Person Page - 89

     John Wesley Byars was born on Apr 27, 1828 at Jefferson County, Alabama. He died on Jan 29, 1829 at Jefferson County, Alabama.

     Mary L. Rice was born in 1829 at Ohio. She married Joseph Austin Newman, son of Joseph Newman and Rachel Rabb, on Feb 9, 1848 at Wharton County, Texas. Mary L. Newman died after Sep 14, 1850 in childbirth.

     Benjamin Franklin Gee was born in 1829 at Alabama.

     Andrew Jackson Garey was born in 1829 at Windham Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.

     Delila Hodges was born in 1829 at Alabama.

     Eliza (?) was born in 1829. She married R. B. Darst.

     James S. Byars was born in 1829 at Alabama.

     Louisa Abigail Courtney was born in 1829 at Courtland County, New York.

     Amanda Jean Cooper was born on Feb 24, 1829 at Pulaski, Kentucky.

     Harriet B. Garey was born on Jun 5, 1829 at Luzerne County, Pennsylvania; July 25, 1829 per Les Walton. She married John Jackson Tumlinson, son of James Stephen Tumlinson and Mary Elizabeth White, on Mar 24, 1844 at Gonzales County, Texas. Harriet B. Garey married Isaac Read on Jan 15, 1848 at DeWitt County, Texas. Harriet B. Garey married William Terry on Mar 8, 1855 at DeWitt County, Texas.

     Anna S Allison was born on Jun 13, 1829 at DeWitt County, Texas. She married James Sidney Alexander.

     Johanne Peders-Datter was born on Jul 25, 1829 at Saeby, Denmark. She married Peder II Pedersen, son of Peder I Pedersen and Karen Hansdatter, on Jun 27, 1851 at Denmark. Johanne Peders-Datter married Peder II Pedersen, son of Peder I Pedersen and Karen Hansdatter, on Oct 25, 1851 at Saeby, Denmark. Johanne Peders-Datter married Jörgen Christiansen on Oct 15, 1871 at Haraldsted, Denmark. Johanne Christiansen died of hemorrhage of lungs on Nov 9, 1908 at Racine at age 79 and was buried at Mound Cemetery; grave 9, lot 90, block 20.
     She , according to her 'Skudsmaalsbog' was a girl of considerable charm and attractiveness. The 'Skudsmaalsbog' was a book, issued by the government for use of employers, in which to write the characteristics of their servants. One of the last sketches, which is characteristic of all those written in her book, is by Countess Hoftner and written on the 25th of October, 1851, reading as follows: 'Johanne Peders-Datter forlader min Tjeneste for at gifte sig. Hun anbefalesaf mig paa det hojeste for hun er en sjalden harlig Pige.' The translation of this reads: 'Johanne Peders-Datter leaves my service to be married. I recommend her in the highest terms because she is an exceptionally fine and splendid girl.' She married in the year 1851 to Peder Pedersen with whom she had eight children, the first one dying at birth. Her husband, Peder, died August 14, 1870, leaving her with seven children, the youngest of whom was only one year and a half old. October 15, 1871, she married again to Jörgen Christiansen with whom she had one daugher, Frederikke Christiansen. She migrated to America with her husband, Jörgen, and her two youngest children, John and Frederikke, arriving in Racine, Wisconsin on the first of May in the year 1880. Jörgen died in Racine on the eight of August, 1898, and she herself died in the same place November ninth, 1908. Both are buried in the Racine cemetery." "Peder and Johanne were both natives of Denmark and met one another while they were employed for one of the royal families of that country. Johanne was a chambermaid and Peder was superintendent of the forests. They were both outstanding in personality and influence. Peder served in the two Danish-German wars of 1848-49 and 1864. Neither of them had any educational advantages beyond those which correspond to the eight grades in our public schools here in America. Peder owned a large estate but was swindled out of it by unscrupulous companions. He was known as a kind husband and devoted father who was always proud of his family." (from Niels John Peterson genealogy.) She appeared on the census of 1880 at Skee, Haraldsted, Denmark, was 50 years old; Jorgen Christiansen was 38. She emigrated on May 1, 1880 from Racine, Wisconsin; is listed in the Minnesota Naturalization Records Index, 1854-1957 [database online]. Orem, UT, edited by Conrad Peterzen. Polk County, Minnesota, Reel 2, Code 4, Volume D, Page 446. She and Jörgen Christiansen appeared on the census of Jun 20, 1885 at Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin, household of 3 males (Jorgen, Hoffman, Niels John), 2 females (Johanna, Frederikke), all born in Scandanavia. Johanne Christiansen appeared on the census of Jun 7, 1900 at Racine living alone at 1535 West St., Ward 5, E D 39, Sheet 13, page 3804B.

     Elizabeth Cooper was born on Aug 14, 1829 at Spartanburg County, South Carolina. She married Asa William Tindall. Elizabeth Cooper died on May 28, 1886 at Cherokee County, South Carolina, at age 56. She was buried at Beaverdam Baptist Church, Cherokee County, South Carolina.
     The 1850 Federal Census enumerated her as head of household in 1850 Spartanburg County, South Carolina.

     Adaline Elizabeth Byars was born on Oct 22, 1829 at Jefferson County, Alabama. She married Francis M. Ross in 1846. Adaline Elizabeth Byars died in 1856 at DeWitt County, Texas, (or Lavaca County.)

     Henry Felix White Hill was born on Nov 30, 1829 at Canada; 1860 census says South Carolina; 1850 and 1870 census says Canada; father born New Hampshire, mother Canada. He married Susan Seamour Garey, daughter of Seymour Garey and Anna Kingsbury, on Jun 20, 1852 at DeWitt County, Texas. Henry Felix White Hill died on Jul 29, 1895 at DeWitt County, Texas, at age 65 and was buried at Hillside Cemetery in Cuero.
     The 1860 Federal Census enumerated him as head of household on Jun 1, 1860 DeWitt County, Texas; head, 30, m, farmer, value of personal estate 800, born South Carolina. The 1870 Federal Census enumerated him as head of household on Aug 1, 1870 Clinton, DeWitt County, Texas; head, 40/m/w, farmer, real estate value 100, personal estate value, 300, born Canada. The 1880 Federal Census enumerated him as head of household on Jun 1, 1880 DeWitt County, Texas; head, w/m/50, farmer, born Canada.

     John W. Gee was born in 1830 at Alabama.

     Savanna Laura Garey was born in 1830 at Windham Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.

     Joshua Witham was born in 1830. He married Emily Newbanks. Joshua Witham died in 1903.

     James Courtney was born in 1830 at New York.

     Elizabeth Missouri (Missorie) Cooper was born in 1830 at Spartanburg County, South Carolina. She married Marion Amos. Elizabeth Missouri (Missorie) Amos died in 1856 at Spartanburg County, South Carolina.

     Pricilla Neal was born in 1830 at Kentucky.

     John Thomas Loy was born in 1830 at Alabama. He married Luvanna Grayson, daughter of Jackson L. Grayson and Anna Craft, on Jul 15, 1851 at Nacogdoches County, Texas. John Thomas Loy died in 1869 at Nacogdoches County, Texas.

     Mary Milstead was born in 1830 at Florida; born 1828 per 1870 census index page 70. She married Alfred Hodges, son of James Hodges and Charity (?), before 1852 at Escambia City, Florida.
     Mary Milstead resided before 1869; moved from Alabama to Texas.

     Jane (?) was born in 1830. She married Nelson Courtney, son of John Courtney and Roxana Blinn.
     Jane (?) on 1860 Marathon, Cortland Co., NY census per Marjo Siano.

     Andrew Rabb Newman was born in 1830. He died in 1902.

     Isaac Courtney was born in 1830 at Courtland County, New York.

     Gideon Cannon married Rachel Stark. Gideon Cannon was born on Feb 6, 1830. He died in 1893.

     Susan Goyne was born on Feb 24, 1830 at Jefferson County, Alabama. She married Lawrence Washington (William) Byars, son of William Henry Byars and Elizabeth Jane Goode, on Dec 24, 1846 at Chickasaw County, Mississippi; (per Sybil Northcutt, married in 1847.) Susan Goyne died on Jan 15, 1916 at Blanco, Blanco County, Texas, at age 85 (per Sybil Northcutt, Susan died in 1915.)

     Oliver Hugh Rice was born on Aug 1, 1830 at Ohio. He married Adeline Prudence Courtney, daughter of Truman Courtney and Amanda Garey, on Mar 23, 1854 at DeWitt County, Texas. Oliver Hugh Rice died before May 16, 1870 at DeWitt County, Texas. The date that his widow, Adeline, married Abraham Bowen. Different family stories relate the death of Oliver Rice. One is that Oliver was helping build a log house. He was a powerful, stout man. He tried to stop a log from falling on some men by holding it up. He was killed when it fell on him, saving the others from injury. This is from a letter written by Truman C. Rice about his grandfather, Oliver. Another is from Sybil Northcutt, DeWitt and Lavaca County historian: Oliver and his son were cutting trees. One fell on Oliver and killed him. He was buried at Hollan Cemetery, Terryville, or on the private property of Rastch Wagener which is next to County Line Cemetery. There is no marker for Oliver at either cemetery. Family stories relate that the roads were too muddy to transport him to Alexander Cemetery for burial in the family plot.
     The 1860 Federal Census enumerated him as head of household on Jul 27, 1860 DeWitt County, Texas; Rice, Oliver, head, 39/m/farmer, real estate value $186, personal estate value $1,200, born Ohio, Adaline, 21/f, born New York, Wm H., 3 yrs old, born Texas, Aaron A.D., 5 yrs old, born Texas, Oliver Jr., 1 yr old, born Texas. He died when a log fell on him while he and others were building a log house. Oliver tried to hold up the log. The other men were able to get out of the way but the log fell on Oliver. Per letter from Truman Rice to Kraig Rice in 1973.

     Sylvester Cooper was born on Sep 2, 1830 at Jefferson County, Alabama. He married Amy Harriet Marshall, daughter of William (Progenitor) Marshall and Nancy Wortham, on Feb 2, 1852 at Houston, Chickasaw County, Mississippi. Sylvester Cooper died on May 15, 1883 at DeWitt County, Texas, at age 52. He was buried at Hebron Cemetery.
     Buena Vista, Chickasaw County, Mississippi was settled in 1836, when a family by the name of Pulliam, from Georgia bought 900 acres of land from an Indian and made the first settlement. A post office was established on May 26, 1847 and named Monterey, with Uriah S. Williams as postmaster. On June 3, 1847 the name was changed to Buena Vista in commemoration of a battle fought on February 23 of that year in the Mexican War. He enlisted on February 24, 1863 (33 yrs old) in the Company A (Buena Vista Rifles), Seventeenth Infantry Regiment, Mississippi Volunteers, Confederate States of America for 3 years. Sylvester probably participated in the Battles of Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Chickamuga, The Wilderness, Spotsylvania and Cedar Creek. On March 16, 1863, he wrote the following letter from Frederiksburg, Virginia (spelling edited):
"Dear Harriet and little children,
I have got to my company. I got here on the 14th, ten days travel. We had a very good time on the road. Nothing wrong happened to us. It cost me 27 dollars to get here. Everything is very high on the road and also at this place. I have no news to write. It is reported here this morning that the Yankees are across above this place, but maybe it is so or not, I don't know. The boys seem to doubt it but they are a plenty. Just across the river at this place I found all the boys on foot and able to eat their allowance. They are all in good spirits. If there should be a fight at this place the boys think they will gain the victory.
Harriet, I hardly know what to say to you. You can only do the best you can. I have no more idea when I will get home than you do. Some of the boys seem to think that there will be peace sometime this summer, but I fear there will be no such luck. Harriet, do the best you can and I will come home just as soon as I can. I want you to write just as soon as you get this and write often. I will close. Kiss the children for me. Give my best etcs to all of the connections and keep the home yourself.
Yours with great respect, S. Cooper"
He fought along with his two brothers, George W. and Joseph T. Cooper. Sylvester was wounded and captured at Cedar Creek (Belle Grove) on October 19, 1864, probably the result of Union General George E. Custer's cavalry charge. Sylvester's right leg was amputated on the battlefield. On October 20, 1864, the next day after he was captured, Sylvester was transferred to the U.S.A. Depot Field Hospital in Winchester, Virginia. On December 21, he was admitted to the U.S.A. General Hospital, Wests Building, Baltimore, Maryland. On the edge of death, he was fed broth and was restored to health by a Spanish speaking nurse. On May 9, 1865, Sylvester was transferred to Fort McHenry, Maryland. In this fort where Francis Scott Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner, Sylvester took the oath of allegiance to the United States on June 12, 1865 and he was set free. Traveling muleback in the care of a black friend, Sylvester returned to his home and family in Mississippi. Overcoming the younger children's initial fear (they hid under the bed) of this peg-legged "stranger," Sylvester and Harriet restored the close family ties. He sold 60 acres of land for $160 to John B. Parker; recorded in Deed Book BB, pages 424 & 425 on July 29, 1874 on Oct 29, 1866 at Chickasaw County, Mississippi. Could not find Sylvester Cooper listed between 1870 and 1872 Bastrop County, Texas. He had 11 mules valued $220; 18 goats, valued $44; 1876 Precinct No. 5, DeWitt County, Texas. The 1880 Federal Census enumerated him as head of household on Jun 21, 1880 DeWitt County, Texas; Cooper, Sylvester V?, head, w/m/49, farmer, maimed-yes, born Alabama, father born North Carolina, mother born Alabama.