrifices made by these Texans throughout the conflict, illustrating their commitment and the realities of wartime service.
William Kinchen Davis, born in Alabama on November 11, 1822, was an early pioneer of Fort Bend County, Texas, arriving in 1830. As a youth, he contributed to local fortifications and participated in the 1839 campaign against Native Americans. He joined the Somerville expedition in 1842, becoming a prisoner in the Battle of Mier, enduring severe hardships before being released by Santa Anna. Davis later married twice, had five children, and was a successful businessman and community leader until his death in 1891.
Colonel Benjamin Franklin Terry led the original field staff of the regiment, with other notable appointments including Lieutenant Colonel Thomas S. Lubbock and Major Thomas Harrison, who rose to Brigadier General. Key roles were filled by Martin H. Royston as Adjutant, Benjamin H. Botts as Assistant Quartermaster, and Robert H. Simmons as Commissary. Surgeons Dr. John M. Weston and Dr. Robert E. Hill served the unit, while William B. Savers and other members advanced through ranks, demonstrating commitment throughout the Civil War.
John A. Wharton, originally a Captain from Brazoria County, rose to Colonel in January 1862 and later became a Brigadier General, ultimately meeting his death in a private altercation. The regiment included various ranks from 1st Lieutenant to Corporals, with several members suffering casualties in battles such as Murfreesboro and Shiloh. Notable mentions include William Henry Shark and William Groce, alongside many others who faced injuries, death, or discharge throughout their service, highlighting the regiment’s sacrifices during the Civil War.
John H. Pickens Davis, born on February 11, 1851, in Fort Bend County, is a prominent banker and citizen of Richmond. The son of Captain William S. and Jane Davis, he married Susan E. Ryon on February 10, 1875, who passed away in 1884, leaving him with two children. Judge Davis is known for his commitment to public service and community initiatives, reflecting a deep connection to the values and aspirations of his community.
Mr. Hodge, born on Galveston Island on May 18, 1836, has resided in Richmond, Fort Bend County, for nearly sixty-six years. His parents were colonists of Stephen F. Austin, who initially settled near Damons Mound. During the Mexican invasion in 1836, the family fled to Galveston, while others joined Houston’s army. Following the battle of San Jacinto, they relocated to Fort Bend County, where their descendants have remained.
Captain M. L. Evans of Gonzales County died from wounds at Perryville, Kentucky, in October 1862. 1st Lieutenant A. M. Shannon was promoted to Captain on the same day and later became Colonel of special scouts. Several officers and soldiers from various counties faced combat, injury, and death throughout the war, with many discharged or captured. Notable losses included B. F. Batchelor, who was killed in Georgia, and W. H. Shannon, who fell in Tennessee. The toll on the unit was significant as it endured the challenges of the Civil War.
Colonel William M. Ryon, born in Winchester, Kentucky, migrated to Texas in 1837. He participated in laying out Austin in 1839 and later organized troops for the 1842 invasion of Mexico. Captured at Mier, Ryon showed valor, sustaining injuries during the battle. After his release in 1845, he married Mary M. Jones and engaged in farming and business in Fort Bend County. A respected community member, he was affiliated with the Episcopal Church and Masonic fraternity, passing away on October 31, 1875.
R. H. Worthington, born on June 6, 1826, in Pitt County, North Carolina, moved to Fort Bend County, Texas, in 1849. Notably, he served as a nurse during the yellow fever epidemic of 1853 with the Howard Association. He resides in Richmond, Texas. His wife, Mary E. Worthington, originally from Georgia, married William McGee before their journey to Texas in 1850. After settling in Fort Bend County, she married Worthington in November 1853, following the accidental death of her first husband.
The post provides a detailed account of soldiers from Terry Rangers, Company D, highlighting their ranks, counties of origin, fates, and service records during the Civil War. Key figures include Captain Steven C. Ferrill, who resigned and later died, and numerous lieutenants and soldiers who faced injuries, discharges, or fatalities in various battles. The list reflects a mix of heroes, casualties, and veterans from Bastrop, Travis, and nearby counties, illustrating the unit’s diverse experiences and sacrifices throughout the conflict.
J. E. Dyer, Sr. was born on July 11, 1832, in Fort Bend County, Texas. Raised in Richmond, he thrived as a businessman involved in stock-raising, merchandising, and banking. He served as Fort Bend County treasurer from 1852 to 1859 and supported the Confederacy during the Civil War. Dyer married Isabella Heard in 1859, with whom he had eight children. He died on October 31, 1891, in Boerne and was buried in Richmond, mourned by family and friends alike.
Abraham Darst arrived in Texas in the early 1820s from St. Charles County, Missouri, settling at Damons Mound, which spans Fort Bend and Brazoria counties. He had two wives and fathered several children, including notable descendants such as Emery Darst, who married Mary Ann Moore. The Darst family produced brave citizens, with members participating in key events like the battle of San Jacinto. They were recognized as reliable settlers under Stephen F. Austin, with their legacy continuing in Fort Bend County.
The roster of Company E includes notable personnel from Gonzales and De Witt Counties, detailing their ranks, injuries, and fates during the Civil War. Captain L. N. Rayburn, wounded at Shiloh, was promoted to Major. Several lieutenants and sergeants faced injuries and promotions, while others resigned, discharged, or died in combat. The list records numerous privates, highlighting sacrifices, with many killed or wounded at key battles such as Fort Donelson and Murfreesboro. The names reflect the human cost of war, marking the contributions and losses of the company.
John McKnabb, a Scottish native who settled in Fort Bend County in 1837, participated in the ill-fated Santa Fe expedition of 1841. He volunteered for the arduous journey, facing severe hardships such as scarcity of water and food. Captured by Mexican forces, McKnabb endured nearly two years of hard labor and mistreatment before his release. He returned to Texas via Galveston and later lived in Richmond, where he passed away in 1894 and was buried on his farm near the Brazos River. He had one son, A. D. McKnabb.