Citizen of the Republic of Texas

Frances Ann Locklin, born in Columbia Co., GA - Daughter of William Lawson Locklin Sr and Nancy Mercer.

Sister of Louisa E, Alteman Livingston, Samuel G, Jesse Daniel, Celia Emaline Mae, Elisabeth A, Sarah Catherine "Kate", Mary "Amanda", James Zachoriah "Jim", Alfred M, Martha Ann, Infant Daughter, William Lawson "Tamp" Jr, Thomas Jefferson "Bunk", B A, and Nancy Victoria Locklin.

Frances married, 24 Sept 1851, Charles Neal Fokes, a son of John Fokes Sr and Abagail McLennan. After the death of Charles in 1864, Frances married, in June 1867, William Madison Barge.

Mother of (by Charles) Judge William Franklin, Frances Annette, Charles Neal McLennan and Little Daughter (29 Jan 1858-1 Mar 1858) Fokes.

Frances and William had no known children.

Granddaughter of Samuel Locklin & Celia Zachry and William Mercer & Isabel Malloy.

Frances died in Irion Co., TX.
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Rockdale Messenger
(Rockdale, Tex.)
Vol. 27, Ed. 1
Thursday, February 23, 1899
Page 8 of 8

Died.

On January 30, 1899, at the home of her son Judge W. F. Fokes, Sherwood, Texas, Mrs. Francis A Barge, in her 69th year.

Only as an item of news; only a record of immortality for the public; glanced at with little interest, forgotten for the next item, the next announcement of the passing "beyond the river" of a fellow mortal; but for the sorrowing friends of the dear one whose demise is there announced, what absorbing interest clusters around these few lines; what tender memories and, mayhap, regrets are invoked; what sadness possesses the mind as they remember and realize that this announcement closes the earthly record of the fond mother, the beloved and loving sister, the faithful friend. Lifeless the heart whose every beat was love, faithfulness and truth; stilled the low, sweet voice that was never heard in angry accent. She is gone from among us and we mourn her death, yet we "mourn not as those without hope," for from her blameless life and Christian character we may well believe that "our great loss is her eternal gain."

Francis A. Barge was born in Georgia, March 21, 1830. She was one of a large family of children, several of whom survive her. Of these, her brother, W. L. Locklin, lives at Sherwood, Texas, and three brothers, A. L., J. Z. and T. J. Locklin, live in Milam county, as do two sisters, Mrs. Martha Guthrie and Mrs. Nannie Fulcher, while the remaining sister, Mrs. Amanda Holcomb, resides in Bell county.

The family removed to Texas in 1845, settling in Milam county, where deceased has lived, almost continuously, until January 1898.

September 24, 1851, she was married to Charles Fokes, the father of W. F. and Charles N. Fokes, of Sherwood. They are her only surviving children. Her husband died in 1864, at Tyler, Texas, while in the Confederate service.

In June, 1867, she was married to Wm. M. Barge, of Milam county, and lived near by her old home on the San Gabriel river until the death of Mr. Barge, which occurred in November 1883. Since that time she has made her home with her youngest son, Chas. N. Fokes, mainly on her old homestead, tho for a short time they lived in Taylor, removing to Sherwood in January of last year.

Mrs. Barge enjoyed reasonable good health until 1891, during which year she suffered from a severe attack of la grip, from which she never entirely recovered; yet her actual decline dates from last August. Since then she had been failing, tho there was nothing alarming in her condition until a few weeks before her death. Ever thoughtful of the feelings of her friends, she never distressed them by complainings, but was cheerful and resigned to the last, whatever the suffering she endured.

Everything was done for her that available skill could do, but to no avail. At 4:30 o'clock in the evening of January 30 last, she passed away from the friends who would so gladly have stayed of the destroyer, breathing her last without a tremor or struggle; peacefully as she might have fallen asleep to awaken in the morning.

She seemed conscious to the last, and but a few minutes before her spirit took its flight she repeated that sweet couplet:
"Here, Lord, I give myself to Thee; 'Tis all that I can do."

Nearly all the first line was heard by the weeping friends around her bed; then her fleeting strength was gone, yet she murmured the last line with her last breath. Those who knew her in life confidently believe the gift was accepted.

"Aunt Fanny," as she was affectionately called, leaves a large circle of friends, wherever she was known, to mourn her death. It is hard to give her up, but she will be with us in spirit and will live with us in memory while our life shall last.

"Go to they rest in peace."
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Rockdale Messenger
Thursday, Feb 23, 1899

Death - Mrs. Francis A. Barge, age 69, died on Jan. 30, 1899, at the home of her son, Judge W. F. Fokes of Sherwood, Texas. She was born in Georgia, March 21, 1830 and was one of a large family of children, several of whom survive her. Of these, her brother, W. L. Locklin, lives at Sherwood and three brothers, A. L. Locklin, J. Z. Locklin, and T. J. Locklin who live in Milam county as do two sisters, Mrs. Martha Guthrie and Mrs. Nannie Fulcher, while her remaining sister, Mrs. Amanda Holcomb, resides in Bell county. The family moved to Texas in 1845, settling in Milam county where the deceased lived until Jan. 1898. On Sept. 24, 1851, she married Charles Fokes, the father of W. F. Fokes and Charles N. Fokes of Sherwood. They are her only surviving children. Her husband died in 1864 in Tyler, Texas while in the Confederate service. In June 1867, she married Wm. M. Barge of Milam county and lived near by her old home on the San Gabriel river until the death of Mr. Barge in Nov. 1883. Since that time, she has made her home with her youngest son Charles. Mrs. Barge was in good health until 1891, during which year she suffered from a severe attack of la grip, from which she never entirely recovered; yet her actual decline dates from last August. At 4:30 p.m., on Jan. 30, she passed away. [very lengthy article]
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Dallas Morning News, 03 Feb 1899, p.6
Dallas, Dallas Morning News, Texas
Mortuary
Barge - Sherwood, Iron Co. Tex., 31, Jan - Frances A. Barge died yesterday at 5:30 p.m., aged 69 years. Deceased came from Milam county and was mother to County Judge W. F. Fokes of Irion county.