Children of Alexander Franklin Stacy and Marinda Stanley

Six children are credited to this union:

I.   Edmoune H Stacy

b.  November 1, 1833, Perhaps in Natchitoches Parrish, LA

d.  December 14, 1848, Provencal, Natchitoches Parrish, LA Age 15

II.  Nancy B Stacy wife of Levi Johnson

b.  December 1, 1836, Natchitoches Parrish, LA

m. 1852 Sabine Parish

d.  May 2, 1923 Atascosa County, TX, Age 86

Find A Grave Memorial # 97717083

Nancy was born on December 1, 1836 in Natchitoches Parrish, Louisiana. She was the eldest daughter of Marinda Stanley and Alexander Franklin Stacy.

In 1852, 16-year-old Nancy married 27-year-old Levi Johnson in Sabine Parish, Louisiana. Levi was born about 1825 in Tennessee, the exact location and his parents are unknown. They settled in Natchitoches Parish near her parents. They soon began a family.

In 1860 Nancy and Levi were living in Natchitoches Parish next to her parents. Levi was working as a farm laborer.  The 1860 census enumerated on September 20 indicates the couple were not land owners; it is likely that they were living on and working her father’s property. Their personal property was valued at $150. With the couple were three sons, Henry 6, John 4 and Millard 2. Nancy must have been pregnant as their daughter Martha in January 1861.

In 1862, Levi enlisted in Captain Fuller’s Cavalry Company of the Confederate Army. The company was reassigned to the 16^th Battalion Louisiana Infantry as Company D in June 1863. At some point he was transferred to Company N of the consolidated Crescent Regiment Louisiana Infantry. His unit surrendered in New Orleans at the end of the war. Levi was paroled at Natchitoches on June 7, 1865.

One additional child, James F. was born in Louisiana in 1869; soon after the family moved to Texas where their last known child Josephine was born in 1872. According to a deposition Nancy gave in 1899, the family moved to Atascosa County around 1877. Levi and two of his sons, Thomas ”Henry” and John G., purchased 112 acres jointly.

In 1880 the Johnson family was living in Atascosa County. The family consisted of Levi a 55-year-old farmer, his wife Nancy 44, and children Thomas H. 24, John G. 22, William F. 20, Martha J. 18, James F. 11, and Josephine 8. Several of Nancy’s siblings were living in Atascosa County as well.

In 1883 Levi died. He was buried in Shiloh Cemetery, Atascosa County. In August 1899 Nancy filed for a Texas Confederate Pension. In the file she listed her assets as 1/6 of 112 acres (worth $5 / acre) 2 cows and calves, 1 yearling worth $50. She further stated that in the prior 2 years she had sold 2 cows worth $45.90. The pension application was signed with a mark and not a signature. Her brother Henry S. Stacy who was a resident of Natchitoches Parrish answered a deposition regarding the marriage, death, and military service of Levi. The pension was approved in Feb. 1900.

After the death of Levi, Nancy continued to live in Atascosa County with her son James and his family. The 1900 & 1910 census both indicate that Nancy could read and write.

Nancy died on May 2, 1923 near Poteet, Texas.  She was buried in Shiloh Cemetery next to Levi. The 1910 census indicated that Nancy had given birth to 8 children, only 6 are known.

1.   Thomas Henry Johnson                            (1853 – 1892)
2.   John Greenwood Johnson                         (1858 – 1920)
3.   Millard Filmore Johnson                            (1859 – 1897)
4.   Martha J "Mattie" Johnson Rutledge           (1861 – 1941)
5.   James F Johnson                                     (1867 – 1939)
6.   Josephine Johnson Ray                            (1872 – 1927)

III. William Harrison Stacy husband of Katherine Matilda Wagley

b.  February 14, 1839, Marthaville, Natchitoches Parrish, LA

m. May 19, 1867 Natchitoches, LA to Matilda Wagley

d.  October 24, 1895 Provencal, Natchitoches, LA, Age 56

Find A Grave Memorial # 25456664

William Harrison Stacy was born February 14, 1839, in Marthaville, Natchitoches Parrish, Louisiana.  He was the son of Marinda Stanley and Alexander Franklin Stacy. He and his younger brother Henry were very close.  They enlisted into the same unit the Confederate Army. After their discharge they married sisters. They spent their adult lives living in the same area, and were buried in the same cemetery.

On May 7, 1862 in Natchitoches, 22-year-old William, a farmer born in Louisiana, enlisted as a Private in Lt. Col. J.D. Shelley’s Company C, 11th Infantry Battalion of the Confederate Army for a period of 3 years. He was described as 5’ 11 ¼” tall with blue eyes, light hair, and fair complexion. He was paid a $50 bounty for his enlistment.

In November 1863, William was reassigned to Company F; his unit was merged into the Consolidated Crescent Regiment Louisiana Infantry. He was promoted to Corporal prior to his discharge. His unit surrendered in New Orleans on May 26, 1865. William was paroled at Natchitoches on June 9, 1865. He was present for all rolls with the following notations: Jul/Aug 1864 Deserted and absent 29 days, Mar/Apr 1863 absent at hospital.

William married Katherine “Matilda” Wagley on May 19, 1867. Matilda was born in Vowells Mills, Natchitoches Parish on September 2, 1847 to Phillip Wagley and Nancy Jane Gilchrist.

The couple settled near Provencal in Natchitoches Parish and began a family. When the 1880 federal census was taken, the family was living in the 6th Ward of Natchitoches Parish. 41-year-old William, a farmer born in Louisiana, was living with his wife Matilda 28, and children Henry Stacy 10, Josephine Stacy 7, Nancy Stacy 5, and Rebecca Stacy 1.

William died on October 24, 1895 at the age of 57. He was buried in the Stacy Cemetery in Provencal, Louisiana.

After his death Henry Edward the eldest son assumed the responsibility for his mother and younger siblings. In the 1900 census, 30-year-old Edward was listed as head of the household. Living with him in Natchitoches Parish was his mother Matilda 50, and siblings Rebecca 21, Laura 18, Kate 14, Lula 11, and William 8. The census indicated the Matilda had given birth to 9 children, 8 were still living.

After his death Matilda filed for a Louisiana Confederate Widows Pension based on Will’s service. Matilda Wagley Stacy died on April 10, 1932. She was buried in Stacy Cemetery in Provencal, Louisiana. Known children of Will and Matilda Stacy are:

1.   Henry "Edward" Stacy                                           (1869 – 1949)  Age 80
2.   Josephine Virginia Stacy Dowden                           (1873 - 1931)  Age 57
3.   Nancy E Stacy Waldron                                        (1875 - 1931)  Age 55

4.   Rebecca Miranda Stacy Driggers                            (1879 - 1959)  Age 80

5.   Laura Jane Stacy Pharis Monitzer                           (1882 - 1963)  Age 83
6.   Matilda Catherine "Kate" Stacy Robinson                (1884 - 1971)  Age 87
7.   Lula May Stacy Stephenson                                   (1889 - 1981)  Age 92
8.   William Harrison Stacy                                           (1891 - 1968)  Age 77

IV. Henry Stanley Stacy husband of Parthenia Wagley

b. November 11, 1840 Marthaville, Natchitoches Parrish, LA (twin of Rebecca)

m. August 11, 1866 Provencal, Natchitoches, LA to Parthenia Wagley

d. December 9, 1910 Provencal, Natchitoches, LA, Age 69

Find A Grave Memorial # 25456698

Henry Stanley Stacy was born November 11, 1840, in Natchitoches Parrish, Louisiana. He was the son of Marinda Stanley and Alexander Franklin Stacy. He was a twin; his twin sister was named Rebecca.  He and his older brother Will were very close.  They enlisted into the same unit the Confederate Army. After their discharge they married sisters. They spent their adult lives living in the same area, and were buried in the same cemetery.

On May 7, 1862 in Natchitoches, 21-year-old Henry, a farmer born in Louisiana, enlisted as a Private in Lt. Col. J.D. Shelley’s Company C, 11th Infantry Battalion of the Confederate Army for a period of 3 years. He was described as 5’ 9 ½” tall with blue eyes, light hair, and fair complexion. He was paid a $50 bounty for his enlistment.

In November 1863, Henry was reassigned to Company F; his unit was merged into the Consolidated Crescent Regiment Louisiana Infantry. His unit surrendered in New Orleans on May 26, 1865. Henry was paroled at Natchitoches on June 9, 1865. He was present for all rolls with the following notations: Jul/Aug 1862 Deserted and absent 29 days. He was admitted to the CSA General Hospital, Shreveport, Louisiana on April 8, 1864 for Debilitas; he returned to duty same day.

Henry S. Stacy married Parthenia Wagley on August 11, 1866. Parthenia was born in Vowells Mills, Natchitoches Parish on July 8, 1842 to Phillip Wagley and Nancy Jane Gilchrist.

The couple settled near Provencal in Natchitoches Parish and began a family. When the 1880 federal census was taken, the family was living in the Police Jury Ward 1, Natchitoches Parish. 58-year-old H S, a farmer born in Nov 1841 in Louisiana, was living with his wife Parthenia 38, and children Epsy Stacy 10, Franklin Stacy 9, Nancy Stacy 7, Virginia 5, William Stacy 2 and Benjamin Stacy 1. Also living with the family was William Pouncy, age 23 a laborer.

When the 1900 federal census was taken, the family was living in the 6th Ward of Natchitoches Parish. 40-year-old Henry, a farmer born in Louisiana, was living with his wife Parthenia 56, and children Wm H Stacy 21, Virginia Stacy 23, Benjamin Stacy 18, Josephine 17, and Henry Stacy 13. The census indicated Henry and Parthenia had been married 34 years.  In that time Parthenia had given birth to 10 children, 7 of which were still living.

Parthenia died on June 18, 1905 and was buried in the Stacy cemetery in Victoria. When the census was taken in May 1910, Henry was living in Police Jury Ward 1, Natchitoches. He was listed as a 68-year-old widower, whose occupation was farmer. Living with him were his son William 31 and his daughter Virginia 35 both single. The census indicated that Henry was an employee and that his son William owned the farm on which they were living.

Henry died on Dec. 9, 1910. He was buried in Stacy Cemetery in Victoria, Louisiana. Known children of Henry and Parthenia Stacy are:

1.   Epsie Rebecca Stacy Freeman                                (1867 - 1924)  Age 57
2.   Alexander Franklin Stacy                                         (1871 - 1887)  Age 14
3.   Nancy Elizabeth Stacy Puckett                                (1873 - 1947)  Age 74
4.   Virginia "Jennie" Stacy Ford                                     (1874 - 1960)  Age 85
5.   William "Bill" Henry Stacy                                        (1878 - 1951)  Age 73
6.   Benjamin "Ben" Phillip Stacy                                    (1879 - 1958)  Age 78
7.   Josephine Anna Stacy Futrell                                    (1881 - 1979)  Age 98
8.   Henry Stanley Stacy                                                 (1885 - 1966)  Age 92

V.   Rebecca Josephine Stacy wife of John Reason Meadows

b. November 11, 1840 Marthaville, Natchitoches Parrish, LA (twin of Henry)

m. August 4, 1859 Provencal, Natchitoches, LA to John Reason Meadows

d. January 6, 1928 Atascosa County, TX, Age 85

Find A Grave Memorial # 55336407

When Rebecca Harrison Stacy was born November 11, 1840, in Marthaville, Natchitoches Parrish, Louisiana her father, Alexander Franklin Stacy, was 42 and her mother, Marinda Stanley, was 23. She was a twin; her twin brother was named Henry Stanley. 

Rebecca married John Reason Meadows on August 4, 1859, in Natchitoches, Louisiana. They settled in Natchitoches parish probably near her parents. The couple soon began a family, their first son, Joseph was born about 1860.

On May 7, 1862 in Natchitoches, 21-year-old John, a farmer, enlisted as a Private in Lt. Col. J.D. Shelley’s Company C, 11th Infantry Battalion of the Confederate Army for a period of 3 years. He was described as 6’ tall with blue eyes, dark hair, and fair complexion. He was paid a $50 bounty for his enlistment on September 30, 1862.

In November 1863, John was reassigned to Company F; his unit was merged into the Consolidated Crescent Regiment Louisiana Infantry. His unit surrendered in New Orleans on May 26, 1865. John was paroled at Natchitoches on June 9, 1865. He was present for all rolls with the following notations: Jul/Aug 1862 Deserted July 1-returned August 10; Nov/Dec 1862 absent without leave.

After John returned from the war, family life resumed, their family expanded with the birth of 2 more sons, Harry born in 1867 and John in 1869.  Soon after the birth of John, the family packed their belongings and moved to Atascosa County, Texas where they were living when the 1870 census was taken. The family was listed in Precinct 2, Atascosa County (Somerset post office). Rebecca listed as “R H Meadows” a 29-year-old house maker and her 30-year-old farmer husband “J R” owned $80 of real estate and $40 personal estate.  Three children were living in the home, Joseph 10, Henry 3 and John 1.

In 1880 the family was living in Precinct 2, Atascosa, Texas. John, a 40-year-old farmer was living with 39-year-old Rebecca and his 6 sons, and 2 daughters: Joseph W. 19 working as a farm laborer, James H. 13 and John 11 were going to school, William D. 7, Charles L. 7 (twins), Maggie E. 5, Norah B. 2, and Robert 3 months.

John died on 26 May 1894 in Atascosa County, Texas. He was buried in Rutledge Cemetery, Poteet, Texas. Rebecca stayed on the farm they owned in Atascosa County for many years. When the 1900 census was taken, Rebecca was living on a farm in Atascosa County that she was farming (with the help of her sons).  The census indicated that she had given birth to nine children and all were living.  Living with her were William D 27, Belle 23, Robert 21 and Ida 14.

After the turn of the century, Rebecca moved to San Antonio. When the 1910 census was taken she was living at 130 Rehmann Street in San Antonio in a home she owned.  It showed that 69 year old Rebecca was widowed and not working. The census indicated she had given birth to twelve children and 10 were still living.  Living with her were children Belle 30 a seamstress at a clothing factory, and Lott 27 a laborer working odd jobs.

When the 1910 census was taken Rebecca listed as “R H” was a 79-year-old widow, keeping house at 120 Rehmann Street in San Antonio in a home she owned free and clear. Living with her were her children Joe 56 a general laborer and Belle 35 a millinery fitter.

On 30 Aug 1921, Rebecca applied for Texas Confederate Widows Pensions. The application stated she was the widow of John Reason Meadows, who died on May 26, 1894 in Atascosa County, Texas. She stated they were married in Natchitoches Parish on August 4, 1859 and that she had not remarried since his death, never divorced or abandoned him during his life.

She further stated she was 81 years old. That she was born in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana. That she had lived in the state of Texas for 52 years. She had lived at her current residence, 120 Rehmann Street, San Antonio Texas for 13 years. Her husband full name was John Reason Meadows and his death date was May 26, 1894. He had never drawn a pension for his military service. Her husband’s unit was organized in Louisiana, and he served the full term of the war, his unit was Company C of the 11th “Shelly’s Battalion” in the Infantry. The Bexar county tax assessor verified that she wasn’t on the property tax rolls. The pension was approved on September 28, 1921. She drew the pension until her death.  

Her pension file contained an application for a mortuary warrant that stated Rebecca died January 6, 1928 in San Antonio, Texas. It noted that she had died of Cancer on the face. She was 87 at the time of her death. She was buried in Rutledge cemetery, Poteet, Texas next to her husband John. Known children of Rebecca Stacy and John Reason Meadows are:

1.    Joseph William Meadows                              (1860 – 1937)  Age 76

2.    James Henry Meadows                                (1867 – 1921)  Age 54

3.    John Alexander Meadows                             (1869 – 1947)  Age 78

4.    William Dee Meadows                                  (1872 – 1956)  Age 82

5.    Charles Lee Meadows                                  (1872 - 1948)  Age 74

6.    Margaret Elizabeth Meadows Aaron                (1875 – 1940)  Age 65

7.    Lenora Belle Meadows                                 (1877 – 1953)  Age 75

8.    Robert Wright Meadows                               (1880 – 1952)  Age 72

9.    Lott Hendron Meadows                                (1882 – 1939)  Age 56

10.  Ida Lois Meadows                                        (1886 – 1985)  Age 99

VI. Josephine Miranda Stacy wife of John Calvin Thomason

b.  April 10, 1843 Marthaville, Natchitoches Parrish,

m. September 19, 1864 Provencal, Natchitoches, LA to John Calvin Thomason

d.  December 15, 1894 Natchitoches, LA, Age 51

Find A Grave Memorial # 25456741

When Josephine Miranda Stacy was born on April 10, 1843, in Louisiana, her father, Alexander, was 45 and her mother, Marinda, was 26. She had seven sons and two daughters with John Calvin Thomason between 1866 and 1881. She died on December 15, 1894, in Provencal, Louisiana, at the age of 51, and was buried in Victoria, Louisiana.

Josephine was living in Natchitoches, Louisiana with her family when the 1850 and 1860 census were taken.

  

On September 19, 1864 21-year-old Josephine married John Calvin Thomason in Provencal, Natchitoches Parish. John was born May 2, 1837 in Fort Payne, De Kalb County, Alabama.

They settled in Natchitoches near her parents where they soon started a family. Their two eldest children “Bill” and Newton were born in Natchitoches Parish. Around 1868 the family moved to Texas where they settled near the San Antonio area.  Sometime before 1880 the family returned to Natchitoches Parish where the family was found when the federal census was taken. The 1880 census showed 30-year-old Josephine living with her husband John, a 43-year-old farmer and 8 children: William 14, Newton 12, Irma 10, Dee 9, Wallace 8, Virginia 6, Josie 4 and Charles 1. Also living with the family was a 12-year-old black female Milley Rinvan listed as a servant.

When the 1890 census was taken the family was living in Natchitoches Parish.  Although the census was mostly destroyed by a flood, the Census of Union Veterans and Widows of the Civil War schedule listed John C. Thomason, who fought for the south.

On December 15, 1894 Josephine died at Provencal, Natchitoches, Louisiana at the age of 51.  She was buried in the Stacy Cemetery in Victoria, Natchitoches, Louisiana. After her death John married a lady named Jane E around 1895.  She was with the family when the 1900 census was taken.  The census indicated she and John had been married 5 years.

Her husband John Calvin lived until 1928.  He was buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Natchitoches Parish.

Known children of Josephine Stacy and John Calvin Thomason are:

1.    William Zachariah “Bill” Thomason                               (1865 – 1929)  Age 63

2.    Newton Henry Thomason                                            (1867 – 1892)  Age 25

3.    Mary Oma Thomason McCallister Breedlove                 (1870 – 1918)  Age 48  

4.    Daniel Benjamin “Dee” Thomason                                (1872 – 1942)  Age 69

5.    Wallace A Thomason                                                 (1873 – 1881)  Age 8

6.    Laura Virginia “Jennie” Thomason Pridgen                    (1875 – 1928)  Age 53        

7.    Josephine Miranda Thomason Gilcrease                       (1877 – 1907)  Age 30

8.    Charles Milton Thomason                                            (1878 – 1966)  Age 87

9.    John Calvin Thomason Jr.                                            (1881 – 1896)  Age 15

10. Blueford Hancock Thomason                                         (1882 – 1925)  Age 42

Children of Alexander Franklin Stacy and Rebecca Hathcock

Four children are credited to this union:

I.   Martha Anne Stacy Gardner wife of Joseph William "Peter" Gardner     

b. June 10, 1822 Madison County, AL

m. February 16, 1838 Natchitoches Parrish, LA

d. February 7, 1882, Bigfoot, Frio County, TX, Age 59

Martha Anne Stacy, daughter of Alexander Stacy and Rebecca Hathcock, was born on June 10, 1822 in New Market, Madison County, Alabama.  When she was between 11 and 14 years old, her family moved to Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana.  She was 15 year old when she married Joseph William "Peter" Gardner on February 16, 1838 in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana.

In The Gardner Family, Tom Graham states that Joseph William Gardner known as "Peter" was born March 23, 1810 in Tennessee; the exact location and who his parents were are still unknown.

They couple settled near Marthasville, Louisiana near her family.  In 1851 her sister Elizabeth Jane married William Norwood Gates, they settled nearby as well. William was eligible for a 320 acre land bounty in Texas as result of his service in the Texas Revolution. In the fall of 1853 the Gates and the Gardner families packed up their belonging and moved to Atascosa County, Texas.

According to John Edmond Gardner, second son of Martha and Joe Gardner, there were two families with 5 children in each family. Their belongings were placed into a single wagon pulled by a “yoke of oxen whose names were Buck and Brandy.”

They arrived in Atascosa County in 1854 and settled a homestead.  They paid taxes in Atascosa County until 1860.  They were residents of Atascosa County when then 1860 census was taken.

In 1861 the family moved to “Old Frio Town” in Frio County where they engaged in ranching. According to Tom Graham, Joseph Gardner always had a homestead, but he was seldom there.  He and his older boys were running cattle on the open range.

Around 1865 the family moved to Guadalupe County, 15 miles south from Sequin in an area known as Sandies Country. It was there Joseph died September 13, 1869 in Sandies Creek, Texas at the age of 59. He was buried at Sandies Chapel Cemetery, Gonzales County Texas.

After Joseph’s death, Martha Anne returned to Frio Town. On August 23, 1870 when the federal census was taken, Martha and nine of her children were living in Frio County. She was still living in Frio County when the 1882 federal census was taken. Martha Ann died on February 7, 1882 in Bigfoot, Frio County, Texas. She was buried in Bigfoot Cemetery.

Children of Martha Anne Stacy and Joseph William Gardner are:

1.     Sarah Catherine Gardner King                       (1840 – after 1880)

2.     Alexander Franklin Gardner                           (1843 – 1923)

3.     John Edmund Gardner                                 (1845 – 1926) link to his life story 

4.     Rebecca J. Gardner                                    (1847 – 1852)

5.     Mary Elizabeth Gardner Heathcock                (1849 – 1917) 

6.     Joseph William "Peter" Gardner                      (1851 – 1942) link to his bio

7.     Nancy Jane Gardner Frazier Stephenson Butler (1853 – 1898)

8.     Thomas Henry Gardner                                (1856 – 1924)

9.     Martha Josephine Gardner Glenn                   (1858 – 1912)

10.   Charles Alfred Gardner                                 (1861 – 1952)

11.   James Willis Gardner                                    (1863 – about 1882)

12.   Priscilla Anne Amanda Gardner Ridgeway         (1865 – 1940) 

II.  Elizabeth Jane Stacy Gates wife of William Norwood Gates     

b. September 20, 1824 Madison County, AL

m. February 18, 1841 Natchitoches Parrish, LA

d. November 26, 1882 Atascosa County, TX, Age 58

Elizabeth Jane Stacy, daughter of Alexander Stacy and Rebecca Hathcock, was born on September 20 1824 in New Market, Madison County, Alabama.  When she was between 9 and 12 years old, her family moved to Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana.  

She was 17 years old when she married William Norwood Gates on February 18, 1841 in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana. William was born February 20, 1818 in Jackson, Tennessee, the son of Martha Jane Hampton and John Valentine Gates. They couple settled near Marthasville, Louisiana near her family. 

The family bible lists two children born in Louisiana who failed to reach adulthood; John on January 14th, 1842 and Sarah Ann on December 16th, 1842. These children must have died young as there is no record of them in the 1850 census. Perhaps these babies were stillborn; the date of death was not listed.

Their daughter Lavana Ann is said to have been born in Arkansas on January 1st, 1844. This is the only known record of the family being in Arkansas.  The purpose and duration of the stay are unknown. After her birth the family returned to Natchitoches where four additional children were born, Alexander Franklin in 1846, James Valentine in 1848, Martha Emaline in 1851 and John Columbus in April 1853.

In December 1848, William purchased 40 acres at 1.25 an acre in Natchitoches Parish.  On September 1, 1849 he was issued the patent for the SW quarter of the SW quarter of Section 21, Township 9N, Range 10W in Natchitoches, Louisiana (certificate 4729).

In November 1850 when the Federal census was taken, the Gates family was living in Natchitoches Parrish. The family was enumerated as follows: William 30 born in Alabama, occupation farmer, $200 real estate, with Levina 26 born in Alabama, Elizabeth 6, Alex 4, Jas 2 all born in Louisiana. (The enumerated switched the first names of Elizabeth and her daughter Lavana.)  Also listed with the family were the three eldest children of William’s sister Francis Caroline Gates Sanders, Eudora 10, Erby 7 & Salina 5.

As a veteran of the Texas war of Independence, William was entitled to claim 320 acres of Texas land. He was issued bounty certificate #179 on January 5, 1847. This vast amount of free land called to him; he probably discussed the possibilities that waited in Texas with his brother-in-law Joe Gardner. In 1853, the Gates and Gardner families packed up their belonging and moved to Atascosa County, Texas.

John Columbus Gates was born on April 22nd, 1853 in Natchitoches. Family tradition has the family in Goliad County, Texas before September 3, 1853 the birth date of Nancy Jane Gardner. They spent the winter in Goliad County before moving on to Atascosa County.

According to John Edmond Gardner, second son of Martha and Joe Gardner, there were two families with 5 children in each family. Their belongings were placed into a single covered wagon pulled by a team of yoke of oxen. Lavana Gates Williams was ten years old at that time. She said that her mother Jane was in "delicate" health and was sick in bed all the way to Texas. Her mother had just recently given birth to her brother John. Lavana had to care for her sick mother, her younger siblings and help with the cooking as well.

“Grandpa Gates sold the home in Louisiana and everything he owned there and loaded up his family in a covered wagon and got to Texas Oct. 4, 1854”. Lavana said the Gates family had a nice home in Louisiana and at the time of her birth had some slaves, as she talked about her Negro "mammy" and how much she loved her. A search of the slave schedule for the 1850 federal census didn’t find William listed as a slave holder.

On Oct. 4th, 1854, the family settled in Atascosa County. William built a home and settled his growing family on the land he chose in Texas, in exchange for his bounty certificate. Tax records for Atascosa County show Wm N Gates paid taxes in 1857 for 160 acres of land, 2 horses and a pair of oxen – an estate valued at $380 dollars. The Atascosa County tax records show William and Jane’s personal wealth (land, horses, cattle and other miscellaneous taxable item) steadily increasing.  Their tax base peaked in 1884 when their estate was valued at $3110.  Compared to many of their neighbors, the Gates family was well off.  He likely owned land and property in other Texas Counties.  Tax records show William and Jane did not own slaves.

            Land     Horses    Cattle       Total

 Year     acres       qty        qty         Value

1857       160          2          -         $   380  

1867       160        22        140        $ 2018  

1878       480        50          20        $ 2160

1884      1120        40          30        $ 3110

1887       960        20          20        $ 2010

1897       317        11            9        $   985

The area where they settled was called Gates Valley. William owned the first store and Post Office in Gates Valley. When the railroad came through, a town was formed and the name was changed from Gates Valley to Poteet. William and Jane donated land for the first school and church in the community; known as the "Gates Valley Public School” and "Gates Valley Baptist Church."

William was elected sheriff of Atascosa County Aug. 4, 1862 and served two terms. He was served on the first Grand Jury in that county. He was one of the first County Commissioners of Atascosa County an office he held for many terms.

After moving to Texas the family continued to grow as well: Mary Jane 1855, Nancy Caroline 1858, William Wright 1861, Edmond Jackson 1864 and Mason Witton Elizabeth in 1867. All of the children were educated and were literate.  In 1860 census indicated that their mother Elizabeth Jane was not. The 1870 census indicated that both parents were illiterate, but this must not have been true for William, as the Texas BLM record contains a hand written note where William describes his military service during the Texas Revolution.

On November 26, 1882 Elizabeth Jane Gates died in Gates Valley, Texas at the age of 58. Her beloved husband William was left behind.  William remained in Gates Valley where he on September 19, 1903 he died of bronchitis. Elizabeth Jane Stacy and William Norwood Gates are buried in Shiloh Cemetery, Gates Valley, Texas.

Children of Elizabeth Jane Stacy and William Norwood Gates are:

1.     John Gates                                               (1842 – bef. 1850)

2.     Sarah Ann Gates                                       (1842 – bef. 1850)

3.     Lavana Ann Gates Williams Cockrell               (1844 – 1921)

4.     Alexander Franklin Gates                             (1846 – 1918) my 2^nd great grandfather

5.     James Valentine Gates                                (1848 – 1907)

6.     Martha Emaline Gates Rutledge                     (1851 – 1921)

7.     John Columbus Gates                                  (1853 – 1939)

8.     Mary Jane Gates Wilkins                              (1855 – 1924)

9.     Nancy Caroline Gates Petty                         (1858 – 1940)

10.   William Wright Gates                                   (1861 – 1952)

11.   Edmond Jackson Gates                                (1864 – 1913)

12.   Mason Whitton Elizabeth Gates Pickett Gates  (1867 – 1894)

III.   Mary Etter Stacy – died young

b. 06 Mar 1827  AL or TN

d. 20 Jul 1830   probably in Hardeman, TN

IV.   Sarah Katherine Stacy – died young

b. 22 Mar 1829  AL or TN

d. 23 May 1830  probably in Hardeman, TN