Walter Jackson "Bunk" Courts

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 1900, Coryell Co, Texas
• Census: 1920, Proctor, Comanche Co, Texas
• Census: 1930, Comanche Co, Texas

Notes:

also in Comanche co, a
Mollie H Court, age 26, listed as sis in law to head of house:
Will E Thomas 35
wife Birdie K 35
son Rufus J son, 8
Ruby L dau 6
Winnie R dau 2 10/12
Vandivers,Thelma I step dau 13
Vandivers, Jesse W step son 11
all born in TX -- this family unk

Census:
Walter Courts 23 Aug 1876 married 1899 Texas Texas Texas
Mandy Courts 23 Jul 1876 Texas Mississippi Mississippi
Dewey Courts 8/12 Oct 1899 Texas Texas Texas

Vandiver C G Head male Dec 1831 68 Married 30 1870 Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee
Vandiver Mary Wife Nov 1850 49 married 30 1870 Texas Mississippi Illinois
Vandiver Elisia Son May 1879 21 Texas Tennessee Texas
Vandiver James Son Jun 1883 16 Texas Tennessee Texas
Vandiver George Son Jun 1883 16 Texas Tennessee Texas
Vandiver Lula Daughter Sep 1886 13 Texas Tennessee Texas

Vandiver William Head Oct 1870 29 married 9 yrs 1891 Texas Tennessee Texas
Vandiver B M Wife Jul 1874 25 Married 9 1891 Arkansas Missouri Missouri
Vandiver Margarett Daughter Jul 1892 7 Texas Texas Arkansas
Vandiver Pierce Son Jan 1874 6 Texas Texas Arkansas
Vandiver Herbert Son Jan 1897 3 Texas Texas Arkansas
Vandiver Graves Son Aug 1898 1 Texas Texas Arkansas



Census:
Walter J Court 43
Amanda A Court 43
Dewey W Court 20
Sam H Court 12


Census:
residence 39
Court Walter J Head 53 1877 m at age 22 Texas Texas Texas farmer
Court Amanda A Wife 53 1877 Texas Louisiana Texas
Court Houston S Son 22 1908 Texas Texas Texas

Walter's son: residence 43:
Court Dewey W Head 30 1900 m age 21 Texas Texas Texas farmer
Court Lottie Wife 25 1905 m age 16 Texas Texas Arkansas
Court Alhune Daughter 8 1922 Texas Texas Texas
Court Dorthy Daughter 5 1925 Texas Texas Texas
Court Charles W Son 2 1928 Texas Texas Texas
Court Nelda Daughter 0 2/12 (Feb) 1930 Texas Texas Texas


Died:
d.c. 63 years old, farmer, married, Mrs. W.J. Court, residence, Proctor, Comanche Co, Texas,
Father, Tom Court, Texas; mother Ella Codell
informant, Dewey Court, Proctor, Texas
(son)

Walter married Amanda Adaline "Mandy" Bailey in 1898 in Texas. Amanda was born in 1877 in Oglesby, Texas; died on 29 Aug 1956 in Dublin, Erath Co, Texas; was buried on 30 Aug 1956 in Roach Cem, Dublin, Comanche Co, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Dewey Walter Court was born on 09 Oct 1899 in Texas; died on 13 Jan 1951 in Dublin, Erath Co, Texas; was buried on 14 Jan 1951 in Proctor Cem, Proctor, Comanche Co, Texas.
2. Ted Court was born on 4 Jan 1902 in Texas; died on 2 Oct 1976 in Wichita Falls, Wichita Co, Texas.
3. Sam Houston "Deets" Court was born on 5 Jul 1907 in Texas; died in Apr 1976 in Dublin, Erath Co, Texas.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Military: Civil War
• Census: 23 Jun 1870, Sparks and River Settlement, Jefferson Co, Texas
• Census: 1880, San Saba Co, Texas

Notes:

The Confederate Veterans from Texas: He was in the 11th (Spaight's) Battalion Volunteers Company A. This company trained and camped at Spindletop Oil Field in the early part of the Civil War.

1870 Census, Jefferson Co, Sparks & River Settlement,
living w/ Caroline Sparks, 27 y.o., farmer, TX

In 1880 San Saba Census (p 438), he indicates that both parents were born in England.
(Precinct 9; June 4, 1880) Received Confederate pension.


Martin Clifton Court told stories to his grandsons about his father, Thomas Jefferson Court, using an alias and hiding out from the law for a period of time. Thomas has been found on the 1880 Census in San Saba County, Texas. I thought the following excerpt about the history of that county was interesting.

"During the 1880s lawlessness became a problem, and the county experienced a period of "mob rule." In response, citizens formed an anti-mob organization. However, factions developed within the organization, and by 1896 the competing groups wee conducting what amounted to open warfare. After a number of men were killed, the Texas Rangers were dispatched to the area, and order was eventually restored."

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Alma Ward Hamrick, The Call of the San Saba: A History of San Saba County (San Antonio: Naylor, 1941; 2d ed., Austin: Jenkins, 1969). San Saba County History (San Saba, Texas: San Saba County Historical Commission, 1983).

__

C.S.A. Information:
3 Aug 1915 - 15 Jun 1917 , Hesse, Comanche County, Texas

Thomas J. served in the military Civil War, 1 Oct 1861 to 27 Mar 1865 in Texas. The records show that T. J. Court, private, Company A, 11th (Spaight's) Battalion Texas Volunteers, C.S.A. enlisted October 1, 1861. The battallion, except Company B, became a part of 212st (Spaight's) Texas Infantry, C.S.A. There were no rolls on file per the regiment. His name is listed on the archive muster roll.

Per Sarah's application he was in the Captain Marshes Company

Seth Davis, living in the County of Dallas wrote: I was in Company A, Marshes Cavalry and served with Tom Courts in that Company. He made a good soldier and served until the close of the war. I am not personally acquainted with Mrs. Courts.

Sarah applied for his pension on 3 Aug 1915 and received it from1 Dec 1915 until her death in March of 1917. Sarah was living in Hesse, Texas, Comanche County at the time of the request and her death.

Mary "Mollie", Tom and Sarah's youngest daughter, wrote a letter to the War Department asking that the last pension check be returned to her because it was needed to pay for "sickness and burial expenses". She said the post office returned it before she had an opportunity to collect it. She was denied.

See File # 31804 - State of Texas - County of Comanche.

(from Byrda)

Military:
Name: Thomas J Court
Rank at enlistment: Private
State Served: Texas
Service Record: Enlisted in Company A, Texas 11th Cavalry Battalion.

Sources: Index to Compiled Confederate Military Service Records

__
Name: T J Courts
Rank at enlistment: Private
State Served: Texas
Service Record: Enlisted in Company A, Texas 21st Infantry Regiment.

Sources: Index to Compiled Confederate Military Service Records



Census:
C. Spark 50 widow 1820 S.C. (Carolyn, wid of Solomon)
Edwin Spark 23 Louisiana
Joseph Spark 16 Texas
Oscar Spark 14 Joseph
J.B. Coat 27 Texas (poorly transcribed - T.J. Court)

next door to James Courts and Melinda Sparks

Census:
Thomas J. Court 37 1843 Texas England England
Sarah E. Court 24 1856 Texas TN MO
Martha J. Court 6 1874
Walter J. Court 4 1876
Ida J. Court 2 1878
Martin C. Court 1 1879


Died:
Ted Court (son of Walter J, son of Thomas Jefferson) had in his records that Thomas Jefferson Court committed suicide in a grainary
Committed suicide in a granary/barn. The family had lost their farm during the depression of the 90's so family story has it and he was depressed.
(from Jann Webb)

Thomas married Sarah Ellen Caddell on 14 Jun 1867 in Blanco, Blanco Co, Texas. Sarah (daughter of Andrew Bell Caddell and Susan "Sussie" Sparks) was born in Jan 1854 in Guadalupe Co, Texas; died on 16 Mar 1917 in Hasse, Comanche Co, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 1880, San Saba Co, Texas
• Census: 1900, Coryell Co, Texas

Notes:

spelling "Candell" n son Martin Clifton's d.c.
She states her father was born in TN and mother in Missouri.
Received Confederate Pension.

Name:
nobody knew how to spell her name!
Children's D.C.'s -
Martin Clifton DC: Candell
Walter Jackson DC: Codell
Ida Jane DC: Caddell
Thomas Jefferson DC: Cawdell

Other Events and Attributes:

• Immigration: 1826, "Delas," sailed from Liverpool, England to New Orleans
• Residence: Abt 1831, Lavaca Bay region, Texas
• Residence: 1832, Sabine Pass, Jefferson Co, Texas
• Residence: Between 1836 and 1845, Sabine Pass, Jefferson Co, Texas; Republic of Texas
• Property: 13 Apr 1838, Palo Pinto Co, Texas
• Property: Bef 1 May 1838, Jefferson Co, Texas

Notes:

Moved to Texas in 1829 according to 1850 Jefferson Co, Census.

Edmond Speer - Jul 19, 2001 View | Viewers | Reply to this item
I just returned from a trip to North Texas where Kittie and I made a jog over to the head waters of the Palo Pinto river, where, as I take it , Thomas Courts was given a section of land by the Texas government somewhere around 1838. He then sold it shortly after his death, around 1852. Acording to historical markers, Anglo settlers did not arrive untill around the 1850s. When we get upstairs some day we are going to have to talk to him about this, because it is a beautiful place. There is a large power plant setting at the head of the river, and some very nice homes thru that area. The sceanery was great and peaceful.
Judy Armstrong had a plat of the exact location of this property. I will try to obtain a copy of it from her husband or sister next time I get to Beaumont.

__________
Birth estimated by Kirby's account that his father said Thomas was an "old man" when he drowned. A conflicting story of his drowning is that rather than returning to England for possessions, he had a boat that he hauled timber with and subsequently drowned in Galveston Bay. According to this account, he and James Madison and his other sons were raftsmen and hauled timber a good portion of their lives. Henry Clifton, a grandson, hauled timber till he was 76 years old. James Cole, son of Henry, also worked timber until 1932 when the industry shut down.
__________
(notes of Kirby Courts:)
These facts are known about Thomas Court. He was in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, in 1828; a marriage certificate for he and Anna Johnson are recorded.
Thomas and Anna came to Texas in 1828 or 1829; he is listed in the Book "1830 Citizens of Texas" by Gifford White. This book was a census of the 6,500 pre-Revolutionary Texans. Thomas was the 162nd applicant for a land grant from Steven Ftin in 1829. It was granted in 1838. The grant was for one league 4,428.4 acres plus 177.1 acres in Jefferson County, Texas. "1840 Citizens of Texas Land Grants Vol 3."
The Jefferson Co Clerk's Report for 1838 lists Thomas Court as a pioneer in Jefferson Co. Thomas never shows up on a census report taken in 1840 or 1850. His last child, Paul Phelan, was born in March 1846. Thomas probably died before thsus of 1850. This assumption is made due to Anna being wed to Enos Burrows in October 1851 (Jefferson Co Marriage Book Pg 6).
Where did Thomas Court come from? In the census of Colonial America, they list: John Court, Maryland Colony in 1642; John Court, Dobbs Co, North Carolina in 1769; M. Court, Somerset Co, New Jersey in 1778; W. Court, Somerset Co, New Jern 1780. Could he be a soldier of the English Military that fought against Andrew Jackson in the Battle of New Orleans in the War of 1812? This battle was fought two weeks after England had surrendered to the U.S. The soldiers were released after this battle. Did he stay in America?
In going through the census reports for the U.S., I have found hundreds of Court and Courts listed in every state of the Union. They are listed in all possessions of the British Empire. At this point I can go no further than I have with s Court. My gut feeling is he was from the Eastern part of the U.S.
________
"A History of Jefferson County, Texas from Wilderness to Reconstruction" by
W.T. Block ( a SIGNED copy, no less!), 1976

pg 22 -
After John McGaffey moved to Sabine Pass in 1832, he was joined in the same year by Thomas Courts, an Englishman, who had abandoned the Lavaca Bay region because of hostile Indians.55 In 1835, McGaffey applied for a land grant at Sabine, but, shortly after Dr. John A. Veatch completed the league's survey in November, 1835, the Nacogdoches land office closed. There is no record of other settlers at Sabine Pass until Benjamin Johnson and Jacob H. Garner, McGaffey's brothers-in-law, moved there in April 1838.56
"http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~txjeffer/history/Block/Jefferson_County_History/Chapter05.htm

Has a note that this came from "History of the Thomas Courts Family, Port Arthur News, undated clipping, circa 1938, copy owned by WT Block

pg 25 - "In her 'Story of Beaumont', Florence Stratton stated that Captain George W. Hargraves commanded a militia company of sixty-two men at Beaumont in August, 1835, and was en route to San Jacinto with twenty-one
men when the battle was fought."
A list of the men follows with the last on the list being Jim Courts...in a footnote, WTB states that some members on the list may have been too young...census records and tombstones indicate that Courts was born in 1829...

pg 96 - "The greater concentration of Germans settled ib mid-Jefferson County, and by 1860, comprised one-half of the one hundred persons residing at Smith's Bluff and Grigsby's Bluff, where a post office was established
in 1859." "The German population at Grigsby's Bluff included William, Charles, and George Christian Gentz..."
from: Julia Brittain - judyb@pdq.net (She is a descendent of McGaffey)
===========================
[23 June 1842]

Republic of Texas
County of Jefferson

Know all men by these presents that I Thomas
Court, for and in consideration of the sum of
one hundred and fifty Dollars to me in hand
paid by Niles F. Smith the [??] of which is hereby
acknowledged here this day. Granted, Bargained, sold
and Conveyed and by these presents doth grant, bargain
sell and convey unto the said Niles F. Smith his heirs
and assigns forever the following described piece
or parcel of land situated in Jefferson County --
To Wit -- One Labor of Land surveyed off of my
head right League + Labor -- West am adjoining the
survey of one League of land made for John McGaffey
on the Sabine Pass said Labor of land is the
same surveyed by Corday sometime last November or
December [??] said Thos. Courts --

To have and to hold said labor of land to him the said Niles F. Smith, his heirs and assigns with all the rights and
... And the said Court will
warrant and defined the said labor of
land to him the said Niles F. Smith, his heirs and
assigns forever.

In testiment to which I
have herewith set my hand +
seal this 23 dy of June 18[42]

Witnesses -- Thomas Court

Charles C. Burch
[James] Smith

----------------------------------------------
[9 June 1851]

The State of Texas
County of Jefferson
Before me J. W. Hutchings a
Notary Public in aforesaid
county and State this day personally appeared Charles
C. Burch, a subscribing witness to the within + forgoing
deed and being by me duly sworn, deposes + says that he
saw Thomas Court sign the same + heard him acknowl.
edge it to be his act + deed for the purposes
and considerations therein stated.
In Testimony ...
hereunto ...
+ appeared this witness
the seal of my office at
Sabine Pass this 9th dy of
June A.D. 1851
J. H. Hutchings
Notary Public

===========================
Notice

Is hereby given that on this 15th day of
June A.D. 1854 -- William Lewis has filed
his application for Letters of Administration
upon the Estate of Thomas Court
deceased. Sue Pilsow having objections
will file the same in accordance with law.

Beaumont June 15th A.D. 1854

J.K. Robertson clerk county court
Jefferson County
--------------------------------
[15 July 1854]

I do solomnly swear that Thomas
Court Sr. died without leaving any
lawful will for us I know or
believe and that I will andd
truly perform all the duties of
administration of the said Thomas
Court, Deceased.
William Lewis
--------------------------------
[undated]

To the Hon. Chief Justice
Your petitioner William Lewis at the request
of Some of the ... of the Estate of Thomas Sr. Court
applies for letters of administration on the Estate
said Thomas Court Sr. who died in Jefferson County
in debt and a resident citizen of said county.
William Lewis
Applicant
------------------------------------------------------------
[ca. Summer 1855]

Will be sold at Public Auction at the Court House
door at Beaumont Jefferson County on the first
Tuesday of September A.D. 1855 in pursuance of an
order of the Probate Court of said county so much
of the Headright League of Land of Thomas Court
belonging to the Estate of Thomas Court deceased.
Situated in McClennon County in the Palo Pinto river
as will be sufficient to make five hundred dollars.
Reference is had to the Patent now on file in the
County Clerk's Office for a more particular description
of said Lands -- Terms of Sale Twelve Months Credit

William Lewis, admin.
of Thomas Court deceased
-----------------------------------------------------------
Administration of Thomas P. Courts

To Wm Armstrong Sr.
to locating surveying one League of Land the
Headright of Thos. Court 85.00
for recording field notes 3.00
fees paid on patent 12.60
Total: 100.60

Pay the above account to James Armstrong or
D. J. Otho Millard
Wm Armstrong


State of Texas
Jefferson County
Personally came
before me the undersigned Justice of the
Peace, James Armstrong attorney for Willi-
am Armstrong who after being sworn
according to law, says under oath that
this claim is just and that all legal
offsets, payments and credits known to
the applicant have been allowed, and
signed his name.
James Armstrong

Sworn to and subscribed before me
this 13th day of July A.D. 1855
John K. Robertson
Justice of peace
J.C.
______________________________
[28 Apr 1857]

Notice

Is hereby given that on this 28th day of April A.D.
1857, Niles F. Smith has filed his application
for Letters of Administration on the Estate of
Thomas Court, Deceased. Any person having
objections will file the Same within two days in
accordance with law.

Beaumont April 28th A.D. 1857

J.K. Robertson clerk county court
Jefferson County
-----------------------------------------------------------
[8 September 1857]
To the Sherrif of Said County, Greeting.
Whereas the County Court for said Conuty
at the August ... thereof on the 31st day of ...
Month made and entered of record its order
in the following words, viz--

Matter of Est. of
Ths. Court Dec'd Est.
Wm. Lewis Adm. Ordered by the Court that the
Administrator in this Matter
come forward and exhibit to this court the
condition of the Estate of the Said decedent.
Therefore you are hereby commanded to
notify the Said Administrator viz William Lewis
If he be found in your county that he is hereby
required to be and appear before the said court
to be holden in for said county at the court
house in the town of Beaumont on the last
Monday the 28th day of September A.D. 1857
there to comply with the foregoing order.
Herein fail not +c.
In testimony whereof I hereunto
set my hand affix my seal of office
... this wnd this 8th day of
September A.D. 1857
[G.H.O. Bozan] Clerk
Clerk Jeff.Co.
--------------------------------------------------------
Timeline
1810: - Anna Johnson born in LA
1828:Aug 19 -Thomas Court marries Anna Johnson
1829 - Thomas Court comes to Texas
1828-30 - James Madison Court is born
1834:Feb 14 - Sarah Ann Court is born
1837:Jan 31 - Rachel Court is born
1838:Apr 13 - certificate 162 entitles Thomas Court to land
1840:Dec 24 - Lucritia Debethia Court is born
1840:Sep 21 - Courts register brands:
Thomas (the Englishman?)
James (if son, aged 11. Is that normal? Or is this someone else??)
John
(a Sarah EB and Rachel are listed just above with some Clarks)
1842:Jun 23 - Thomas Court sells one labor of land to Niles F. Smith for $150
1844 - Paul Phelan Court is born
1848:Jul 21 - James Courts registers brand -- a different one
1850 - James marries Julia Ann Sparks. Thomas not listed in census.
1851:Mar 12 - land granted to Thomas Court by the State of Texas
1851:Jun 3 - Sarah Court registers a brand - a different one from before
1852:Jun 09 - Charles C Burch swears he saw Thomas Court sign [something]
1852 - Sarah Ann marries Lewis King
1854:Jun 15 - Wm Lewis files app for Letters of Admin on estate of Thos Court
1854:Jul 15 - Wm Lewis swears Thos Court left no will & he (Wm) will carry out admin
1854:Aug 18 - Wm Lewis appointed administrator of Estate of Thos. Court
1855:Jul 13 - Niles F Smith files grievance. Has not been given possession of land bought in '42
1855:Jul 30 - Wm Lewis accepts claim of Niles F Smith. Niles asks payment of $306 be made to Wm Burgett, who apparently represented him. ($150 plus 8% interest over 13 years)
1855:Jul 30 - Wm Lewis asks premission to auction off land to pay $406 debt plus expenses ($306 plus admin costs)
1855:Sep - 1st Tues - Admin Sale on steps of courthouse - enough of land in McClennon Co to raise $500
- Wm Burgett 1388 acres of head right at 35 cents an acre to be divided between him and the heirs
1856:Apr 18 - James Madison Court sells his one-seventh of the land to Wm Burgett
1857:Apr 28 - Niles F Smith files app for Letters of Admin on Thos Court estate
1857:Sep 08 - Wm Lewis called to court to report on Court estate on Monday 28 Sep 1857.
1857:Sep 24 - Sales earned $499.68, paid debts to Niles F Smith and ?Wm Armstrong
1857:Oct 26 - Wm Lewis says all debts paid, some land left in Palo Pinto County
1857:Nov 30 - Court fees of $8.85 paid
1860:Mar 18 - Rachel marries Henry Clay Smith
1861:Sep 20 - TJ Court enlists Co A Spaight's Batallion (Muster Roll)
1861:Oct 01 - TJ Court enlists Co A Spaight's Batallion (Pension Records)
1867:Jun 14 - TJ Court married S.E. in Blanco county, TX
1868:Oct 01 - Julia Ann Court registers a brand
1870:May 23 - H. C. Court registers a brand
1870:Oct 03 - Clifton Courts registers a brand
1873:Oct 20 - Wm G. Courts registers a brand
1888:Sep 01 - Matt Court registers a brand
1898:Mar 16 - Helmer Courts registers a brand
1898:Jun 25 - ?ay Courts registers a brand
1902:May 08 - Emma Courts registers a brand
1908:Nov 25 - TJ Court died in Comanche County
1917:Mar 16 - Widow of TJ Court, S.E., dies in Hasse, TX.

Christened:
Baptism: 5 Jan 1800 St Mary the Virgin, Blackburn, Lancashire, England
Thomas Court - Son of Thomas Court & Ellen
Abode: Blackburn
Register: Baptisms 1792 - 1812, Page 128, Entry 12
Source: Film 1278804
http://www.lan-opc.org.uk/Blackburn/Blackburn-Central/stmary/baptisms_1800.html


http://www.lan-opc.org.uk/Blackburn/Blackburn-Central/stmary/index.html

Baptisms at the church of St Mary the Virgin
in the Parish of Blackburn
Baptism Register: 1792 - 1812
Baptisms for the Year 1800


Immigration:
(from Debbie)
The following is an e-mail from a very nice lady named Diane Francis. I found her on a forum looking for info on her Cort, Ainsworth lines. Her reply gives me hope that we have at last found when and where Thomas Court entered the U.S. I'm still investigating, but wanted to share the news. I have asked her for more information and will let you all know as soon as I receive her reply. This is her e-mail to me:

Hi Debbie
I'm not sure that your ancestors are related as we don't have any Thomas Cort born around that time. I have however looked up passenger lists for the years 1820 /1830 and there is listed a Thomes Court, age unknown , who arrived in USA 1826.
Ship: Delas
Port of departure Liverpool
Port of Arrival: New Orleans
Date of Arival: March 2, 1826.
This would tie in with your dates. There are severals strands of the Cort family in the Lancashire area. Also the family of Henry Cort the inventor. They came from Lancaster.Hope this is of some use. If there is anything I can do , let me know.
Good hunting
Di.

---
"Maybe someday one of us will luck out and find more info or the actual manifest somewhere. I could try writing New Orleans, but have no idea where to even start on to get the listing. Do you have any ideas."

Note; found Ship Delis Liverpool, England to Boston, Massachusetts
25 September 1826 master: Joseph Hatch Junior
http://immigrantships.net/1800/delos18260925.html


Residence:
After John McGaffey moved to Sabine Pass in 1832, he was joined in the same year by Thomas Courts, an Englishman, who had abandoned the Lavaca Bay region because of hostile Indians.

55 History of The Thomas Courts Family, Port Arthur News, undated clipping, circa 1938, copy owned by the writer.
(W.T. Block)


Residence:
per historical marker in Lions Park in Sabine Pass


Property:
Property surveyed on May 3rd, 1850.


Property:
List compiled 1 May 1838, Jefferson County, recorded in Beaumont.
Thomas Court 1 league and labor Immigrated to country (Texas) 1829)

Thomas* married Ann* Johnson on 19 Aug 1828 in Opelousas, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana. Ann* (daughter of Moses** Johnson and Nancy** Anna Robert) was born in 1810 in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana; died after 1860 in of, Calhoun Co, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: Abt 1831, Lavaca Bay region, Texas
• Census: 08 Oct 1850, Sabine Pass, Jefferson Co, Texas
• Census: 19 Jun 1860, Aransas, Refugio Co, Texas
• Census: 18 Jul 1860, Calhoun Co (Precinct 4), Texas; P.O. Saluria Island

Notes:

Marriage Bond:
Bonded by Thomas Court and James Cole - witnessed by David Simmons and Ben B. Jefferson.
License: Witnesses: Jake & David Simmons; performed by Isham Nettles, Baptist minister.
Certificate: Ben B. Jefferson and David Simmons

Benjamin B. Jefferson was one of the witnesses attending to the sale account of the estate of Nancy Sullivan on September 15, 1929

Note: Daughters of Moses Johnson and Nancy Roberts -
1. Anna m Thomas Court 2. Marie m James Hayes, Sr.
child James Madison Court child James Hayes, Jr.
child Helmer Samuel Courts child Matilda Hayes
child Claudie Gentz
Helmer Samuel Courts m Claudie Gentz, 1st cousins, once removed.

1850 Jeff Co census shows Anna head of household with only Lucretia and Paul Phelan, ages 10 and 6, living at home.

1860 Rufugio census:
Enis Burrows 59 Blacksmith, $300 (value personal real estate) ?
Ann 52 LA
Paul 14 TX

Residence:
After John McGaffey moved to Sabine Pass in 1832, he was joined in the same year by Thomas Courts, an Englishman, who had abandoned the Lavaca Bay region because of hostile Indians.

Census:
8 oct 1850 Sabine Pass
(census pages does not say "Sabine Pass" but the census taker was Worth Patridge, who was a prominent citizen of Sabine Pass)

residence 99
Anna Court 40 1810 Louisiana
Lucretia 10 1840 Texas
Paul P. 6 1846 Texas

residence 100
Francis Gallier (Sr) 50 farmer 1800 Louisiana
Mary 52 1798 Louisiana
Eliza Myers 14 1836 Louisiana
Melissa Ann 6 1844 Louisiana

(Eliza and Melissa Myers, Mary's orphaned granddaughters, children of her daughter Amelia Hayes and Benjamin Myers.)

residence 101
Francis Gallier, Jr. 30 1820 farmer Louisiana
Mary 35 1815 Louisiana
Amelia 9 1841 Louisiana
Adelia 7 1843 Louisiana
Mary E 2 1848 Louisiana
Quinton 1/12 1850 Texas
John Acres 19 1831 Louisiana

residence 102
Robert Burrell 47 1803 farmer Louisiana
Susannah 46 1804 Louisiana
David 15 Texas 1835 Texas
Hester 12 1838 Texas
Frederick 7 1843 Texas




Census:
residence 21
Burris Enos 58 1802 England black smith 400
Burris Anna 52 1808 Louisiana
Burris Paul 14 1846 Texas

residence 22
DeForest John 33 1827 New York sailor 500
DeForest Lucrecia 17 1843 Texas (Court)
DeForest Thomas 2 1858 Texas
DeForest Robert 1 1859 Texas

Census:
Burris Enos 58 1802 England black smith 400
Burris Anna 52 1808 Louisiana
DeForrist John 35 1825 New York sailor 500
DeForrist Lucrecia 17 1843 Texas (Court)
DeForrist Paul F.C. 15 1845 Texas (Court)

Notes:

Married:
Court, Thomas of England (Thomas & Ellen Anesworth) m 19 Aug 1828 Ann Johnson (Opel Ct hse mar # 51)

Andrew married Susan "Sussie" Sparks about 1850 in Coryell Co, Texas. Susan (daughter of John Sparks and Joanna Parkman) was born about 1825 in Mississippi; died on 8 Apr 1878 in Coryell Co, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Research Notes: 15 Jun 2013; FFDNA match

Notes:

other Courts not ID'd.

1830 Natchitoches, Louisiana, p 89 No Twp listed
James Courts (could not find on reel)

Courts found in 1840 Louisiana- Terrebonne Parish:
D Court (20-30) 1810-1820
female (20-30) 1810-1820
2 males ( < 5) 1835-1840
3 females (<5) 1835-1840

T. Le Court (30-40) 1800-1810 (not Thomas, he was in Texas)
female (30-40) 1800-1810
1 male (< 5) 1835-1840
1 female (< 5) 1835-1840
2 females (5-10) 1830-1835

Court, Martin m Marie Richard In death record of Marie Richard dated 1821 (SM Ch v 4, #1547)
Richard, Marie m Martin Court, d Jun 1821 at age 60 yrs (SM Ch v 4 # 1457)

NOTE: Who is this Martin Court? Must have been born abt 1760, putting him in age range of Thomas' grandfather. Records from St. Mary the Virgin church in Blackburn did not record a Martin. but the name and place make it seem reasonable he is of some relation.

There is a Martin C Court, son of Thomas Jefferson Court, in Fannin Co, TX 1920 and 1930 Childress; but no apparent relation other than the name.


Christened:
Baptism: 1 Aug 1784 St Mary the Virgin, Blackburn, Lancs.
Thos Court - Son of James Court & Nancy
Born: 7 Jul
Abode: Blackburn
Register: Baptisms 1773 - 1791, Page 70, Entry 37
Source: LDS Film 1278778

Research Notes:
Name Peter Francis Ward
E-mail peterfward@yahoo.com
Haplogroups
Y-DNA I1 Shorthand I-M253
mtDNA V1a1

matched 6/7/2013
4th cousin remote
shared cM 29.94
longest block 13.29
(no surnames given, only gedcom)

GEDCOM for Peter Francis Ward
https://my.familytreedna.com/gedcom-viewer.aspx?gedType=paternal&kn=7hgJ0h7v6vI%3d

names like Ward, Hindle, Ductworth, Cook, Sharples, Whalley and others all from Blackburn and/or surrounding areas of Lancashire England are represented. Some of these names are showing up as connections to the Court family, even as our directs; reassuring that our Courts are descended from the Blackburn Courts.

Thomas* married Ellen* Ainesworth about 1799 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England. Ellen* (daughter of John* Ainsworth and Ellen* Ainsworth) was born before 5 Apr 1782 in St Mary the Virgin, Blackburn, Lancashire, England; was christened on 5 Apr 1782 in St Mary the Virgin, Blackburn, Lancashire, England; died in 1841 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Edmond Speer - Jul 19, 2001
I just found a web site FAMILY SEARCH .ORG.
in it I found a marriage date of an Ellen Anesworth to a Thomas Court in 1802 in England. But it did not give a town. There were quite a few Thomas Courts listed there between 1790 and 1810
______________


Christened:
Baptism: 5 Apr 1782 St Mary the Virgin, Blackburn, Lancs.
Ellen Ainsworth - [Child] of John Ainsworth & Ellen
Abode: Blackburn
Register: Baptisms 1773 - 1791, Page 49, Entry 30
Source: LDS Film 1278778

another Ellen, near same age:
Baptism: 14 May 1780 St Mary, Blackburn, Lancashire, England
Ellen Ainsworth - Daughter of James Ainsworth & Jane
Abode: Pleasington
Register: Baptisms 1773 - 1791, P 39, No 55
Source: Film 1278778


Died:
death: COURT, Ellen 1841 March Blackburn Lancashire
Vol 21 Pg 1
COURT, Ellen
Record Type: Deaths
Quarter: March
Year: 1841
District: Blackburn
County: Lancashire
Volume: 21
Page: 1

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 1790, Cheraws Dist, St. Thomas Co, South Carolina
• Residence: 1791, Natchez, Mississippi
• Residence: 1794, Natchez, Mississippi
• Residence: 20 Sep 1796, Opelousas, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana; wit sis-in-law marriage
• Residence: 07 Aug 1803, Opelousas, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana; 1st 5 kids bt
• Census: 1820, Opelousas, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana

Notes:

Pure speculation and guess that Moses could be son to Joseph and brother Henry Issac.

Debbie has in her tree that he might be son of Burrell Johnson, 1755-Dec 1823 Edgefield, South Carolina and Marie Joesphe Lord, 1755 KY - 15 Jun 1785 St. Jacques, Quebec, Canada, and suggests he had a brother Francis 1777-1798.

"Jesse" came from a guess that the abstractor made of the name of Ann's father at the time of her marriage to Thomas Court in the St. Landry marriage license #51. The notation shows _ _ _ e & Nancy Roberts with "Jesse" filled in above the dashes.

Wit: Robert, Susanne (Benjamin & Elizabeth Cole) m 20 Sept 1796 Jacob Welsh. Also Wit John Moore, Andrew Walsh, Robins.

On August 7, 1803, they had all their children (first four born at this time) baptized at the same time.

1810 Rapides Par Census:
Moses Johnston - listed 45+
1 male, 2 female under 10 - Amand, Eliz, John
2 males, 1 female 10-16 - Ben, Abraham, Marie
1 male 16-26 - Solomon Green
1 male 45+ Moses
1 female 26-45 Nancy

also listed in Rapides:
William Johnston 00012-00100-00
Josiah S. Johnston 01300-00000-15

According to the 1820, St.Landry, census, there were residents counted that do not show up later. They were two boys under 10 yrs old; three men age 26-45; one girl age 10 to 16; and two girls ages 16-26.

from Carole: That is not the census data that I have. He was somewhere in St. Landry Parish when I found it... the data included 7 children!! The 1820 census
reads as follows:

301321 422000 5

1830 Louisiana: No listing for Moses Johnson

Found on GenWeb Pennsylvania that a John Roberts and John Lyons emigrated from Cork, Ireland on the brig "Freemason" entering America on 27 Dec. 1764. Possible connection??
______________
Dianne Peoples: As far as your question about Moses and James L. being brothers. Iv'e never heard this info before. In Gen Erbon Wise's book, Wise Footsteps from England and Ireland, p.57, he thinks that Moses and Francis Johnson were the sons of Burrell Johnson. Burrell was b.c1755,
SC. I will warn you that some don't hold this book in high regard.

LV Hayes: Her opinion of Wise's book is certainly on the money. It contains errors and scrambled data on many families. I understand that a revision is to be published some time this year, but I haven't picked up word of Wise checking with anybody, so I don't know if it's going to be any better.

DP: Houston Tracy Jr. tells me that he thinks Moses traveled with Rev Joseph Willis from SC to Natchz District c1794.

LVH: Yeah, there's a tale going around that Willis led like Moses a whole caravan of families from SC (some versions have NC) to LA. I don't buy it. The Pevoto book mentions documents that may locate Moses in the Natchez area in 1794. There's much uncertain about this family, but the eldest daughter, Isabelle, was baptized at Opelousas in 1803, so Moses got to St Landry Parish by then. He's not on the 1810 census, however.

DP: The 1860 Rapides Parish Census states that Moses' son, John L. was born c1802 KY. He was, however, baptized in St. Landry Parish, LA in 1803. It seems that the more you know, the more confused you get.

LVH: John L. also appears to be on the 1826 Atascosita census where his birth place is also identified as KY.
_______________
Date: 8/30/98 10:42:40 PM Central Daylight Time
From: smjtree@sprynet.com (Steve Johnson/Michelle Johnson)
To: Lumoto@aol.com

The Acadian Johnson/Jeansonne Family Assoc will be hosting a world wide family reunion in Marksville, la. next August, 1999 as part of the CMA-Louisiana 1999 Acadian Families Reuion. If your Jeansonne family came from Opelousas then you are a member of this Acadian family since our family started in Opelousas after coming here from Acadia in the 1760"s. For more info on the assoc please reply and info will be sent to you....Steven johnson Eunice, la.
_____________
Date: 9/1/98 10:09:51 PM Central Daylight Time
From: tjjeansonne@worldnet.att.net (T.J. Jeansonne)
Reply-to: tjjeansonne@worldnet.att.net
To: Lumoto@AOL.COM

Sherry,
I have researched the information that you supplied on your Johnson lineage.
Everything that I was able to come up with agreed with the data that you supplied, but I was unable to tie you in to the JEANSONNE branch. I did locate a Moise Johnson (born 1755). He was the son of Jean-Baptiste (Joseph) Johnson, Sr. and Marie-Josephe Laure. No record of place of
birth, but he was probably born in Canada. I don't know if this is the same Moses "Jesse" Johnson that you referred to.
You should probably check with a cousin of mine who has done a lot of research on the Johnson/Jeansonne family. In fact he has a book out titled GENEALOGY OF THE JOHNSON AND RELATED FAMILIES . His name is Floyd E. Johnson Sr. and his address is:
1302 Estelle St., Hattiesburg, MS 39402-2719. Phone (601) 258-3300.
If Floyd can tie you in to our JEANSONNE/JOHNSON lineage, please let me know so I can include you and your family in our database for future reference.
Hope this has been some help. If I can be of further assistance, let me know..
Tom Jeansonne
Opelousas, LA

_____________
Reply-to: tjjeansonne@worldnet.att.net
To: Lumoto@AOL.COM

Sherry -
The following is the url for the JEANSONNE/JOHNSON website:
http://www.geocities.com/BourbonStreet/5075/index.html

The Webmaster (Kathryn Coombs) informs me that she is in the process of finding a new "home" for it, therefore a lot of the links which you click on will give you an ERROR 404 NOT FOUND. She assures me that she is working on getting the site up and running real soon.
Tom
_________________
>>Yeah, there's a tale going around that Willis led like Moses a whole caravan of families from SC (some versions have NC) to LA.
>
>Y'all are way up on me here. Haven't seen the books and don't know who Willis is.

An interesting character. Born the son of a white plantation owner and an indian slave in Robeson Co, NC, he became the first protestant minister and founded the first protestant church west of the Mississippi or at least
that's how the tale goes. He did help found a number of churches in southwestern LA, including the Big Woods church near Edgerly, LA in 1827.
But he also owned slaves, married at least 4 wives, and sired 19 known children.

>>John L. also appears to be on the 1826 Atascosita census where his birth place is also identified as KY.
> Well, he was baptized at 1 yr old; so Moses was in KY in 1802. What is confusing here? What am I missing?

The documentation which indicates that Moses and Nancy Roberts both may have been in the Natchez area circa 1794, not yet married to one another. Of course, they could have made a trip up river to KY. As I said before,
the documentation is spotty and somewhat conflicting.
----
LV: Do you have access at your library to McBee's _Natchez Court Records, Vol.
II_? If so, check pages 245-6 from Book F. This source is identified in Laura Dingle Ewing's Peveto book, which would be another good source for you if you can also find it in the library. It's long out of print.

Laura quotes passages from McBee which reveal in effect that a Moses Johnson was living with a Mrs. John Green, whose husband had left the country for parts unknown. These records, which may date to 1794, relate to a squabble between Moses and a Mrs. Elizabeth Roberts, whose husband, Jonathan had enlisted in the military and not come back. Mrs. Green had invited Mrs. Roberts to stay with her while ole Moses was gone to New Orleans, and when he returned, Moses charged Elizabeth for bed and board
and confiscated her goodies until she payed. This led to the court action.
Also mentioned is that John Green had given Moses a note for a debt of $67 dated Jul 1791, so that would place Moses in the Natchez area at least as early as that date.

Laura was focussed on finding a Roberts, so she thought mistakenly that Elizabeth may have been Moses's Nancy Roberts, but in light of what you have learned of the Anna who married John Green, it was just the opposite.
More likely, he married the same Mrs. Green he was with circa 1794 or just lived with her because she would not have been able to get a divorce with her husband's status unknown due to his departure.

NATCHEZ 1794: PART ONE, the abstract

FROM The Natchez Court Records, 1767-1805: Abstracts of Early Records by May Wilson McBee La. 929.1 McBee

Page 270 Book F
(Court proceedings: March 15, 1794 - Daniel Clark)
Page 245: Mrs. Elizabeth Roberts made oath that her husband, Jonathan Roberts, was settled on Mr. Mather's plantation at Bayou Sara by agreement but about six weeks ago her husband abandoned her and enlisted as a soldier and left her big with child and she has two young children by her former husband, Henry Grant, but she has some little property when she married Jonathan Roberts but he has none. Some time before Roberts left her she was invited by Mrs. Green who lived with Moses Johnson to go and stay with her for awhile and she did, with Roberts consent. Johnson was then gone to Orleans with the volunteers [She detailed the work that she did and the supplies she furnished while at the house of Moses Johnson during two months and a few days she stayed as well as listing her belongings she had taken there from the Mather plantation.] When Moses Johnson returned he exacted a note for $40 from her for board for herself and two children and is claiming her possessions in payment [Affidavit of Moses Johnson who denies Mrs. Roberts story; she was not invited to his house, etc.}

Page 246: I enclose two depositions, Mrs. Roberts and Moses Johnson. I have ordered that her property be restored to her and she has given security that she shall not part with any of it until I receive Your Excellency's answer. I think the man has overcharged her. Moses Johnson also holds a note of John Green for $67 due ever since July 1791. This Green has left the country some time past and has a tract of land here and his wife who lives with Johnson. Johnson's suit is to have the land sold to pay the debt. Mrs. Roberts has a very worthless husband. Devall married them before the proclamation. Devall married them before the proclamation. She is very poor and has two children and now big with child. Etc.

Page 247: If Roberts has any pay due him, etc. Signed Francis Poussett, March 11, 1794

PART II FOLLOWS ? ONE OF THE ACTUAL DEPOSITIONS.

Tragically the only letter missing in the index to the abstracts is ?G?

Carole

Found in State Census N.C. 1784-1787 - significance not known.
Moses Johnson
List of Inhabitants of Johnston Co, for yer 1787. Recd'd Mar 16, 1787.
List of number of inhabitants of Capt John Bryan of Every Sect & Condition
Moses Johnson -- 1 white male, 21-60 years
2 white male under 21 - over 60
5 white female - all ages
and
Capt William Talton Co, pg 3:
Moses Johnson 1 white male, 21-60 years
2 white male under 21 - over 60
4 white female - all ages


Census:
1790 Cheraws District, St. Thomas Co, South Carolina
page 14
Moses Johnson 1 1 1

unk who these people are
same page Judith Johnson - - 1

page 13
William Johnson 2 0 1


Residence:
Moses was witness to marriage of Susanne Robert & Jacob Welsh. 20 Sep 1796. Susanne sis of Nancy Anna; so his sis-in-law.
Robert Susanne - Presbyterian (Benajmin & Elizabeth Colle - Presbyterians) m 20 Sept 1796 Jacob Welsh - Presbyterians, of Maryland in the United States (Peter & Catherine Opaver (Huppert). Wits: Andrew Walsh(?), Moses Johnston, John Moore, Robin. Fr. Pedro de Zamora (Opel Ch.: v 1-A, p 69)

Census:
7 Aug 1820 St. Landry Parish
page 2
Name: Moses Johnson
Home in 1820 (City, County, State): St Landry, Louisiana
Enumeration Date: August 7, 1820


Free White Persons - Males - Under 10: 3 1810-1820
Benjamin but died prob bef 1820 ?, ?, ?
one of these might be Joachim b 1816, son of Abraham

Free White Persons - Males - 16 thru 18: 1 (1802-1804)
John 1802

Free White Persons - Males - 16 thru 25: 3 (1795-1804)
Abraham, 1799 but had son by 1816 ?, ?


Free White Persons - Males - 26 thru 44: 2 1776-1794
?

Free White Persons - Males - 45 and over: 1 bef (1775
Moses bef 1765

Free White Persons - Females - Under 10: 4 (1810-1820)
Ann, Amanda or Rhoda or both?, ?, ?, ?

Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 15: 2 (1805-1810)
Amanda or Rhoda or both?

Free White Persons - Females - 16 thru 25: 2 (1795-1804)
Elizabeth 1795 and maybe Abraham's wife?

Number of Persons - Engaged in Agriculture: 5
Free White Persons - Under 16: 9
Free White Persons - Over 25: 3
Total Free White Persons: 17
Total All Persons - White, Slaves, Colored, Other: 17

no wife
Marie married abt 1812 and in her own census
Abraham married abt 1815

other Johnsons in 1820 Opel

James Johnson - same page 2:
alone: foreigner not naturalized age 16-25 (1795-1804)
-------
also
pg 3
Edmund >45


pg 6
Susannah >45;
5 kids: 2f 1m <10; 1m 1f 10-15
(same page John Arrington)
Pg 7
Isaac, David (next to each other)

Gideon, same pg 7
26-44 (1776-1794)

pg 16
John 2m 16-25; 1f 16-25 (1795-1804)

same pg, several familiar names, inc James Foreman Jr. and Thomas Hayes; Bosman Hays

(Thomas Hayes s/o Bosman Hayes & Jane Forman; James Forman Jr., Solomon Green

Sarah Forman, sister to Jane, m Isaac Johnson

-----------
John pg 17
same pg Jacob Harmon Sr.; Benjamin Andrus;
William Perry,
Asa Forman, Isaac Forman, Ephraim Forman Joseph Forman
Francis Hoffpauir, John Lyons sr -- and more - all adjac
Jonathan Foreman

Moses** married Nancy** Anna Robert about 1794. Nancy** (daughter of Benjamin* Robert, (immigrant) and Elizabeth* Cole) was born about 1770 in Natchez District, Mississippi; died after 1815 in Opelousas, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1794, Natchez, Mississippi

Notes:

1810 Rapides Par Census - age 26-45. If had first child at 17 and last child at 42 - b 1773.

Robert, Nancy (Benjamin & Isabelle Robert) m 16 Sep 1787 John Green of Virginia (Thomas & Anne Green) Wits: James Young, John Dunmore, Ebrent(?) Robins. Fr. Joseph de Arazena (Opel Ch. v.1-A, p 9)

Robert, Anna m John Green (Opel. Ch)
Robert, Anna m Moses Jansonne
Jeansonne, Moses m Anna Robert (Opel. Ch)

Natchez court records show that Moses and Nancy were living in the same household in 1794, but she is still referred to as John Green's wife.

Birth:
daughter Marie is the only child who lived long enough to be entered in the 1880 census where birthplace of parents are recorded. She stated her mother born in Mississippi.

John married Joanna Parkman on 22 Dec 1825 in Lawrence Co, Mississippi. Joanna (daughter of Joseph B. Parkman and Susannah T. Boyd) was born in 1804 in Lawrence Co, Mississippi; died in 1850 in Lawrence Co, Mississippi. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]