Birth: Feb. 20, 1818 Jackson, Tennessee
Death: Sep. 19, 1903 Atascosa County, Texas
Married (1) Elizabeth Jane "Jane" Stacy on Feb. 18, 1841 in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana
(2) Mary Jane "Mollie" Petty on Dec. 27, 1883 in Atascosa County, Texas
Death: Sep. 19, 1903 Atascosa County, Texas
Married (1) Elizabeth Jane "Jane" Stacy on Feb. 18, 1841 in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana
(2) Mary Jane "Mollie" Petty on Dec. 27, 1883 in Atascosa County, Texas
William Norwood Gates, affectionately known as Billy by his family and friend, was my paternal 3rd great grandfather. He married Elizabeth Jane Stacy and they had six sons and six daughters together between 1842 and 1867. He died on September 19, 1903, in Atascosa County, Texas, having lived a long life of 85 years, and was buried in Lytle, Texas.
Most of the settler's time was devoted to raising or making goods necessary to survive; most farmers worked simply to supply the food needs of their families. Income could be made from selling certain “cash crops” such as cotton and tobacco. Tennessee farmers also converted corn, into meal, whiskey, or (by feeding it to hogs) cured pork
The raw frontier settlement at Jackson was named the county seat in 1921, but Billy's family was not there to witness the event. Sometime between 1818 and 1820 the Gates family moved to Russellville, Alabama.
The raw frontier settlement at Jackson was named the county seat in 1921, but Billy's family was not there to witness the event. Sometime between 1818 and 1820 the Gates family moved to Russellville, Alabama.
When the Napoleonic Wars ended in 1815, swelling crop yields in Europe reduced the demand for American farm products. Prices plunged. Sales of public lands plummeted. People were forced off their farms and out of their homes due to bank failures and foreclosures. Prisons became overcrowded with debtors who were locked up after failing to pay their bills. It was during this time that the Gates family moved to Russellville where many of their extended family were residents.
Russellville is located in Franklin County in the northwestern part of the state. It was once was home by several Indian Tribes, including the Chickasaws, Creeks and Cherokees. The county was established by the Alabama Territorial legislature in 1818 following the Cherokee and Chickasaw Cession of 1816. At that time there were only two towns in the county, Russellville and Big Springs (now known as Tuscumbia). Russellville was named the first county seat.
The County is noted for the fertility of its soils; native trees include oak, dogwood, chestnut hickory, black locust, cedar, walnut and cherry. Principal crops include corn, cotton, wheat, oats, rye, tobacco, sorghum, potatoes and the usual field crops. Early farmers also engaged in wool production for their cash crop.
1820 census — Although the 1820 Federal census for Alabama was lost, the 1820 Alabama state census for Franklin County exists. It documents that John Gates and his extended family were living in Franklin County. Six Gates families were listed on the Census:
Gates, Bartholomew — 1,1,1,1,0,0,4
Gates, John — 1,2,1,2,0,0,6
Gates, Phillip — 1,0,1,1,0,0,3
Gates, Phillip — 1,1,1,5,0,0,8
Gates, Valentine — 1,2,1,3,0,0,7
Gates, Wm — 1,0,1,1,0,0,3
Billy's family (John Gates) was enumerated as follows: (names and ages added by author)
Males > 21 1 John 32
Males < 21 2 John Hampton 4, William Norwood 2
Female > 21 1 Martha Jane 31
Females < 21 2 Mary Ann 7, Martha Polly 6
Free people of color 0Slaves 0
Total 6
Missouri Compromise of 1820 — Slavery had become a very divisive issue. Representatives of the North looked to prevent pro-slavery regions from gaining statehood, while many Southerners sought to expand the slave trade further west. In 1820 the Missouri Compromise was passed by Congress. In this agreement, Missouri was granted statehood with slavery declared legal within its borders. But as a trade-off, Maine joined the Union as a free state, and slavery was forbidden in all other land north of the 36°30' parallel. Even though Billy and his father were southern gentlemen, the slave schedules on the above census records to not show the family as owning slaves.
Childhood — Work and education shaped Billy's childhood. Society expected children to help with basic cooking, cleaning, farming, or any other task that needed doing. Billy had many siblings to help with the chores:
Name Birth
Martha Polly (Dean) 1814 GA
Joseph Hampton 1816 TN
Mary Ann(Hawkins) 1817 TN
William Norwood 1818 TN
Francis Caroline(Sanders) 1820 AL
Bartholomew James 1823 AL
Abner Valentine 1825 AL
John, Jr. 1827 AL
Samuel 1830 AL
Sarah 1831 TX
Susan 1833 TX
Martha Emaline(Parsons) 1837 LA
It appears that Billy's family valued education. Even though the family lived in frontier settlements during much of their formative years, later census records indicate that the children were literate. Billy probably attended a one-room schoolhouse which was common in small towns.
The immigration paperwork for John Gates stated the family migrated to Texas in 1829. As a resident of Mexico, John Gates was not listed on the 1830 US census. However Billy's brother Samuel, born Aug. 30th, 1830 would list his birth location as Alabama. It is possible that Jane stayed behind with family and migrated to Texas after the birth of Samuel.
Billy's father John farmed his land. According to the "Guide to Texas Emigrants", the crops most congenial to the soil and climate in Vehlein's grant were sugar, cotton, indigo, rice, tobacco, oranges, lemons, grapes, olives, prunes, figs, wheat, oats, barley, and Indian corn. Wild honey was plentiful and native grapes were cultivated. Many settlers also raised animal stock including horses, mules, cattle, hogs, and sheep.
As immigrants to Mexico, the Gates family was required to "convert" to Catholicism. It is likely the family was also learning Spanish, the official language of Mexican Texas.
Gates, John Farmer 47
Gates, Jane Wife 46Gates, Hampton Son 19
Gates, William Son 17
Gates, Fanny Daughter 15
Gates, James Son 12
Gates, Valentine Son 10
Gates, John, Jr. Son 8
Gates, Samuel Son 6
Gates, Sarah Daughter 4
Gates, Susan Daughter 2
Texas Revolution — In 1832, General Antonio
Lopez de Santa Anna, became Mexico's president. Colonists hoped he would make
Texas a self-governing state within the Mexican republic. But once in power,
Santa Anna overthrew Mexico's constitutional government, and made himself
dictator.
Santa Anna ordered the
Mexican military to begin disarming the Texans. Open warfare began on October
2, 1835, with the Battle of Gonzales. Mexican soldiers attempting to take a small
cannon from the village of Gonzales encountered stiff resistance from a hastily
assembled militia of Texans. After a brief fight, the Mexicans retreated and
the Texans kept their cannon.
The Mexican soldiers
retreated to their garrison in San Antonio followed by angry colonists who laid
siege to the town. For nearly 2 months the Texas volunteers camped outside the
town. When Col. Ben Milam learned the volunteers planned to withdraw to Goliad he
appealed to the Texans “Who will go with old Ben Milam into San Antonio?”
17-year-old Billy Gates was among the
300 volunteers who attack the town at daybreak on December 5th. After
a bloody five-day, house-to-house fight, Mexican General Cos surrendered the
town and the public property it held. During the Siege of Bexar the Texans lost four including Ben Milan who was killed by a sniper on Dec. 7th. According to his application for Veteran Land Bounty, Billy served from October 1835 until January 1836 when he returned to his home in East Texas. He described his service as follows:
Courtesy of the Texas General Land Office (GLO) |
“I was at San Antonio with Col. Milum when he fel and then after whiping Coss out of the Alamo I returnd home I belonged to Baly Anderson Company I got home in January 36 I was in the battle of San Antonio yours truly, W.N. Gates ...”
After losing San Antonio to the Texans, General Santa Anna was determined to retake the city. The Mexican army arrived in San Antonio in February 1836. On March 6th after a 13-day siege, the Mexicans storm the Alamo. During the battle, all of the Texan defenders were killed.
On a second front, Santa Anna sent General José Urrea marching north along the coast of Texas. On March 20th, the Mexican Army overwhelmed the Texans during the Battle of Goliad. Believing that they would be eventually paroled, 400 Texans surrendered. They were escorted back to Goliad as prisoners. When news of their capture reached Santa Anna, he sent orders to execute the Goliad prisoners. On Palm Sunday, the 27th of March, the prisoners were divided into three groups, marched onto open prairie, and shot.
The news of the Battle of the Alamo and the Goliad massacre instilled fear in the population and resulted in the mass exodus of the civilian population. According to the Texas State Handbook, the area around Nacogdoches and San Augustine where the Gates family lived was abandoned just prior to April 13th, 1836. The Gates family fled to Louisiana. Billy's father John must not have lost everything in Texas; on Feb. 5, 1839 he purchased 160 acres of land in Natchitoches Parish for $199.90.
Natchitoches, Louisiana — Natchitoches (pronounced Nack-A-Tish) is located in Central Louisiana adjacent to I-49. Its largest claim to fame is being the location for the filming of the movie Steel Magnolias. It sits along the historic El Camino Real trail, a hard beaten path that ran from the banks of the Red River in Louisiana to San Antonio connecting settlements along its path. Natchitoches is the oldest permanent settlement in Louisiana.
Natchitoches was the center of Creole plantation homes that flourished along the Cane River. Large plantation owners used slave labor to cultivate cotton. Other cash crops were tobacco, sugar cane and indigo. We don't know what John and his sons grew on their farm land, but it is doubtful it was cotton plantation; there is no record of the Gates family owning slaves.
Land records for Billy's father John show the family was living in Natchitoches parish as early as 1839. But the family was not found on the 1840 Federal Census for Natchitoches Parish. Billy's father John died sometime between 1837 and 1842. Billy's mother Martha married James Maxwell sometime before December 1842. Sometime before 1850 the Maxwell's moved to Texas.
Feb. 18th, 1841, Billy, age 23, married 17 year old Elizabeth Jane Stacy. Jane, as she was called by her family, was the daughter of Rebecca Hathcock and Alexander Franklin Stacy. She was born in New Market, Alabama and moved to Natchitoches Parish with her family around 1835.
Billy and Jane homesteaded 80 acres of Louisiana wilderness near Marthaville, (about 20 miles west of Natchitoches). They purchased the land for $1.25 an acre. The sale for the first 40 acres was recorded on Dec. 4th, 1848, and the second 40 acre parcel was recorded on Feb. 16, 1854. Billy was the first recorded land owner in both sections. His ownership predates the Rains family who are credited with founding the town of Marthaville in 1851. The first school in Marthaville was built in 1853 and the post office opened in 1855.
Louisiana Land Patents
Name
|
Date
|
Doc #
|
Meridian
|
Twp Range
|
Aliquots
|
Section
|
County
|
GATES, WILLIAM N
|
9/1/1849
|
4729
|
Louisiana
|
009N - 010W
|
SW¼SW¼
|
21
|
Natchitoches
|
GATES, WILLIAM N
|
9/15/1854
|
10268
|
Louisiana
|
009N - 009W
|
SE¼SE¼
|
5
|
Natchitoches
|
Jane and Billy started a family. The two first born children John born in Jan. 1842 and Sarah Ann born in Dec. 1842 died young. According to census records, in January 1844 their daughter Lavana was born in Arkansas. 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 (named after his maternal grandfather) in 1846, James Valentine in 1848, Martha Emaline in 1851 and John Columbus in April 1853.
Courtesy of the Texas GLO |
According to their daughter Lavana, the family had a nice home in Louisiana and owned slaves. She told her descendants about her Negro "mammy" and how much she loved her. A search of the 1850 US census Slave Schedule failed to find Billy listed as a slave owner. Natchitoches had a sizable free black population; it is likely "mammy" was an emancipated black working for wages.
As a veteran of the Texas war of Independence, Billy was entitled to claim 320 acres of Texas land. On January 5, 1847, Billy was issued bounty certificate #179. As he wasn't ready to leave Louisiana, he decided to sell the claim to Robert Hodge. The sale was made prior to August 1851.
1850 census — On November 13th, 1850 when the Federal census was taken, the Gates family was living in Natchitoches Parrish. The three eldest children of Billy’s sister Francis Caroline Gates Sanders, namely nieces Eudora, and Salina, and nephew Erby were living with Billy and Jane. The family was enumerated as follows: (Note: enumerator switched the given names of Elizabeth and daughter Lavana)
1850 US Census, Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana
Household
|
Sex
|
Age
|
Birthplace
|
Occupation
|
Real Estate
|
Attended School?
|
Over 20
can’t read/write
|
William Gates
|
M
|
30
|
Alabama
|
Farmer
|
$200
| ||
Levina Gates
|
F
|
26
|
Alabama
|
x
| |||
Elizabeth Gates
|
F
|
6
|
Arkansas
|
x
| |||
Alex Gates
|
M
|
4
|
Louisiana
| ||||
Jas Gates
|
M
|
2
|
Louisiana
| ||||
Algora Sanders
|
F
|
10
|
Louisiana
|
x
| |||
Urba Sanders
|
M
|
7
|
Louisiana
|
x
| |||
Salina Sanders
|
F
|
5
|
Louisiana
|
Billy's sister Lavana was around ten when the families made the journey. According to Lavana her father sold his home and property in Louisiana. He loaded his supplies and family in a covered wagon and headed to Texas. They arrived in Atascosa County Oct. 4, 1854. Their mother Jane was always in "delicate" health and was sick in bed all the way to Texas. Jane had recently given birth to son John Columbus born April 1853 in Natchitoches. Niece Nancy Jane Gardner was born in Goliad County, Texas on September 3rd. Family tradition states the families spent the winter in Goliad County before moving on.
Atascosa County, Texas — On Oct. 4th, 1854, the 420 mile journey was complete; the family settled in then Bexar County south of San Antonio. With the exception of a few old Hispanic farms and ranches, the land was Texas wilderness. The area was covered by cactus, grasses, thorny shrubs, mesquite and oak trees. Wildlife was abundant; white-tailed deer, javelina, turkey, squirrels, jackrabbits, foxes, ring-tailed cats, skunks, and opossum. Ducks, cranes, and geese migrated across the county. Billy's brother Abner Valentine Gates also settled nearby. The settlement was called Gates Valley and is near the present day town of Poteet. Other settlers of Gates Valley were the Rutledge, Gardner, and Williams families.
Courtesy of the Texas GLO |
Billy built a home and settled his growing family on the land he chose to homestead. Since Texas was a republic prior to joining the United States, the unclaimed land was owned by the State of Texas. In 1854, the State legislature amended the Texas Preemption Act to allow settlers to claim a 160 acre parcel of land for free, this was at a time when land in other states was going for $1.25 an acre. Billy claimed 160 acres along Palo Alto creek. According to the Pleasanton Express About Oldtimers of Atascosa County dated April 12, 1961, "Uncle Billy chose that site because of the natural water supply and because it was a very pretty valley..."
Courtesy of the Texas GLO |
• had a 160 acre parcel surveyed of April 23rd, 1855
• had resided and cultivated the tract for 3 consecutive years
After moving to Texas the family continued to grow as well: Mary Jane born in 1855, Nancy Caroline in 1858, William Wright in 1861, Edmond Jackson in 1864 and Mason Elizabeth in 1867. Billy and Jane ensured their children were educated. Family tradition is that Billy and Jane donated land for the "Gates Valley Public School” and the "Gates Valley Baptist Church."
Gates Valley was originally part of Bexar County. In 1855 "W. N. Gates" and around a hundred of his neighbors petitioned the Texas legislature for the creation of a separate County. In 1856 the land separated from Bexar to the newly created Atascosa County. In the spring of 1857 "William Gates" was among the 16 men appointed to the first Grand Jury of Atascosa County. Tradition has it the first session was held under a live oak tree as the courthouse had yet to be built. New settlers continued to trickle in, but the threat of Indian attack, poor roads, and the area's general isolation kept the population low.
Billy paid taxes in Atascosa County. The first year found was 1857 when his assets were listed as 160 acres valued at $120, 2 horses worth $120, Oxen worth $140. His assets totaled $380 and did not include any slaves.
Billy and his siblings pursued obtaining benefits their father would have been entitled too if he had lived. They petitioned the Texas State Legislature for assistance in obtaining these rights. On February 3rd, 1860 "An Act for the Relief of the Heirs of John Gates" was enacted into law which authorized the heirs (namely W.N. Gates, A.V. Gates, Mary Hawkins, Avarilla Gates, Caroline Sanders, and Joseph Gates) to patent one league (4428.4 acres) of land. They were able to obtain the following land patents:
Grantee Patentee Patent Date Acres County File Patent Class
1860 census — On August 14th, 1860, six years after arriving in Atascosa County, a record of the family was captured in the 1860 census.
United States Census, 1860 for Atascosa County, Texas
Household
|
Sex
|
Age
|
Birthplace
|
Occupation
|
Real Estate
Personal Estate
|
Attended School?
|
Over 20 & can’t read/write
|
W N Gates
|
M
|
42
|
Tennessee
|
Farmer
|
$320 / $660
| ||
Elizabeth Gates
|
F
|
36
|
Alabama
|
x
| |||
A F Gates
|
M
|
14
|
Louisiana
|
x
| |||
James Gates
|
M
|
12
|
Louisiana
|
x
| |||
Martha E Gates
|
F
|
10
|
Louisiana
|
x
| |||
John C Gates
|
M
|
8
|
Louisiana
|
x
| |||
Mary J Gates
|
F
|
4
|
Texas
| ||||
Nancy J Gates
|
F
|
2
|
Texas
|
Picture found at Longhorn Museum Pleasanton Texas |
The agriculture scheduled stated W.N. Gates owned 300 acres of land (22 acres improved) worth $320, $10 worth of agriculture equipment. The livestock valued at $888 were listed as 10 horses, 0 mules, 16 milk cows, 2 oxen, 32 other cattle, 0 sheep, and 80 pigs.
Billy was elected the fourth sheriff of Atascosa County August 4, 1862 and served two terms during the civil war. He was replaced in 1864 when he served as a County Commissioner. He was later reelected as the sixth sheriff and served during reconstruction (1865 - 1866). In August 1866 W.N. Gates was elected County Commissioner. Billy served as a County commissioner for many years including 1876, 1883.
Billy was a cattleman; a profession he passed down to his descendants for many generations. In the 1860's, rancher was the leading occupation for the county. Atascosa County was full of free grazing land; wild mustangs and longhorn cattle roamed the grass lands waiting for an enterprising man to claim them by burning his brand on their flesh.
William Norwood Gates' brand and ear marks |
Great-grandson Terrell Franklin Gates wrote that Billy "was an extensive landholder who owned great herds of cattle and horses which roamed the prairies and grazing lands from a few miles south of the city of San Antonio to the Rio Grande River bordering Mexico. It is alleged that thieving bands of Mexicans stole his livestock between the years 1868 to 1878 and drove them to Mexico. This loss was estimated at $35,000 to him at a value of $10 per head on cattle."
Tax records for Atascosa County show Billy and Jane’s personal wealth (land, horses, cattle and other miscellaneous taxable item) were 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. (Texas, Country Tax Rolls, 1846-1910" at FamilySearch)
Land Horses Cattle Total
Year acres qty qty Value Other if listed
1857 160 2 - $ 380 2 oxen
1858 160 2 - $ 320 2 oxen
1859 160 6 30 $ 320 2 oxen, 55 hogs
1860 160 7 40 $ 720
1861 320 10 70 $ 1,010
1864 320 ? ? $ 1,870
1866 160 19 120 $ 1,710
1867 160 22 140 $ 2,018 13 sheep
1868 160 29 175 $ 2,395
1869 160 22 208 $ 1,674
1870 160 18 210 $ 1,575
1871 320 25 452 $ 2,940
1873 320 30 200 $ 1,867 10 sheep
1876 320 53 12 $ 2,335 75 goats/hogs
1877 320 50 17 $ 1,835 40 hogs
1878 480 50 20 $ 2,160
1879 480 28 15 $ 1,180 25 hogs
1880 480 40 22 $ 1,215 30 hogs
1881 480 30 30 $ 985 30 hogs
1882 480 30 25 $ 1,222 30 hogs
1883 480 40 30 $ 1,875 25 hogs
1884 1120 40 30 $ 3,110
1885 1120 16 16 $ 2,715 75 hogs
1886 960 20 20 $ 2,080 30 hogs
1887 960 20 20 $ 2,010
1888 960 20 20 $ 1,999 7 hogs
1889 960 20 20 $ 1,982 12 hogs
1890 320 20 12 $ 1,022 12 hogs
1891 620 15 25 $ 1,074 8 hogs
1892 319 18 20 $ 1,250 13 hogs
1893 319 15 25 $ 1,277 5 hogs
1894 319 4 7 $ 570
1895 319 10 10 $ 1,090 20 hogs
1896 319 12 9 $ 1,090 14 hogs
1897 317 11 9 $ 985
Billy and Jane were faithful members of the Masonic Temple and Eastern Star. Billy was a charter member of Pleasanton Lodge No. 283 which was chartered on July 30th, 1866. He served in a variety of offices. An ad in the Western Stock Journal in 1874 lists W.N. Gates as the W.M. (Worshipful Master) of Pleasanton Lodge No. 283.
Courtesy of Atascosa County Chronicles |
Billy was also a member of Atascosa Lodge No. 379. The Lodge was organized by eleven Master Masons in Benton City in 1872 and chartered June 9, 1873. The Lodge met at the second floor of the Benton City Institute, a stone building built in 1875 which housed the Benton City Normal Institute.
Billy is believed to be number 13 on this picture dated 1881 from the Atascosa County Chronicles blog. My 2nd great grandfather Alexander Franklin Gates is number 11, and my great grandfather Eli Fount Gates is possibly number 22.
1870 census — On June 18th, 1870 the family was enumerated on the US Census as a resident in Atascosa County, Mottomosa Post office.
United States Census, 1870 for Atascosa County, Texas
Real Estate
|
Attended
|
Can’t
|
||||||
Household
|
Sex
|
Age
|
Birthplace
|
Occupation
|
Personal Estate
|
School? | read | write |
Gates, W N | M | 52 | Tennessee | Stockraiser |
$80 / $2000
|
|||
Gates, E. J. | F | 46 | Alabama | keep'g house | ||||
Gates, J.C. | M | 17 | Louisiana | at home | x | |||
Gates, Mary J | F | 15 | Texas | at home | x | |||
Gates, Nancy C | F | 13 | Texas | at home | x | |||
Gates, W.R | M | 9 | Texas | at home | x | x | ||
Gates, John E | M | 7 | Texas | at home | x | x | x | |
Gates, M.C.E. | F | 3 | Texas | at home | x | x |
Courtesy of the Texas GLO |
The agriculture scheduled stated W.N. Gates owned 160 acres of land (3 acres under cultivation) worth $150 and $40 worth of farm equipment. He paid wages of $60 for the prior years farm help. His livestock valued at $1800 included 80 horses, 30 milk cows, 2 oxen, 150 other cattle, and 80 pigs. His field crops included Indian corn.
In August 1870, the Texas Legislature passed legislation to provide an annual $250 pension for veterans of the Texas Revolution. Billy successfully applied for the pension in September 1874.
The post office of Mottomosa which opened in 1866 was discontinued in September 1875. In January 1876 the Gates Valley post office was opened with William N Gates as the postmaster. After a few changes in post masters, the office was closed in February 1880. In 1881 an application was made to reopen the Mottomosa post office. The person filing out the application wrote Ditto instead of putting ditto marks. Washington approved the application and opened the post office under the name Ditto. The post office and the community continued under the name of Ditto until 1918.
The great Texas cattle drives started after the Civil War. Between 1875 and 1885, Texas ranchers drove more than three million cattle north to the railroads in Kansas. It is likely that Billy's cattle made their way north in a trail herd. Livestock from several different owners were included in a trail herd. The trail boss obtained documentation from each rancher noting the owner's brand, earmark and number of cattle. The era of the cattle drives stopped when the railroads made their way into western Texas.
In 1877, ranchers formed the Northwest Texas Cattle Raisers' Association with goals to improve the "spring work" and to curb cattle rustling. In 1883 an inspection system was inaugurated; inspectors were located along the trails, at shipping points, and at terminal markets. This practice resulted in recovering many cattle that by accident or design got into herds in which they did not belong. It is likely that Billy was a member.
The great Texas cattle drives started after the Civil War. Between 1875 and 1885, Texas ranchers drove more than three million cattle north to the railroads in Kansas. It is likely that Billy's cattle made their way north in a trail herd. Livestock from several different owners were included in a trail herd. The trail boss obtained documentation from each rancher noting the owner's brand, earmark and number of cattle. The era of the cattle drives stopped when the railroads made their way into western Texas.
In 1877, ranchers formed the Northwest Texas Cattle Raisers' Association with goals to improve the "spring work" and to curb cattle rustling. In 1883 an inspection system was inaugurated; inspectors were located along the trails, at shipping points, and at terminal markets. This practice resulted in recovering many cattle that by accident or design got into herds in which they did not belong. It is likely that Billy was a member.
1880 census — On June 6th, 1880 the family was enumerated on the US Census as a resident in Atascosa County, in Precinct 2.
United States Census, 1880 for Atascosa County, Texas
Attended
|
||||||
Household
|
Sex
|
Age
|
Birthplace
|
Occupation
|
Health Issues
|
School? |
Gates, William N | M | 62 | Tennessee | Farmer | ||
Gates, Elisabeth J | F | 55 | Alabama | Keep'g house | Bronchitis | |
Gates, William W | M | 19 | Texas | Farm labor | ||
Gates, Enoch J | M | 17 | Texas | at home | Kicked by horse | x |
Gates, M.C.E. | F | 13 | Texas | at home |
The agriculture scheduled stated W.N. Gates owned 480 acres of land (60 acres under cultivation) worth $700. Billy's farm production for the previous year was estimated at $450. His livestock valued at $572 were listed as 40 horses, 2 mules, 2 oxen, 12 milk cows, 32 other cattle, 40 pigs and 40 chickens. His field crops included 40 acres of Indian corn and 18 acres of peas and beans.
On November 26, 1882, Billy's beloved wife Jane died at the age of 58. She was buried in Shiloh cemetery in the nearby community of Shiloh (now a ghost town).
Courtesy of the Texas GLO |
In October 1881, W.N. Gates hired an Austin Law firm to obtain his certificate; he also authorized them to sell the certificate for 25% of the profits. In February 1883, he was issued Veteran Donation certificate 1008 which was sold for $500. A land patent for certificate 1008 was issued Jan. 27th, 1891 to Gunter & Munson for 1132 acres in Hutchinson County.
After spending 2 years alone after the death of his first wife Billy decided to marry again. On December 27th, 1884 Mr. William N Gates married Miss Mary Jane Petty in Atascosa County. Although there were several Petty families living nearby her parentage is unknown. Mary Jane died sometime prior to the 1900 US Census. The location of her grave is unknown.
Gates Cafe in Poteet
(courtesy of Atascosa County Historical Commission)
|
In 1882 the first railroad station was opened in the northern corner of Atascosa County. A town grew up around the depot which was named after John T. Lytle, a local rancher and trail driver. When a post office was granted in 1883, it was named for the train stop. Soon the town of Lytle had a general store, a bar, and a casket maker. In 1884 it had a population of fifty, a union church, a district school, a hotel, and a physician. By 1892 the community had a population of 100, four general stores, a gin, two livestock breeders, and a Methodist church.
The area experienced a drought of the late 1880's caused many big cattlemen to "Go broke" and put area farm families on the road as migrant workers. Billy was able to survive the downturn.
As the turn on the century approached, the majority of Americans like Billy were farmers who lived in or near small agricultural based towns. The lack of radio and television led them to seek contact with their friends and neighbors in churches, grange halls and other civic organizations. As Billy's health began to fail he was unable to attend his lodge meetings regularly.
1900 census — On June 12th, 1900 when the 1900 federal census was taken, Billy was listed as father living with his son Wright and his family in Precinct 6 in Atascosa County.
United States Census, 1900 for Atascosa County, Texas
Marital | Can | Can | |||||||
Household
|
Relation
|
Sex
|
DOB |
Age
|
Status | Read | Write | ||
Gates, Wright | Head | M | Jan 1861 | 39 | M | Texas | Farmer | y | y |
Gates, Laura | Wife | F | Mar 1865 | 35 | M | Texas | y | y | |
Gates, Bullah | Daughter | F | May 1889 | 11 | S | Texas | At school | y | y |
Gates, Rubby | Daughter | F | Jun 1891 | 8 | S | Texas | |||
Gates, Carrol | Son | M | Aug 1894 | 5 | S | Texas | |||
Williams, Ansy | Lodger | M | Feb 1864 | 36 | S | Texas | Jockey | y | y |
William, Ples M | Lodger | M | July 1871 | 28 | S | Texas | Day laborer | y | y |
Gates, William | Father | M | Feb 1818 | 62 | Wd | Tennessee | y | y |
Death — On September 19, 1903, Billy died in Somerset, Texas of bronchitis. Billy (William Norwood Gates) was buried next to his beloved wife Jane, Elizabeth Jane Stacy in Shiloh Cemetery, Gates Valley, Texas.
Death certificate |
Birth | Death | |||
1
|
John Gates | 1841 | bef. 1850 | |
2
|
Sarah Ann Gates | 1842 | bef. 1850 | |
Lavana Ann Gates Williams Cockrell | 1844 | 1921 | ||
4
|
Alexander Franklin Gates | 1846 | 1918 | my 2nd great grandfather |
5
|
James Valentine Gates | 1848 | 1907 | |
Martha Emaline Gates Rutledge | 1851 | 1921 | ||
7
|
John Columbus Gates | 1853 | 1939 | |
8
|
Mary Jane Gates Wilkins | 1855 | 1924 | |
Nancy Caroline Gates Petty | 1858 | 1940 | ||
10
|
William Wright Gates | 1861 | 1952 | |
11
|
Edmond Jackson Gates | 1864 | 1913 | |
Mason Elizabeth Gates Pickett Gates | 1867 | 1894 |
Enjoyed your article. William Norwood Gates was my 3rd great grandfather. I am a descendent through Mary Jane Gates and her husband William Martin Wilkins on my maternal side.
ReplyDeleteAny one ever hear of a Amos Moses Gates ?
ReplyDeleteI have an extensive tree for the Gates family and I don't have an Amos Gates
DeleteThere was an Amos Gates born 1799in Kentucky to William John Gated and Catherine HIDING. Eventually William John and his family moved to Texas with Stephen F Austin. Amos Gates married a Kuykendall woman. He died in Washington County Texas in 1883.
DeleteEnjoyed your article of our family. William Norwood Gates is my 2nd Great Grandfather... through his son William Wright Gates and then his son Carrol Applewhite Gates. Thanks Tom Gates Friendswood, Tex.
ReplyDeleteWm Norwood Gates is also my 2nd great grandfather, but through his daughter Mary Jane Gates Wilkins, then through Mason Katherine Wilkins Lann. - Betty Nelson Means, Seattle
DeleteI just stumbled on to your article. Very interesting. "Grandpa" Billy was my 2nd great grandfather through his son Alexander Franklin Gates through his son Ellis Franklin Gates through his daughter Mary Elizabeth Gates (Rhodes) AKA Susie. Thank you from Jeremiah GATES Rhodes. Eagle Pass, tx
ReplyDeleteVery well done William Norwood Gates was my 3rd great grandfather through his son John Columbus Gates who married Mary Francis Spear. Their daughter Adelia "Dedo" Gates married Albert William Curtis who had my grandfather Spencer Curtis he married Elizabeth Boudreaux my grandmother they had my mother Joan Elizabeth Curtis who married my father Charles H Browne. Thanks again
ReplyDeleteAmos Gates was born in 1799 in Kentucky to William John Gates and Catherine Hardin (William John was the son of Charles Gates and Elizabeth Tholl). William Johnsnd his whole family moved to Texas with Stephen F Austin. Amos died in Washington County, Texas in 1883.
ReplyDelete