Eli Stephens (1792-1867) and Susan Thompson (1800-1872), married about 1817, and their children

Census records that Eli and Susan were born in North Carolina. According to North America, Family Histories, Eli was born in Bladen Co NC, the son of William Stephens and Elizabeth Greene. William was a Revolutionary War Patriot as was his father Barnabas.

Eli was living in Bladen Co NC with his birth family and three enslaved persons in 1800. Eli and Susan were living in Robeson Co NC in 1820 in a household including 2 males under 10, 1 male 16-25, 1 female 16-25, 3 enslaved males 26-44, 3 enslaved females 14-25, 1 enslaved female 26-44. A Stephen Thompson is the entry before Eli Stephens on the census page. Eli was named an executor of his Will in 1826.

The family continued in Robeson County in 1830: 1 male under 5, 2 males 10-14, 1 male 30-39, 2 females under 5, 1 female 5-9, one female 30-39, 2 enslaved males 10-23, 1 enslaved male 24-35, one enslaved female under 10, 2 enslaved females 10-23. 

Eli and Susan were in Carroll Co MS by 1840: Males: one 0-4, one 5-9, one 15-19, one 30-39, one 40-49; females: one 0-4, one 5-9, one 10-14, two 15-19, one 40-49. The Eli Stephens family continued in Carroll County in 1845 (state census).

B T Stevens and Eli Stevens appear on a 'list of letters remaining at the Post Office at Middleton Mi., July 1, 1847, which if not taken out in three months, will be forwarded as dead letters' (Hazlehurst Mississippi Democrat, 14 Jul 1847). Middleton MS, now an historical town, was originally in Carroll County.

An article entitled Martha Ann (Stephens) Townsend, shared by Ethel Mae Townsend on rootsweb and referencing Gazeteer of Hamilton County, TX, describes the relationship between the Stephens and Steen families as well as their migration from Mississippi to Texas.

Children of Eli Stephens and Susan, or Susanna, Thompson and children of William Steen and Mary R Enochs who made marriages are: Alexander G Stephens and Nancy A Steen, John Henry Stephens and Narcissa Steen, Frances E Stephens and James Wiley Steen, Arabella Stephens and Enoch Miles Steen. Note that Asenath Steen (daughter of William and Mary) was the first wife of Elisha Stevens Jr who married secondly Frances E Stephens (daughter of Eli and Susan). 

According to The Steen Family in Europe and America (Moses Duncan Alexander Steen, 1917) 'After the death of his wife William Steen and all his children then living, married and unmarried, nine in number, started, October 30, 1846, to remove to DeWitt County, Texas. He was taken sick on the way, and died soon after reaching Texas, at the residence of his brother-in-law, Levi Noble, in Nacogdoches Courthouse. He was buried in the old North Churchyard, about four miles from Nacogdoches. Two of his sons afterward returned to Rankin County, Mississippi, where they continued to live. William and Mary R. Steen were earnest and devout Christians, and brought up their family in the fear of the Lord. To them were born in Rankin County, Mississippi, fourteen children.'

Alexander Stephens and John Henry Stephens and their wives are buried at the Stevens Cemetery in DeWitt Co TX not far from the Guadalupe Stephens Cemetery in Gonzales Co TX where Susan and Eli rest with children Frances E., Ann Eliza, Susan Caroline, Harriet Jane and Arabella.

Stevens Cemetery has a 2002 Historic Texas Cemetery marker: Joseph (1810-1861) and Sarah Ann Steen (1820-1860) Stevens, with Stevens, Steen and Stephens relatives and a number of slaves, arrived in this area from Rankin County, Mississippi in 1846. They bought land from Green DeWitt's colony and began to farm and raise cattle near this site.

The Stevens and Guadalupe Stephens cemeteries are both near the Guadalupe River. A marker for the Guadalupe River erected in 1969 by the Texas Historic Commission is inscribed: One of the earliest explored rivers in Texas. Named for Our Lady of Guadalupe by Spaniard Alonso de Leon in 1689. . . Near the mouth of the river, historic Victoria was founded, and 60 miles above was Gonzales, where the first shot for Texas freedom was fired, Oct. 2, 1835. The Guadalupe is 250 miles long. 

1850 on Peach Creek, Gonzales Co TX:

STEVENS Eli 58 value of real estate 3,120 NC, Susanna 50 NC, Ann E 22 NC person over 20 who cannot read & write insane, Henry 20 NC, Susan C 16 NC, Harriett 15 NC, Adaline 13 NC, Joseph E 11 MS, Arabellah 7 MS, Nancy 5 MS. Near neighbors are Susan and Eli's children Frances E Stevens (25, NC) and Barnabas Stevens (31, NC). Peach Creek flows southward 48 miles to its mouth on the Guadalupe River near Gonzales.

1860 Gonzales Co TX (PO Gonzales):

STEVENS Eli 68 farmer value of real estate 9,200 NC, Susanna 58 NC, Joseph 21 farmhand MS, Arabella 14 MS attended school within the year, Nancy 14 MS attended school within the year, ME (Ann) 33 NC idiot, Eli W (grandson) 19 farmhand MS.

1870 Gonzales Co TX: Susan Stevens, 66, keeping house, value of real estate 4,400, value of personal estate 1,500, born in NC. The post office appears to be in Belmont TX, which is located on US Highway 90A between Gonzales and Seguin.

Gonzales Co TX tax roll: 

In 1854 Eli Stephens owned 700 acres on the Guadalupe River, original grantee J Thompson, taken from tract 4428 [a league of land = 4428 acres] as well as personal property of 17 negroes, 13 horses, 26 cattle and 115 oxen. In 1870 the widowed Mrs Susan Stevens owned 700 acres on the Guadalupe, original grantee James Thompson, as well as 25 horses and 100 cattle.

James Thompson was also the original grantee of land owned by Susan's sons-in-law Daniel B Shuler and James W Steen as well as that of Sarah Elizabeth Stevens (minor), who was the daughter of Susan's deceased son-in-law Elisha Stevens. The abstract number for the land tracts with James Thompson as grantee is 71.

James Thompson, a married man with a family of 9, arrived in the DeWitt Colony 1 Dec 1830. He received title 24 April 1831 to a sitio/league of land on the east bank of the Guadalupe south of the town tract of Gonzales. As shown by the tax rolls, 700 acres of this land came to be possessed by Eli and Susan. 

In April 1825 empresario Green DeWitt was authorized by the Mexican government to settle 400 families between the Guadalupe and Lavaca rivers. 'Gonzales County, named for the capital of Green DeWitt's colony, was established in 1836 and organized in 1837 as one of the original counties in the Republic of Texas. It occupied the same area as DeWitt's colony . . . After the annexation of Texas to the United States in 1845, portions of Gonzales County were detached to form what are now the counties of Caldwell, Comal, DeWitt, Fayetteville, Guadalupe, Jackson, Lavaca, and Victoria. . . [The] settlers of DeWitt's colony obtained land grants and patents in the fertile blackland valleys of the Guadalupe and San Marcos rivers and along the major creeks including . . . Peach Creek (named Arroyo de los Theodolites before Anglo settlement). . . By 1850 the county population had reached 1,492, including 601 slaves.' (Dorcas Huff Baumgartner and Genevieve B Vollentine, TSHA general entry)

Eli and Susan are buried on what was their land at the Guadalupe Stephens Cemetery. A note for the cemetery on Find a Grave reads: '(Directions dated 1963 when the cemetery was surveyed. Landmarks may have changed.) Located on Dr. Eugene Lauraine, Sr. property: East on 90A from Gonzales; right at Jenkins Store, left at first lane.'

 Dr Lauraine, a dentist and a member of the Gonzales First Baptist Church, was the great-great-grandson of Eli Stephens and Susan Thompson. He died in 1995, and the property now belongs to his widow. The cemetery property is on CR 342 and the legal description is James Thompson 72 (Gonzales Central Appraisal District).

Eli Stephens's Find a Grave memorial (32070288) has photos of two stones for Eli, each giving his birthdate as 20 Jan 1792. One stone, perhaps the older, has his date of death as 27 Nov 1867 while the other records the deathdate as 12 Nov 1867. Susan's stone is inscribed Susan Thompson consort of Eli Stephens. Born Sept. 20, 1800: Died June 12, 1872. 

THE CHILDREN

REV BARNABUS 'BARNEY' T STEPHENS was born in North Carolina 7 July 1818. He married Christian Townsend 6 Jan 1840 in Carroll Co MS. Barney and Christian/Christine were living on Peach Creek in Gonzales Co TX in 1850 with children William, Narcissa and Susan.       Barnabas T Stevens and Mrs Eliza A Emery (born Hatchett) married 10 Jan 1858 in Gonzales Co TX. They were living in Lavaca Co TX in 1860 and Barney was a farmer. He appears as an enslaver of four people in Lavaca, Lavaca, Texas on the 1860 slave schedule. BT Stevens is on the 1870 Bosque Co TX tax roll. Barney and Eliza were still in Bosque County in 1880. Eliza's occupation is listed on the census as preacher, presumably a designation meant for Barnabus. She died 10 July 1891 and was buried at the Selden Cemetery, also known as the Hatchett Cemetery, in Erath Co TX. Barnabas was living in Erath County with his son William and his family in 1900. He died 6 Oct 1901 and is buried at the Selden Cemetery, his stone inscribed Rev. B. T. Stephens.

ALEXANDER G STEPHENS was born 20 Jan 1820 in North Carolina. A notice appeared in the Weekly Mississippian 11 Mar 1846: Married: On the 5th of February, by the Rev. C. Price, Alexander G. Stevens, of Carroll county, to Miss Nancy Steen, of Rankin county. Alexander, a farmer, and Nancy were living in DeWitt Co TX in 1850, 1860, 1870 (PO Clinton) and 1880. Nancy's sister Narcissa was living with them in 1850. Alexander is recorded as an enslaver in the 1850 and 1860 DeWitt County slave schedules. 

 A Texas muster roll index card records that Pvt Alexander G Stevens was in Co D of the 24th Bat, TST, Tr. to CSA, enlisted at Camp Terry for 6 mo. He was 44 years old and the remarks record that his company was stationed at Camp McCulloch. 

 Nancy, also known as Nannie, died 31 Oct 1880 and was buried at the Stevens Cemetery in DeWitt County, her stone inscribed Asleep in Jesus O, how sweet, From which none ever wake to weep. 

 Alexander married Mary Frances Conn Balon 17 July 1888 in Gonzales County. He died Jan 1896 and was buried at the Stevens Cemetery. His grave is marked with two stones, the older having his full dates, though worn, and the newer a military stone inscribed Pvt Co D Texas State Troops/Confederate States Army/1820 1896.

MARY E STEPHENS was born about 1822 in Robeson Co NC. She married Josiah Townsend 26 Dec 1840 in Carroll Co MS, Benjamin F Norman 10 Nov1854 in Gonzales Co TX and Isaac S Steen 9 Jan 1879 in Gonzales Co TX. 

 Mary and Josiah were living in Gonzales, Gonzales, Texas in 1850. She was living with Benjamin in Gonzales, Gonzales, Texas in 1860 and 1870. Benjamin was a farmer. Mary and Isaac were living in DeWitt Co TX in 1880, Isaac farming and Mary keeping house. 

 Mary died about 1882, likely in Texas. 

FRANCES 'FANNIE' E STEPHENS was born about 20 Jan 1826 in Robeson Co NC. The dates on her stone at the Guadalupe Stephens cemetery are worn and difficult to read. Census supports a birth year of 1826. The deathdate is more worn than the birthdate and impossible to decipher from the photos. Find a Grave has her deathdate as 25 Jan 1882. 

 Fannie married Elisha Stevens Jr 26 Feb 1846 in Rankin Co MS. The couple lived on Peach Creek in Gonzales County near Fannie's parents and her brother Barnabus in 1850. 

 Elisha made his Will 1 Dec 1853, appointing Frances executrix. 1st To my beloved Wife I give my Carriage & Horses & Black Horse Black Hawk. 

 An obituary for Mr. Elisha Stevens, printed 3 Dec 1853 in the Gonzales Inquirer, begins Died, on the morning of the 2d inst., Mr. Elisha Stevens, at his residence five miles below Gonzales. The deceased was a native of North Carolina, and emigrated from Mississippi to Texas in the year 1848. He had been a consistent member of the Baptist Church for ten years. 

 The First Baptist Church, Gonzales TX, was established in 1847 and is one of the oldest churches in Texas. The Gonzales Inquirer has operated continuously since 1853 and is one of the oldest newspapers in Texas.

 Fannie married James Wiley Steen 21 Jun 1853 in Gonzales County. According to the Steen Family of Europe and America (Moses Steen, 1917) 'James Wiley Steen, the thirteenth child and sixth son of William and Mary R. Steen, was born in Rankin County, Mississippi, January 8, 1833, and removed with his father's family in 1846. He was a farmer by occupation, residing near Gonzales, Texas. He was married in Texas, June 22, 1855, to Mrs. Julia Brantly. James W. Steen died near Gonzales, Texas, August 18, 1889, aged 56 years, 7 months, and 10 days. To James W. and Fannie E. Steen, were born four children.'

 James and Fannie were in Gonzales County in 1860, 1870 and 1880.

 According to a Texas muster roll card, Pvt Jas Steen, age 30, was in Co B, Cavalry, 25th Brigade, TST in CSA, enlisting Aug 3 for 6 mos, remarks: sta. at Camp Hood on San Marcos River.

 Fannie, Elisha and James are buried at the Guadalupe Stephens Cemetery.

ANN ELIZA STEPHENS was born 20 Feb 1828 in Robeson Co NC. Unmarried, she lived with her parents. 1850: Ann E Stevens, 22 year old female born in NC, person over 20 who cannot read & write, insane. 1860: ME Stevens, 33, NC, Idiot. Her stone at the Guadalupe Stephens Cemetery is inscribed In memory of Ann Eliza daughter of Eli and S. Stephens born 20 Feb. 1828 died July 2 1864.

JOHN HENRY STEPHENS was born 23 Dec 1829 in Robeson Co NC. He married Narcissa Steen (1824-1880) 7 Aug 1851 in DeWitt Co TX. Henry, a planter, lived in Gonzales County (PO Gonzales) in 1860 with his wife and young daughters and an overseer. The growing family lived in DeWitt County in 1870 (PO Clinton). Henry's occupation is listed as Stock Dealer. Henry, widowed, continued in DeWitt County in 1880. 

 He married Sallie McAllister (1856-1940) 23 Aug 1883 in Jackson Co MS. They lived in Kansas City, Jackson, Missouri in 1900: Henry, 70, was a livestock dealer who could read and write and who owned his own home with a mortgage. According to Sallie's Widow's Application for Confederate Pension, Henry 'served with the Texas Rangers under Col. Frank Terry and under General Wheeler and others and was wounded at the battle of Shiloh.' 

 The History of the Steen Family in Europe and America (p 180) refers to Henry as a 'wholesale dealer in beef and cattle.'

 JH Stevens in Historic Sketches of the Cattle Trade of the West and Southwest (Joseph G McCoy, 1874, p 90-1): 'The Civil War was, in its effects upon the agricultural interests of the South, a complete revolutionizer, and bankrupter. Many whose lands were valuable for purposes of cultivation, and whose wealth consisted in agricultural lands and slaves, suddenly found themselves without laborers, and their lands so depreciated in market value, as to be almost worthless. The owners of these departed fortunes, in many cases became vagabond loafers, spending their dispairing hours lounging in bar-rooms, hotels and other public places ; never tiring of the story of their calamity, and ever trying to maintain the semblance at least of that genteel dignity, once the pride of a Southern slave owner. Although the effort generally results in but a seedy appearance, and frequent declarations of their "high tone." Other planters who became bankrupt, or nearly so, by the war, were able to rise, superior to their misfortunes, and after fully taking in the situation, turn their energies and efforts to some promising field of industry, and therein put forth noble efforts to retrieve their damaged fortunes. To this latter class belongs J. H. Stevens, whose magnificent plantation or farm of fifteen hundred acres, once in a high state of cultivation, became, to him worthless, nor can it be sold for anything now, although, before the war, twenty dollars per acre in gold was its market value. It is not profitable to hire laborers and cultivate it. So it is allowed to lay awaste, whilst its owner has turned his face to stock-driving ; sometimes horses are driven exclusively, and sold in Missouri or Illinois. In later years cattle have received his undivided attention, of which he annually drives about four thousand head ; first to western Kansas, then if no buyer is found there, he goes on to some one of the more northerly territories, or delivers them to some Government contractor, to be turned over to the Indians.

 'Mr. Stevens has been a constant driver since 1868, and has each year driven larger herds, or more of them, than the previous year. He is a substantial solid man, of good practical sense and fine judgment, and one that has a large list of friends. His quiet, affable manner, and air of genuine courtesy, attract the attention of observing men, who are always able to discern in him the true North Carolina gentleman.'      

 John H. Stephens Dead (The Kansas City Post, Mon 27 Jul 1908): 

 John H. Stephens, 77 years old, a veteran of the civil war and a man whose name was known throughout the Texas cattle country, died last night at his home, 3738 Main street. His death was the result of an attack of pneumonia, contracted about two or three weeks ago.

 In the cattle country Mr. Stephens was affectionately known as "Uncle Henry." Born in Virginia, he moved to Texas when about 20 years old and engaged in the cattle business. When the civil war broke out, Mr. Stephens enlisted under Colonel F. K. Terry, serving in the Ranger company of that name. At the battle of Shiloh he was wounded. After the war he came to Kansas City, and was a well known member of the Westport Baptist church. 

 The funeral will be held tomorrow at the home at 2:30 o'clock in the afternoon. Burial will be in Elmwood cemetery. 

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 Henry is buried with Narcissa at the Stevens Cemetery in DeWitt Co TX.

MARTHA ANN STEPHENS was born 20 Sep 1831 in Robeson Co NC. She was living in Carroll Co MS with her birth family in 1840 and she married Sherod Henley Townsend, who was also born in Robeson Co NC, in Carroll County MS 12 Sep 1849. 

 Sherod and Martha were living on Peach Creek in Gonzales Co TX in 1850. Sherod's occupation was listed as carpenter in the 1860 Hill Co TX census (PO Greenwade's Mills). Martha and Sherod were still living in Hill County with their growing family in 1870, Sherod's occupation listed as house carpenter. The family was in Hamilton Co TX in 1880. Sherod was a farmer and Martha was keeping house. Martha, widowed, was living in Hamilton Co TX in 1910 with her daughter Fannie and her family. 

 A Texas muster roll card records that Pvt S Townsend 39, was a member of Co K, 1st Regt, Bosque and Coryell Counties, 2nd Brig, TST, enlisting 6 Aug 1863 and 18 Mar 1864 at Camp McCullough, age 39, dark hair, complexion and eyes, occupation: mechanic. Note that the Texas State Troops were an organ of the Texas Rangers during the Civil War. 

 Sherod Townsend took an oath of office as Sheriff of Bosque Co TX at Meridian 12 May 1868. According to the Bosque County website 'During Reconstruction . . . lawlessness, including the killing of freedmen, flourished. In early 1870 the situation was so bad that the Austin Daily Journal reported Bosque County was averaging two killings each week.'

 Sherod and Martha are buried at the Kingsbury Rest Land Cemetery in Hamilton County. Sherod's stone gives his dates as 11 Nov 1823 to 12 Aug 1890 and is inscribed He giveth his beloved sleep (Psalm 127:2). Martha's stone gives her dates as 20 Sep 1831 to 16 Sep 1919 and is inscribed She was ready to every good work (Titus 3:1).

 The dates on Martha's death certificate are in accord with the dates on her stone. She died in Rule, Haskell, Texas.

SUSAN CAROLINE STEPHENS was born 3 Jan 1834 in North Carolina. She married Thomas P Shirley 19 Dec 1858 in Gonzales Co TX. The couple was living in Lockhart, Caldwell, Texas in 1860. Thomas was a Grocery Keeper and they had a four month old baby named after his father.

 Susan married Cornelius M McHaney 5 Nov 1870 in Gonzales County. The 1880 census found the family in Gonzales County, Cornelius farming, Susan keeping house. They continued in Gonzales County in 1900. Susan is listed as the mother of five children, three of them living.

 Cornelius died in 1901 and is buried at the Guadalupe Stephens Cemetery in Gonzales County.  

 Susan's obituary, probably published in the Gonzales Inquirer:

Death of An Estimable Lady

 Mrs. Susan McHaney, aged about 70 years, died at 1:30 o'clock on Monday, December 18th, and the interment took place today at 11 o'clock, in Guadalupe cemetery, Rev. H. M. Roland officiating. Mrs. McHaney was an old and highly esteemed lady who had resided in this county for many years. She was a native of Mississippi. Three children, Messrs. Neal and Enoch and Miss Susie McHaney, survive her. Her husband, Mr. C. McHaney, died about five years ago. She was a member of a Baptist church for nearly thirty years, and in her death, the sorrowing relatives have the sympathy of their many friends. 

HARRIET JANE STEPHENS was born 13 Aug 1835 in North Carolina. She married Hayne Shuler 28 Aug 1856 in Gonzales Co TX. The family lived in Gonzales County in 1870 (PO Belmont) and 1880, Hayne farming, Harriet keeping house. Mrs HJ Shuler, widowed, the mother of 11 children, 6 living, continued in Gonzales County in 1900. Her occupation is listed as farmer and she lived on a farm which she owned without a mortgage.

 Pvt Hayne Shuler, commanding officer Capt CE Travis, was in the Texas volunteers, Co E, date of discharge 1854---1855, remarks: 3 mos service, source: Ranger Muster Rolls.

 Also in the Texas, U.S., Muster Roll Index Cards: Pvt Hayne E Shuler, Vol Co, Inf, Caldwell Co, CSA, enlisting 15 June 1861.

 According to the inscription on Hayne E Shuler's stone at the Guadalupe Stephens Cemetery, he died aged 58 years.

 Jane's stone records her deathdate as 11 Mar 1904 and is inscribed She sleeps in the valley so sweet/But her spirit has taken its flight/Lo her form is but dust neath our feet/While she is an angel of light. 

~

Estimable Lady Dead.

The death of Mrs. Jane Shuler was announced at noon today. Her death occurred at her home about five miles east of Gonzales at 11:45 this morning. She took sick last Monday evening with what was thought grip. Mrs. Shuler was 68 years of age and the widow of Haynes Shuler. She will be buried tomorrow in the Stevens Cemetery, but the exact time has not been set. She leaves six children, all grown, and a number of relatives in the county. 

 She was a kind-hearted and lovable old lady, abounding in good works and Christian loving. She was a zealous member of the Baptist church.

 The family is one of the oldest and best known in the county, and her death will be heard with genuine sorrow.

 The funeral services will probably be deferred until the arrival of her two sons, Mr. Tom Shuler, who is expected to arrive this evening and Mr. Lee Shuler, who lives at Paint Rock, and who will be in tomorrow.

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Resolutions of Respect.

God in his wisdom sent his Death Angel and has borne from us on March 11, 1904, Mrs. Jane Shuler, member of the Ladies Cemetery Association. She was the first of our band to be taken and her trials of life are over.

 She leaves six children bowed down with sorrow and grief at their loss, besides many friends who loved her with a true and sympathetic friendship, who will miss her each month as we meet together. Yes, we'll meet, but we shall miss her ; there will be a vacant chair. 

 It is thus that the friends of long ago are one by one passing away.

 Resolved, first, That the cemetery ladies mourn her death with bowed heads and humble hearts, to the will of Him who doeth all things well.

 Second. That we extend to her children our heartfelt sympathy and commend them to God.

 That a copy of these resolutions be spread upon the minutes of the Cemetery Association, and a copy be sent THE GONZALES INQUIRER for publication. 

      Respectfully submitted,

           MRS. GUSSIE REID,

           MRS. EMMA COOKSEY,

           MISS FANNIE YOUNG.

Gonzales, Texas, April 12, 1904

ADELINE M STEPHENS was born in North Carolina or Mississippi 18 October 1837. Living with her family on Peach Creek in Gonzales Co TX in 1850, she married Daniel Brinton Shuler 1 Jul 1857 in Gonzales County. Daniel was the brother of Hayne Shuler who married Adeline's sister Harriet Jane. Brinton (19, born in SC) and Hayne (17, born in SC) were living with their father Joab Shuler in Tennessee in 1850.

 DB Shuler appears as the enslaver of 13 people in the 1860 Gonzales County slave schedule. Daniel, a farmer, and Adeline, keeping house, were living in Gonzales County in 1870 and 1880. DB Shuler, Justice of the Peace, and his wife Adeline were living in Gonzales, Gonzales, Texas in 1900.

 The following obit was printed in the Houston ( TX) Post, 1 Nov 1903:

Justice Shuler Dead.

 Gonzales, Texas October 31.--D. B. Shuler, justice of the peace for precinct No. 1, who has been sick for some time, died at 11 o'clock this morning, aged about 70. He is an old citizen of this county and was a member of the famous Terry's Texas Rangers.

~

The Galveston Daily News, 10 Nov 1903:

 Gonzales, Tex., Nov. 9. The Democratic primary held Saturday, for the purpose of electing a Justice of the Peace to fill the unexpired term of Judge D. B. Shuler, deceased, proved very interesting, and was hotly contested toward the close, and resulted in the election by a good majority of Attorney W. B. Green.

~

  Adeline (widow, head) continued in Gonzales in 1910, her daughter Mattie Pearl Mason and her family living with her.

 Adeline died in Gonzales 4 April 1912 (Texas, U.S., Death Certificates). A transcription of her obituary (Gonzales Inquirer, 6 Apr 1912) appears on her Find a Grave memorial as contributed by Cindy S Munson:

Laid to Rest

The remains of Mrs. Melissa A. Shuler were tenderly laid to rest on Friday afternoon in the Masonic cemetery beside those of her husband the late D. B. Shuler.

Funeral services were conducted at 5 o'clock at the family residence by her pastor, Rev. W. K. Pernod, of the Baptist church, of which she had, for many years, been a faithful member. Rev. Chas. H. Dobbs, pastor of the Presbyterian church assisted in the service.

At the close of the service the procession formed and moved to the Masonic cemetery where the services were concluded and the remains consigned to their last resting place in God's care. Many beautiful flower offerings adorned the newly-made mound, their fragrance mingling with the sacred words of benediction.

The pall bearers were : Messrs. D. U. Ramsey, W. H. Clark, F. B. Baker, W. C. Franks, F. M. Fly and N. W. Hampton.

Mrs. Shuler was the last but one of a family of thirteen children, an aged sister, Mrs. Martha Townsend, some ninety odd years old, surviving her.

She was the mother of ten children, four of whom preceded her to the Heavenly home a number of years ago. May the spirit of the dear mother that has gone on before be but one more link to draw the loved ones remaining into closer communion with the Heavenly Father until the family ties are again bound together about God's throne. 

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 An Historic Texas Cemetery marker for the Gonzales Masonic Cemetery records that Eli Mitchell is among the veterans of the Texas Revolution buried there. The 1864 Gonzales County tax roll records that Eli Mitchell was the original grantee of land owned by Eli Stephens and of DB Shuler by Eli Stephens (Abstract # 285) and of land owned by Hayne E Shuler (Abstract # 285).

JOSEPH E STEPHENS was living with his birth family in Gonzales County in 1850 and 1860. According to census he was born about 1839 in Mississippi.

 Pvt Joseph E Stevens, age 23, joined for duty at Gonzales TX and mustered in at Houston TX 11 Sep 1861 as a member of Co I, 8th Texas Cavalry/Terry's Texas Rangers. He died 24 Nov 1861 at Nashville TN. (Compiled Military Service Records)

ARABELLA 'BELLE' STEPHENS was born in Carroll Co MS 21 April 1843. Arabella (7, MS) was recorded as living in the household of her parents and also as living with her sister Martha and her husband Sherod Townsend in the 1850 Gonzales County census. She was 17 and living with her birth family in 1860. 

 Enoch Steen and Miss Arabella Stephens married 27 Feb 1866 in Gonzales County (Texas, U.S., County Marriage Records). They were in Gonzales County (PO Belmont) in 1870 with one year old Virginia, Enoch farming, Arabella keeping house. They were still living in Gonzales County in 1880 and in 1900, which census recorded the family as living in Precinct 1 and Arabella as the mother of five children, three of them living.

 An obituary for Belle Steen was printed in the Houston (TX) Post 3 Aug 1906:

Mrs. Belle Steen Near Gonzales

(Houston Post Special)

 Gonzales, Texas, August 1.--Mrs. Belle Steen, an old and highly respected resident of this county, died at 1 o'clock this morning at the family residence, five miles east of town. She leaves a husband, E. M. Steen, three children, four grandchildren and a large number of relatives and friends to mourn the loss of a Christian woman and friend. The funeral will take place this afternoon at 5 o'clock at the Stevens and Steen burial ground. 

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 Enoch, a retired farmer, continued in Precinct 1 in Gonzales County in 1910. 

 Pvt Enoch M Steen, Co I, Terry's Texas Rangers, enlisted in 1861 at Gonzales TX and he mustered in at Houston TX 11 Sep 1861. Wounded and captured 3 or 4 Oct 1863 near McMinnville TN, he was received at a military prison in Louisville KY 9 October 1863 and at Camp Morton, Indianapolis IN, 11 Oct 1863. Enoch was transferred for exchange 4 Mar 1865. (CMSR)

 Enoch, 84, a retired farmer, was born 4 Dec 1835 and died of influenza in Gonzales Co TX 29 Jan 1920, father William Steen (death certificate).

 He was buried at the Guadalupe Stephens Cemetery with Arabella. The stone for Enoch Miles Steen gives his deathdate as 31 Jan 1920 and is inscribed He lived as he died a Christian.

NANCY WALKER STEPHENS was born in Carroll Co MS in 1844. She was living with her birth family in Gonzales Co TX in 1850 and 1860.

 Nancy married Lewis Henry Planck, a widower with two small children, 15 Aug 1870 in Gonzales County (Texas, County Marriage Records). The children's mother was Elvira Louisa Hall Steen (1837-1869). 

 Lewis was appointed postmaster in Flemingsburgh, Fleming KY 29 June 1860 (Appointments of U.S. Postmasters). 

 He enlisted 2 Nov 1861 at Piketon KY in Co C, 1st Battalion, Kentucky Mounted Rifles (CMSR). 

 Lewis, a lawyer born in KY, and Nancy, keeping house, were living in Gonzales in 1880.

 Lewis and Nancy are buried at the Gonzales Masonic Cemetery in the Planck family plot. Lewis's stone is inscribed Father/Lewis H./1837-1892, Nancy's Mother/Nancy W./1844-1897.

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lili li née Loretta McKay Masters of Billie Joyce Wilkins (1934-2019) of Maudie McKay (1916-1988) of LaRhetta Thompson (1879-1961) of Fannie Townsend (1857-1929) of Martha Stephens (1831-1919) of Eli Stephens and Susan Thompson

3 April 2024