James Daniel Roberts was born on June 25, 1908, in San Augustine, Texas, the eldest son and second child of Daniel Allen Roberts and Alice Mathews Roberts.

James is recorded in the following United States Federal Census:

1910 United States Federal Census - James Roberts
1920 United States Federal Census - James D Roberts
1930 United States Federal Census - James D Roberts
1940 United States Federal Census - James Roberts
1950 United States Federal Census - F D Roberts
Texas, U.S., Birth Index, 1903-1997 - James Daniel Roberts - {Alice Joy Roberts}
Texas, U.S., Birth Index, 1903-1997 - James D Roberts - {Mattie B Roberts}
Texas, U.S., Birth Index, 1903-1997 - James D Roberts - {Maggie B Roberts}
Texas, U.S., Death Certificates, 1903-1982 - James D Roberts - {James Green Roberts}
Texas, U.S., Death Index, 1903-2000 - James Roberts
U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995 - James D Roberts
U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 - James D Roberts
U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014 - James D. Roberts
U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947 - James Daniel Roberts

Parents: Daniel Allen Roberts and Alice Mathews Roberts.

First Spouse: Altha Linner "Tang" Montgomery - married on May 13, 1939, in San Augustine, Texas

Children: Lurtee Roberts Royal, Alice Joy Roberts Garrett, Willie Fay Roberts Cartwright and Maggie Bertha Roberts Bright.

Second Spouse: Eloise Green Roberts

Children; Mattie B. Roberts, James Green Roberts and Gloria Lorraine Roberts Matlock.

Siblings; Susie A. Roberts Edwards, Sealey Roberts Boyer, Tassie Roberts Davis McCord, Maggie Roberts Burton Wright, Henry Roberts, Lillie Mae Roberts Davis, Evon Roberts Wilson, Bertha Roberts Horton, Melissa Carrie Roberts Hawthorne, Learline Roberts Jones and Allen James Roberts.

Fond Memories of our Grandparents - Grant Allen Price, Bessie Mae Arline Price and James Daniel Roberts by James Kennedy Matlock

Grandpa Grant died early when I was very young, however, I do remember him. I was like age three or so, my brother, Kenneth Ray Matlock, was age four and my sister, Misty Marchell Matlock, would have been age five.

Although, I was very young I remember grandpa Grant holding me close as he ran his tractor.

Prior to grandpa Grant's death, he and grandmother Bessie watched over us often since my father, Kenneth Ray Matlock Sr., was a Carpenter by trade. He worked along with Charles Lynn "Pip" Wilson. Charlie, his wife Larvita "Veda" Genell Wright Wilson and their family were from the Union Grove Norwood Community.

My father, Kenneth Sr., stayed busy with many various jobs doing whatever it took to provide for his family because our mother, Gloria Lorraine Roberts Matlock, was in and out of the hospital. When our mother's health permitted, she worked at the Temple Inland.

My sister Misty spent every day with grandmother Bessie and she had her own room at the end of the hallway on the right. Often, Kenneth Jr. and I stayed too. We slept in the guest room near the entrance on the left.

Although, we had short years with grandpa Grant it was grandmother Bessie Mae that became like a righteous mother/stepmother to us. Our granny would cook her love into your soul. She was like a mentor and a teacher to us. We were grateful for all the years we had with her.

When our mother's health started to fail and Grant had passed I was told by my elders that the decision was made amongst our grandfather James, our father Kenneth and somewhat our mother Gloria to let Misty stay in the care of grandmother Bessie to raise and watch over her as she grew being that our granny was living alone out in the Saint Luke area.

Our mother was dealing with many doctor visits so this arrangement worked perfectly and was the best decision they ever could have made. Everyone was in rotation helping each other. It was many fun times and Misty and Bessie were a team. Grandmother Bessie was crazy about her Misty.

Misty attended the Broaddus ISD where she caught the bus from the front yard. Grandmother Bessie sent Misty off to school to beauty pageants, church, etc. My sister Misty was reared by grandmother Bessie from about the age of five and well into her early twenties.
As youngsters, my brother Kenneth Jr. and I would visit grandmother Bessie periodically via our grandfather James Daniel Roberts. However, we were back and forth between the San Augustine ISD and the Broaddus ISD, but mostly the San Augustine ISD.

Our grandfather James Daniel Roberts would have Kenneth and I back and forth between his two residents in Cedar Hills and his ranch property. On the ranch is where grandpa James taught us the value of life.

Kenneth and I became explorers of the land. We found trails that led to other neighbor's land and houses in the Saint Luke community. The trails led from our grandfather James to the neighbors Wilbert Roach Sr., William Alvin "Yick" and wife Rachel Mae Taylor Bluford, Lonnie B. Edwards and wife Minervie Lee Holman Edwards and even all the way to Highway 147 into the Norwood district of rural San Augustine. My brother and I were young, happy and adventurous explorers back in the day.

Kenneth and I were mostly raised by our maternal grandfather, James Daniel Roberts, in the Cedar Hills area. Since our grandfather had a ranch down from grandmother Bessie's we were a hop and a skip from her house on the hill at route 240 and 242.

Our grandmother Bessie gave us the essentials as children and equally matched when our mother was incapable. My grandmother Bessie also was like an extra help to our mother as well in so many ways.

I remember our granny Bessie would take us to see Dilcy Mathews Randle Borders, Panella "Mella" Curl Davis, Ruby Lillian DuPree Taylor, Mamie Edwards DuPree and many more friends in the area. Guess who was driving - Misty - granny Bessie's Ford pickup was the best ride ever.

I think my sister Misty still has photos of her in Grant's arms as a baby and pictures of our grandmother Bessie and our mother Gloria leaving for church along with several other memorable photos.

Grandmother Bessie Mae was in our lives up into our twenties. We never missed a week from visiting with our precious granny.

Grandmother Bessie was ours and we were her family from the start of our lives to the end of her life. As her health went on the decline Mr. Leon Davis and Mrs. Leola Davis took care of grandmother Bessie for several years until her passing. We were grateful for grandmother Bessie and for all grandpa Grant done for us.

Those who know us knew our ties to grandpa Grant and grandmother Bessie. Shortly before Bessie departed to the afterlife the land was moved into the control of others for reasons unknown and my sister Misty was left with no choice but to go her separate way. Misty is now age 43 and has over twenty years of memories with our grandmother Bessie.

Being in their company we had an opportunity to do and see a lot in our precious formidable years. We were grandmother Bessie's grandkids up until the day she passed.

As adults, my siblings and I all have a solid foundation from our experiences with grandpa Grant and grandmother Bessie.

Larnell Price was also present and sometimes stayed at the resident. His sister, Mamie Odell Price Leffal Roach, did not stay at the residence, however, she and her family visited often.

Our maternal grandmother, Eloise Green, was and is currently living in the Kirbyville/Jacksonville area. We visited with her family only on revivals, holidays and reunion get togethers.

Thru my research I have learned a great deal. Turns out grandpa Grant Allen Price and grandfather James Daniel Roberts were second cousins:

James Daniel Roberts 1908-1998
2nd cousin

Daniel Allen Roberts 1888-1972
Father of James Daniel Roberts

Allen Roberts 1863-1942
Father of Daniel Allen Roberts

Martha Roberts Price 1843-1918
Mother of Allen Roberts

Amanda Roberts Price Polk 1857-1934
Daughter of Martha Roberts Price

Miles Price Sr. 1874-1968
Son of Amanda Roberts Price Polk

Grant Allen Price
Son of Miles Price Sr.

Our elders told us many stories about Clarence Price, John Wiley Price and Miles Price. I would hear them talking about memories and the life of grandpa Grant. Grandma Bessie spoke of Carrie Cordelia Price Roberts, grandpa Grant's sister.

So many came by to visit. Grandmother's family, D.C. and Renada from Spurger, Texas. The Watts of San Augustine, many church people along with many more friends and family.

The Price and Roberts families of San Augustine has a strong family bond from many years ago. I remember grandfather James sharing with me, when I was a child, about our family ties to the Caucasian Roberts family {Elisha Roberts and Tom Roberts} here in San Augustine. They were the owners of a huge plantation and many slaves.

They spoke of Elisha and Tom Roberts and slavery and our family ties to slavery. Grandfather James and grandmother Bessie Mae shared that the Caucasian Roberts were our kin folks too.

Respectfully, grandmother Bessie and grandfather James were great friends through the years and would share their knowledge of the family, knowledge of the Bible and many things going on in the world.