Ancestors and Descendants
of Helen Jean
This site has been created to honor the memory of my devoted parents, Ernest Marion Wood, Sr, Ruby Mae Bartlett and all the others who have gone on before us.
ERNEST MARION WOOD
AND HIS HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION CREWS
Ernest Marion Wood, a tall, stately man of mighty power, with a gentle and compassionate spirit, father of seven children, loving husband of the graceful and beautiful southern belle, Camilla Eugenia Adair from Holland, Texas. Then following her death in 1928, he married in 1932 and was a loving and protective husband of the charming, elegant and classic beauty, Ruby Mae Bartlett from Cooper, Texas.
Mr. Wood was a highway contractor in the early days when paved highways were just appearing, and certainly not as plentiful as in the present age. Mr. Wood built the dirt work in preparation for some of the first highways in Lousiana and Texas, including Lamar County.
Ernest Marion Wood and his three sons, Jeff Supert Wood, Ernest Mason Wood and Price Marion Wood were owners of a construction business from the early 1920s until 1941. As the sons were growing up and becoming responsible adults, each in his own way, learning the construction work from their father, all became educated engineers in later life.
Education was very important to Mr. Wood and he saw to it that all his children were given the opportunity to receive a good education. His sons were engineers and his daughters were educated as teachers. All his children attended collleges and universities in Texas.
His daughters were Elizabeth Maurice Wood, Camilla Ophelia Wood, Margarette Adair Wood and Helen Jean Wood. Of the seven children only Ophelia and Jean are still living. Helen Gene (Jean) was named in honor of one of Mr. Wood's longtime friends from the construction business, Gene Stanford. Helen Jean now lives in Paris, Lamar Co., Texas.
The senior Mr. Wood had previously worked with some of the best construction crews in Texas and Louisiana as highways were being built to connect the Eastern United States with the Western United States.
Many people worked with the Wood Construction Crews, building the first signs of any construction work on the road project. Mr. Wood owned the equipment to begin moving the dirt in preparation of laying the highway. His crews moved dirt, removed rocks, and prepared the shoulders of the future highway, as well as all the bridge work.
Mr. Wood began his business using mules and manual equipment, but later added the gasoline powered larger items of equipment which were needed to better serve their needs. As long as the mules did not become sick or die, the business grew and prospered steadily, but if a mule would die there would be a tremendous lost of work power. In July 1998, my nephew told me that his father, Ernest Mason Wood, often spoke about the family praying for the mules to remain healthy and able. The livelihood of the family and the crews depended on the mules.
Bids were let by the State of Texas for construction projects. Mr. Wood and his company received many of the projects due to the fact that Governor Jim Ferguson was his personal friend.
STORY TO BE CONTINUED....
I REMEMBER MOTHER . . .
I remember when . . . Those are inviting and intriguing words. As
we sit with neighbors and friends, often the conversation turns to
yesteryear and our memory lingers there. Sometimes as we talk with
friends, relatives, and grandchildren, attend their birthday parties,
or visit in our children's homes, something is said that reminds us of activities we
participated in when we were children. I remember when my sisters came
to visit in our parents' home, or more recently, accounts of the past we read
about in the local newspaper, I remember. I remember them well.
Yes, our memories linger on and on.
I remember my mother telling me about an end-of-school picnic at Lake
Crook. This was a large, fairly new lake north of the City of Paris. She
attended this event, along with the rest of the students from her school located
in Delta County.. It was a special day for the school children. She spoke
about how enjoyable the lake was and such a great place to bring children.
Then, the lake seemed very large, but now, its different. Its been over 70 years
since then. Times have changed, our ideas have changed. Our memory can
take us back to a simple time, a simple way of life.
Those who remember going to Lake Crook back at that time, will
remember. There were flower beds which the Paris Business and
Professional Women's Club installed. The flowers were pretty. A pleasure
to see. The birds were there and their songs could be heard. Children
laughed as they played. Tables and seats were available, as were swings
and playground equipment, fishing piers and a clubhouse for dancing.
From the dance floor, they could see the lake from the windows.
This must have been the middle 1920s. Mother would talk about her
childhood, as a first born and the oldest daughter, she was given heavy
responsibility by her parents. I am not so sure she enjoyed that all that
much as it make her 'mother' to all the younger ones, and there were many
children. To the day that she died, she felt that role. Her parents worked
hard in the fields, bringing in the crops as they were farmers, surviving as
best as they could. It must have been hard for all families then.
Yes, I remember my mother.
I remember when . . . in the 1950's, thirty years later, during my high
school years at Powderly and Paris High, going to Lake Crook and seeing
the same activities. I remember how the moon reflected off the water. How
fresh the water smelled. It will never smell the same again. Memories can
be deceiving . . . or is that love that is deceiving. I remember how the
young folks always crowded the dance floor. I remember the jukebox and
how we fed it nickels for the music it contained. I think that was probably
the first jukebox I had ever seen other than those in restaurants. As a young
person of about 17 or 18, I was not allowed to go to dance halls or clubs
which came later. We respected our parents decisions. There was just
certain things, and certain places, I was not allowed. I even remember
when jukeboxes had the control box installed on the wall by the individual
tables.
We could select our music at the table instead of walking to the jukebox,
however, if we stood in front of it, we could watch the machine pick up a
record, turn it over to play, come to rest, then we had music.
Music, Music, Music.
Do you remember when . . . Of course you do!
My mother was Ruby Mae Bartlett. She was a beautiful woman with lovely brown skin and dark hair. She was a Godly woman, of good character, and I never saw her do anything which was morally wrong. She was always perfectly dressed, neat, clean, fashionable yet ladylike.
She usually wore very tailored clothing, almost never wore slacks until just
a few years before her death. She was blessed with her mother's features and good looks, and with her dad's bone structure and gentleness. All her sisters were blessed with both of their good looks and their mother's quick and sometimes sharp tongue. Ruby's temperament and determination matched the very strong women of the past. She was a very independent woman,
far beyond her day. If she had been a young woman during the 1970-80's,
she would be called a Crusader for Women's Rights. I would compare her
to Susan B. Anthony, a brave woman. I hope it seems that I respect my mother
very much because, yes, I do. She taught me well. She was the greatest
Christian lady I have ever known. Her husband, my daddy, died in 1945
when she was thirty-four and I was eleven, leaving her to care and nurture
to maturity a child and at the same time to work and to survive.
I remember when . . .
It was November 1945. It was our first Thanksgiving, following the death of
my father. I remember Thanksgiving that year with joy, and joy must have
been hard to come by at that time.
It was in 1945 and at the end of World War II. Food was scarce, tires were
rationed, gas was rationed, as well as sugar, coffee and shoes, stockings,
many items were hard to come by. I always called her Mother, I never
called her Mama or Ruby, but others did, but mostly they called her Mrs.
Wood. She was respected in the community. I loved my mother and my
daddy. I still miss both of them.
She had purchased a turkey, I don't know how she got the money for a
turkey. I would guess that her Daddy gave her some money, he was like
that, and it is possible that he brought us a turkey. She was determined that
we would have a special dinner. She was trying to get her own life back
together. It was a hard time in her life. She was a very strong lady, very
giving, very independent, a good mother.
I remember when . . . Mother tied a rope around the turkey's neck and a
fence post. She tied the other end of the rope to the back bumper of the
car, an old 1937 Ford. Then she got in the car and drove until the turkey's
neck broke, and he fell to the ground. What women will do to provide.
We had Thanksgiving dinner. It just happened to be my twelfth birthday also.
She was a good mother, she cared for me well and with great love. Love
was hard for her to show but I knew she loved me.
I remember during WW II, she was welding aboard a ship in Orange,
Texas, she would come home after work to mother and teach me, tired as
she was. I remember when she became a seamstress in a factory in Greenville,
again later in Paris she worked at the Snowden Dress Factory. They made
children's clothing.
I remember when she was a house parent to college athletic boys on campus
at Stephen F. Austin, then again, to the athletic boys at ETSU, Commerce, and then,
to the girls at Thompson Hall at Paris Junior College, Paris, Texas. She retired
about 1974. My mother died August 22, 1976 in Paris, Lamar Co., Texas.
I'll always miss her.
Ruby had been married to Ernest Marion Wood, who died in 1945, then
later, in June 1952, she was married to Alfred Sellers Ross, who died in 1967.
She was a very good grandmother to my children.
Ruby Mae Bartlett was born in Honey Grove, Fannin County, Texas
on October 8, 1911 and many times we would drive down Highway
82 West and she would remark that the old house where she was born is still
standing. It is located on the main street leading west out of Honey Grove.
Yes, I do remember those days. Her parents were Rufus Bartlett and Ethel
Mae Edmondson. I was the first granddaughter of Rufus Bartlett, born
January 9, l892 in Ben Franklin, Delta County, Texas, died August 18, l977
and buried in Meadowbrook Cemetery in Paris, Lamar County, Texas and
Ethel Mae Edmundson, born November 1, l891, Bonham, Fannin County,
Texas, in the LaMaso Community, married July 15, 1910 in Honey Grove,
Fannin County, died March 13, l979 and buried in Paris, Lamar County,
Texas, Meadowbrook Cemetery.
The family lived in Delta County and it was there that Ruby moved from
farm to farm which her Mother and Daddy rented and worked the land.
Twelve children were born to Rufus and Ethel Mae Bartlett. Ruby Mae
Bartlett, born October 8, 1911, at Honey Grove, Fannin County, Texas,
and died August 22, 1976, Lamar County, Texas.
Ruby was married to Ernest Marion Wood, October 18, 1932 in Delta
County. Their only child was Helen Jean Wood, born November 26, 1933,
Gainesville, Cooke County, Texas. Ernest Marion Wood died 7 March
1945. He is buried in Oak Lawn Cemetery in Cooper, Delta County,
Texas. Ruby died August 22, 1976 and is buried in Oak Lawn Cemetery.
Ernest Marion Wood was the retired owner of a highway construction
business. He built the highway between Cooper and Sulphur Springs over
North Sulphur River, as well as other construction jobs in this area. Seven
years after his death, Ruby then married Alfred Sellers Ross, Sr, on June 1,
l952. He died 1967 in Greenville, Hunt Co., TX. He was a retired
employee of TEMPCO in Greenville. TX. He is buried at Laural Land
Cemetery in Dallas beside his first wife.
After the death of Mr. Ross, Ruby served as head resident or house parent of athletic
dorms at Stephen F. Austin College, Nacadoches, TX, then athletic dorms at
East Texas State University, Commerce, TX. Her last position before her death was
at Thompson Hall, the girls dorms at Paris Junior College, Paris, Texas.
Rufus Bartlett and Ethel Edmondson had many children. My mother,
Ruby Mae Bartlett was the first born, next came Dahlia, then Rufus,
Mary Virginia, Frances, Jimmie, Nettie, Mittie, Jack, and Wanda. There
were two children, Pat R. and Pansy DeVerne, who died as infants.
Second born, Dahlia Beatrice Bartlett, born January 5, 1913, died Jan 7, 1996
at Irving, Texas, married first, Roy Lee Garner, August 1929, divorced April
1957. Roy Lee Garner died in Dallas Texas, January 18, 1988, buried in
Lake Creek cemetery.
Children born were (1) Dorothy Faye Garner (married Ralph Williams,
who is buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Paris, and then, (unknown first name
Savage), born January 24, 1934, Delta County, Texas, (2) Peggy Sue, born
LIVING, (3) Darrell Wayne,
born January 1, 1940, Delta County, Texas, died January 12, 1970, New
Orleans, La, buried in Laurel Land Cemetery in Dallas on January 24,
1970; (4) Charles Lee, born January 12, 1942, Delta County, died at birth,
buried in Rattan Cemetery, Delta County, (5) Ernest Marion, born June 6,
1944, Lamar County, Texas; This child was named in honor of my daddy.
(6) Ricky Dean, born November 26, 1947, killed in action in South
Vietnam, March 5, 1966.
Dahlia married Ray McGee, in Athens, Henderson County, Texas on
November 4, 1974. Ray McGee died December 28, 1988 in a December
27, 1988 auto accident in Texarkana, Texas, buried in Laurel Land
Cemetery, Dallas, Texas on December 30, 1988.
Third child, Rufus Lee Bartlett, born August 5, 1914 at Ben Franklin, Delta
County, Texas, married Minnie Pearl Strawn. He and his wife had many children
and grandchildren. Marriage and births according to Delta County records,
marriage, volume 10 #252, Delta Co., Texas, marriage license, 5-29-1937.
Children of Rufus Lee and Minnie Pearl were the following: Born June 5,
1938, Bobbie Jean Bartlett, Delta Co., Texas, born June 12, 1940, Martha
Sue Bartlett, Delta Co., Texas, born April 23, 1943, Edward Lee Bartlett,
Delta Co., Texas, born Feb. 23, 1945, Barbara Ann Bartlett, Delta Co.,
Texas, born April 07, 1947, Jerry Don Bartlett, Delta Co., Texas, born
May 26, 1950, Kenneth Ray Bartlett, Delta Co., Texas, born April 24,
1952, Linda Kay Bartlett, Delta Co., Texas, born May 18, 1953, Harold
Junior Bartlett, Delta Co., Texas, He has many grandchildren.
Next came, Mary Virginia Bartlett, born April 27, 1918, married Oma Bland
on April 27, 1941, later married Bill Pitt. Bill Pitt died in the early 1970's in
Lamar County. I do not know if Oma Bland is still living. There were two
boys born to Mary and Oma. They were Billy Ray and Michael Bland..
Mary and Bill Pitt moved to Paris, Texas after they were married. There
was a funeral service in Paris, Texas when Bill Pitt died, his body was
cremated and returned to his home in a northern state, New Jersey, I believe.
Two ladies attended the service and returned taking the container of his ashes with them.
Bill Pitt was born July 1, 1914, Roseland Park, New Jersey.
Mary returned to live in Houston and I have not heard of her since. She has a son,
Billy Ray Bland, living at one time in the Houston area. Her
other son is Michael Bland.
Then, Dorothy Frances Bartlett, born July 24, 1920, married Floyd Stevens, in 1937,
divorced, who died about 1993, Lamar County, buried in Commerce, Texas. Her
children are James Don Stevens, Vondell Lynn Stevens, Roevia Jane Stevens, married
Miller, divorced in 1991 as per phone call in 1996, Venita Ann Stevens, married Moseley,
then married a Green. Have no idea where she is now. I visit with Vondell from time to
time when he comes to Paris and he is the cousin that has supported me with his
friendship, prayers and physical help when I needed him. I am very thankful for
Vondell, and his baby brother, Kenneth Webster..
Frances married Kenneth Aiken (Skeeter) Webster on July 21, 1957 in
Paris, Lamar County, Texas. He was born September 28, 1911 and died
April 26, 1983 in Paris, Texas. He is buried at Evergreen Cemetery in
Paris, Texas. Frances died February 22, 1984 in Paris, Lamar County,
Texas and is buried at Evergreen Cemetery, Block 42. Their son is
Kenneth Earl Webster, born in Lamar Co., Paris, Texas.
Then, Nettie Vera Bartlett, born December 18, 1921 in Charleston, Delta
County, Texas, married Sam Painter, Oct. 22, 1939 in Cooper, Delta Co.,
Texas by Rev. Earl M. Jones, pastor of First Methodist Church. Their children
were Patsy Olivia (Pat) Painter, born Feb. 22, 1941 in Commerce, Hunt Co.,
Texas, married to Doug Hines, and Jo Ferne Painter, born Jan. 3, 1944 in
Commerce, Hunt Co., Texas. Sam Painter died several years ago in
Commerce or Greenville, Texas, and is probably buried in Commerce.
Next born, Ethel June (Jimmie) Bartlett, born June 17, 1924, married
Joe Rodriguez in 1943, died in San Antonio in April, 1991. I do not have a
list of her children, however, I know there is a daughter named Helen Jean,
because she was named after me. I know there is a son, and maybe others.
Then came Mittie Mildred Bartlett, born September 29, 1925, married Fred
Creekmore, April 23, 1944 in Commerce, Texas, Hunt County. Fred died
fall of 1992. Their children are Shirley, married to Wendell Smith, from Honey
Grove, Texas, and Cindy.
Second son and next born was Jack Oliver Bartlett, born January 23, 1928,
married first Vera Ward Robinson, and married second Virginia Ellen McGee
on Feb. 24, 1972. Virginia was born Feb. 24, 1942 in Lamar County, Texas.
Jack died August 9, 1997, Paris, Lamar County, buried at Meadowbrook Cemetery, Paris, Lamar County, Texas on August 11, 1997.
Last son born, Pat R (Orr), born May 19, 1930, died August 24, 1930; vol 1 #88,
Delta County. On the birth records, and some other places the name is shown
as Porter, Orr, Pat R.
Then, Glorita (Gloria) Wanda, born November 30, 1931(32), married Charles Monk,
September 1961, a son was born, James R. Monk, on Nov. 19, 1951,
Jimmy died January 31, 1993. Jimmy has a son, named Jamie and he lives
with his mother in Pennsylvania. Wanda's second marriage was to James
Ausmus, married July 1966. He died June 1, 1973, Paris, Lamar County, Texas,
their only child was Wendy Ausmus. Wendy married in 1994 to Freddy Hodges
of Paris. Wanda's third marriage is to Bob Hutsell. They moved from Paris to live
in McKinney to be near their children, Wanda's daughter, Wendy, and Bob's daughter,
Nettie.
Last child born, Pansy Deverne (spelled Leverne on some records) ,
born April 3, 1935, died May 9, 1935, Delta County, Texas. The Delta
County birth records, vol 7 #124, Pansy DeVerne (LeVerne). I do not know
which cemetery this child is buried at.
As a young man, Rufus Bartlett was living at home with his parents
in Precinct #3, Delta County, Texas, probably in the same area as the Giles
Cemetery between Pecan Gap and Ben Franklin. Martha's death certificate in 1931
notes that she lived there the past 46 years.
By April 1910, Rufus had moved to Fannin County, Texas, Precinct #5,
Honey Grove and Tigertown Road where he was living with his oldest sister
and brother in law, Alice and Tim T. Mathis, and their children. This was
where he was living when he met his wife to be, Ethel Mae Edmundson.
Ethel Mae Edmundson was living at Precinct #6, LaMasco, Fannin, Texas
in 1900. She was 7 years old at the time and was living with her father,
Alford William Edmundson, and step-mother, Ida Thompson Edmundson.
Rufus and Ethel married and lived in Honey Grove until about 1912 when
they moved to Ben Franklin, Delta, Texas. About 1916 or 1917, they
moved to Charleston, Delta County, Texas where they lived for several
years. In 1929, they moved to the rural area near Cooper, Delta County, Texas.
Sometime after 1947 or 1948, they moved to Powderly, Lamar County,
Texas.
Powderly is located north of Paris. They lived on the Jiggs Anderson farm.
This place was later sold to Tom Hagood and they remained with the
property until years later. At that time they moved to Paris and remained in Paris.
Their son, Jack Oliver, lived at home with them until they moved
to Paris and then he married.
This property at Powderly, near the Palestine church, was later sold to
Bebe Stallings, former football coach at Texas A&M. Bebe retired from
Alabama State at the end of 1996, and moved back to Lamar County, living
on the property at Powderly.
It has been many years, but I still remember when! I remember the sand of
Powderly, how it felt as I walked barefoot down the sandy roads. How hard
it was keep sand out of the house.
Yes, I remember when . . .
RAMBLING ON, MEMORIES . . .
Remember when . . .
Did you know my Dad? He was Ernest Marion Wood . I remember
him as a tall, slender fatherly figure in my life. I remember him with almost red hair,
freckles, almost Irish in coloring. I admired and loved him so much. I seemed
such a tiny little girl in his presence. I really was never such a slender child,
it was just that he was such a stately powerful person. He was kind, gentle man.
When we took walks, my hand in his big hands, I felt so warm and loved.
I value the time he spent with me. I never saw him dressed any other way but
with a white shirt, black tie, black trousers, and sometimes, his suit jacket.
Very dignified and traditional was he, very gentle and tender, a loving father.
He loved me and I knew it. I loved him so much and missed him so when he died.
I remember the afternoon my Dad died. Then, I remember the morning my mother
died. Yes, we all have our memories.
My mother, Ruby Bartlett married Ernest Marion Wood, on Oct 18, 1932 in
Cooper, Texas. This was his second marriage and her first. I was
the only child born to them. I was named Helen Gene Wood.
I was named in honor of my daddy's sister Hellen Eulalia Wood and in
honor of his dear friend, Gene Stanford, a former business partner.
Ernest Marion Wood died March 7, 1945 in Cooper, Delta County, Texas
and Ruby died August 22, 1976 in Paris, Lamar County, Texas. Both are
buried at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Cooper. The grave is marked with one
stone.
I remember when I was about eight or nine years old, late one afternoon on
a dreary day as I remember it, my daddy saw smoke in the north sky,
looking toward Paris. As there was heavy dark smoke, and so much of it,
Mother, Daddy and I got in the 1937 Ford and headed north from Lake
Creek in Delta County.. In Paris, I remember standing on the sidewalk
holding daddy's hand as we watched a motor car business burn. A business
destroyed in a day. It seemed like we were there a long time before we
went home. I sensed from my parents that this was a tragic event. I
suppose that was between 1937 and 1941. I remember it was before
Daddy became sick with cancer. Yes, I remember so much.
My mother was a beautiful women with lovely olive brown skin. Someone
asked me recently, how do you know you are Cherokee? Because I just
know, I grew up hearing mother talk about our Cherokee heritage. I just
know, yet it is undocumented, that my great, great grandmother (Underhill) and
my great, great grandparents, Burl S. and Susan Phillips were Cherokee.
I hope someday to locate the correct information and records to document this fact.
If not, that really doesn't matter, because I know, in my heart, that I am Cherokee,
through my mother. I have one eighth Cherokee blood.
William L. Bartlett and Margaret Elizabeth Horn(e) Underhill were the parents of
the following children: Rachel, born 1854 TN, married James Bright, William Isiah,
born 17 Aug 1855 , TN, married to Martha Mitchell Phillips on June 12, 1873 in
Bloomfield, Stoddard Co, Missouri. Also, Martha Elizabeth, born 24 Apr 1857
in Missouri, possibly Stoddard County, Jane Adaline, born 6 Sep 1860 in Missouri,
Sarah Allis Bartlett, born 18 Jun 1863 in Missouri. Then came Charley Monroe,
born 12 Aug 1865 in Missouri, married 6 Sep to Laura Bell Forth in Cooper, Delta
County. Texas, died 27 Jul 1952, Mary Eliza, born 30 Aug 1868 in Missouri.
William L. Bartlett, born 15 Oct 1827, in Virginia, married 18 Jan 1853 in
Tennessee, to Margaret Elizabeth Horn(e) Underhill , born 21 September, 1828
in Tennessee. It is believed that she had a sister living in Stoddard Co. Missouri
and there is an infant, Mamy Underhill buried in a local cemetery there.. Death
dates, places, parents are unknown. William L. Bartlett's son, William Isiah Bartlett
was my great-grandfather.
William L. Bartlett and Margaret Elizabeth Horn Underhill were my
great-great-grandparents. Their son, William Isiah married 12 June 1873 to
Martha Mitchell Phillips in Bloomfield, Stoddard County, Missouri. He was born
29 Dec 1855 in Tennessee and died 30 July 1933 in Giles Community, Delta
County, Texas.
Martha Mitchell Phillips, 1855-1931, spouse of William Isiah Bartlett, daughter of
Susan and Berry Phillips is my great grandmother. If I would guess, I would say that
Mitchell is the maiden name of her mother, Susan, but I have no proof and can not
seem to locate any data for the Phillips family. Berry and Susan Phillips, who were
Cherokee, were circuit-rider preachers. The only documentation I have is a
copy of pages from the old Bartlett Bible, as copied by Martha McCandless.
I have not been able to locate anything for this couple.
Martha and William Isiah's last born son, Rufus, was my grandfather, a
kind and gentle soul and a great father-example for me as the eldest
granddaughter, whose Dad, Ernest Marion Wood. died when I was eleven.
My grandfather, Rufus Bartlett married Ethel Mae Edmundson
in Fannin county.
The Edmundson's, her father and his brother, are said to have been land
traders and worked with the Indians in Oklahoma. It is possible that they
measured land for the Mexican government, but I don't think they were
here that early, so it was probably for the Republic of Texas. The
Edmundson's (Edmondson) had several children.
Burl Phillips and Susan Phillips were circuit rider preachers so I have been
told by family. I have no vital information available.
Their daughter Martha Mitchel Phillips was born 29 Dec 1855 in Tennessee, married
to William Isiah Bartlett 12 Jun 1873 in Bloomfield, Stoddard Co., Missouri. Martha
died 30 Jul 1930 at Cooper, Delta Co. TX
Martha Mitchell Phillips and William Isiah Bartlett were the parents of nine
children, Mary Alice, born 1875 Missouri, George, born 1877 Missouri, infant,
date unknown, Missouri, infant, born 1878-1883 Missouri, Meg, born 1884 Missouri,
Albert, born 1887 Texas, an infant, born 1885-1886, Texas, Will, born 1890 Texas,
and my grandfather, Rufus, born 1892 Texas.
I remember when . . . I can remember when I thought my great grandfather's
name was William Ezell Bartlett and it never occurred to me that it was just
the East Texas droll of the people who grew up here. My mother was a product
of that strange sounding dialect. After 50 years, I, myself, have at long last the
same manner of speech. I must belong now. I am no longer an outsider any more.
In fact, it took Bertha Gable to show me to "see" what I was hearing. By the way,
in checking the Stoddard County, Missouri cemetery index, I found several families
in which the name Ezell was common.
William Isiah was ten years older than his brother, Charley Monroe. Aunt Laura
Belle Forth and Uncle Charley's (Charly Monrough) children were: Andrew
James Monroe born 1887 Texas, Ella M. 1889 Texas, Effa Lee, born 1890
(or 99, could not read figure from Bartlett Bible) Texas, Flosana E. Florence,
born 1891-92 Texas, William Arthur born 1893 Texas, Leta M., born 1895 Texas,
Joseph Sidney born 1897 Texas, Georgia born 1900-1902 Texas, Charice born
1902-1904, N. Earl, born 1904 Texas, Ervin (female) born 1910 Texas.
Charley Monroe Bartlett (also spelled Charly Monrough) was born Aug.
12, 1865 in Missouri, married to Laura Bell Forth, Sept. 6, 1885, in Delta
County, Texas, died July 27, 1952 in Wolfe City, Hunt County, Texas.
Burial was July 29, 1952 at Leonard, Fannin County, Texas. Laura Belle
Forth, born March 15, 1870 in Missouri and died June 17, 1940. There is
a grave site, with marker, at the Giles Cemetery near Pecan Gap for a male
named, Forth. This could be Bell's father or brother. I haven't been able
to locate my notes with his first name or dates.
Uncle Will and Uncle George, sons of William Isiah traveled to west Texas
after the death of their Dad. Meg moved to Melvin, Hot Springs,
Arkansas, where she married Smith and later a Conster.. They may all
be buried at the Melvin Ark cemetery, Hot Springs County. Aunt Belle Nelson
and Uncle Will's children were Ora, Cora (twins), Lawrence and
Florence (twins) and Happy.
Aunt Daisey Willene Gaylor and Uncle George's children were Vernon
Isiah, Herman, Gaylor Washington, Woodruff, Martha Frances, George
W., Odell, Fraser, Leonard Elden, Mary Ella, Margaret Ann, Lois Ruth,
Wanda Nell, Paul Grandy.
These are some of the oldest Bartlett ancestors I have. Thought I might as
well give you what I have for the Edmundson family. My mother's Bartlett
family was from Virginia, previously from England, so the family stories go.
Of course others were here to greet the Bartlett's when they landed. As the
families moved west each family began to grow and put roots down where
they were. I don't know as much about the O'Dell and the Edmundson
families.
Let us begin with my great-great-grandmother, Dorothy Melvina O'Dell.
I do not know if this is her maiden or married name. I assume it is her
married name but since I do not know her husbands name, this may not be
correct. I believe she may have been born in Arkansas, but have not
found birth recorded. She had at least two children born to her either
before reaching Texas, or shortly thereafter. Mattie, born abt 1864, and
another child born and died as an infant, both buried in Fannin County,
LaMasco community, Texas, between Honey Grove and Bonham.
Dorothy is buried somewhere in Texas, probably Fannin, Grayson or Hunt
County. My mother always said she was buried at LaMasco Cemetery in
Fannin County, Texas, along with her children. The story goes that
Dorothy's husband was killed during a colony war and the family was
traveling when the first child died. It is believed that she was later buried
with that child, meaning the same place or cemetery. It is likely they may
buried in the old "Ole LaMasco Cemetery" located in Fannin Co, Texas,
which is now located on Smith property there.
Mattie, daughter of Dorothy O'Dell, date of birth was 1864, in Texas, date
of death was 1891 in the community of La Masco, between Honey Grove
and Bonham, Texas. Mattie married Alford William Edmundson (Edmondson).
Their children Nettie, born 17 Jan 1880, Hunt Co., TX,
Robert, born Apr 1885 TX, Mittie, born Jan 1888, TX, Cordelia
born Mar 1890, Ethel Mae, born 1 Nov 1891, LaMasco,
Fannin Co, TX. Mattie died shortly after the birth of the last child,
Ethel, who was my grandmother.
I have not found any more information, as yet, nor other connections to my O'Dell
family. I have found out that the name O'Dell may have been Odle in some areas
and may have come from Germany and/or Ireland.
Alford William Edmundson, married Ida Thompson, about 1904. She was very
young at the time, in fact, his first born child by Martha was older than
Ida. There were children born to them. He died in Houston, Harris Co., Texas.
He is listed on Texas Death Index, but not confirmed by death certificate.
It is possible that Edmundson is an Irish name. In searching for Edmondson,
Edmundson, Edmintson, I have found very little to connect to others' research.
I wonder what it was like traveling by wagon. If only I could remember
what my great-grandparents experienced. I have often wondered if, as they traveled,
did the children know one another, did the children know that in later years they
would be married to this little boy, this little girl, that little boy or that little girl.
I often wonder what it was like with the wagon trains -if that was the case.
Most travel was done by carriage and wagons. Railroads were available for
transportation during the latter part of the century in some locations. Families
seemed to travel together, going to the same areas, living near one another,
farming land in the same communities. This was for several reasons, number
one being for protection from the attacks of outlaws, Indians, renegades, and animals.
William L. Bartlett, born 1827 in Virginia married a young Cherokee girl
called Margaret Elizabeth Horn(e) Underhill, who was born 1828 in
Tennessee. I don't know much about their life during those years. However, I do
know that there is a marriage receipt from Stoddard County, Missouri which
confirms the marriage of William and Margaret's son,William Isiah Bartlett to
Martha Mitchell Phillips on 12 Jun 1873. A copy of this receipt was given to our
family by a cousin, Martha Bartlett McCandless, who was born in Lamar County, TX.
Martha McCandless is a granddaughter of William and Margaret and a daughter of George Washington Bartlett.
Children of William L. Bartlett and Margaret Elizabeth Horn(e) Underhill
were William Isiah, born TN 1855, my great-grandfather. The seven
children were: Rachel Ann Bartlett, born Jan. 1, 1854 in Tennessee,
married James Bright, William Isiah Bartlett, born Aug. 17, 1855 in
Tennessee, married Aug. 12, 1873 at Broomfield, Stoddard County,
Missouri to Martha Mitchell Phillips. William Isiah Bartlett died June 27,
1933 at Klondike, Delta County, and is buried at Giles Cemetery, located
between Pecan Gap and Ben Franklin, Delta County, Texas; then, Martha
Elizabeth Bartlett, was born April 24, 1857 in Missouri, Jane Adaline
Bartlett was born Sept. 6, 1860 in Missouri, Sarah Allis Bartlett was born
June 18, 1863 in Missouri.
Also, Charley Monroe Bartlett (also ed Charly Monrough) was born
Aug. 12, 1865 in Missouri, married to Laura Bell Forth, Sept. 6, 1885, in
Delta County, Texas, died July 27, 1952 in Wolfe City, Hunt County,
Texas. Burial was July 29, 1952 at Leonard, Fannin County, Texas. Laura
Belle Forth, born March 15, 1870 in Missouri and died June 17, 1940.
There is a grave site, with marker, at the Giles Cemetery near Pecan Gap
for a male with surname of Forth. This could be Bell's father or brother.
The last child was Mary Eliza Bartlett, born Aug. 30, 1868 in Missouri.
I don't know if William and Margaret traveled with families to Texas or
traveled with their other children somewhere else. Since I do not know
when they died or where they died, it is possible they are buried near
Bloomfield, Missouri. I do know that it is said that they did not come
with William Isiah Bartlett, Martha Mitchell Phillips and their children.
My great-grandparents, William and Martha, went into Arkansas before
entering Texas. I do not know how long they took to come from Missouri,
through Arkansas, and into Texas. They had a daughter who left Texas for
Melvin, Hot Springs County, Arkansas in about 1920. It is my theory
that the family may have stayed for a period of time in that area and
she returned there to marry a fellow named Smith, then another named
Conston. Meg may be buried there.
Once the families arrived in Texas, they lived in Fannin, Delta, maybe Red
River and Hopkins counties, then during the last two decades of my grandparents'
life, Rufus Bartlett and Ethel Mae Edmondson lived in Powderly, Lamar Co.,
TX, before moving to the City of Paris in about 1956-60. They died in Lamar
Co in 1977 and 1982, respectively.
RUBY MAE BARTLETT
I remember when . . .
remember when . . . my mother taking me, as a child, then as a teenager, to the various cemeteries in this area where she would remind me of burial sites and family graves of someone special. These graves usually were marked by bois d' arc posts. Posts long gone, there stands a grave now unmarked.
As an adult, mother and I would go to Giles Cemetery in Delta County and quietly
stand out of respect for her grandparents. Those were previous moments,
it still warms my heart to remember.
I have documented some of these facts by copies of birth, marriage and
death certificates, I regret that I am unable to totally document my history
with other certificates and historical papers. I do have copies of pages from
an old Bartlett Bible which was in the possession of Georgia Bartlett Ross
until her death in 1988, at which time, it supposedly disappeared. Along
with these copies are some family charts listing vital information, gathered
by Georgia and her son, as well as Martha McCandless, a cousin. I also have
copies of census records on many of these families. Most of my information
came from notes, interviews, pictures, diaries and census and county records.
William Isiah Bartlett was born in Virginia on Oct. 15, 1827 to William L. Bartlett
and Margaret Elizabeth Horn(e) Underhill. The children of William Isiah Bartlett
and Martha Mitchell Phillips have already been listed. My grandfather was Rufus, born in Missouri 1885.
Martha Mitchell Phillips, born Tennessee in 1855, was the daughter of Burl Phillips
and Susan, her last name is unknown. Burl was born in Kentucky, and Susan
was born in Tennessee. They were married in Tennessee. It is thought that Burl
and Susan were Cherokee and that Burl was a circuit rider preacher during
his lifetime. There are several Phillips families listed on the early Eastern Cherokee
Guion Miller Roll and, later on the Dawes Roll. If these families are ancestors as I
believe the family is Cherokee, I may be able to someday to prove the relationship to
Berry and Susan. However, if they were not registered for the Dawes Roll, I will
never have a roll number. Matters not, it is the history, stories and information I
am seeking. Linda located a will of Burl and Susan Phillips on line at Stoddard Co MO
Genealogy Society, c 1865, listing their children of which Martha was one.
Martha Bartlett died in 1930 in Giles Community, Delta County, Texas.
She died three years before her husband, William Isiah Bartlett. I interviewed
Texas Underwood of Paris in 1991 and she told me the story about the children
of the community who sat with the body of "Aunt Marthie" overnight following her
death. She told of how all the boys ate the cakes and pies in order to stay awake.
This was the custom of the community. I hope she doesn't mind if I share this
story with you.
William Isiah Bartlett and his wife lived in the same community for the
past forty-three years and were well known and respected in the area. As they were
known in the community as Aunt Marthie and Uncle Bud, they attended a local
Baptist church. It was the custom that all the women would sit on one side of the
building and all the men would sit on the other side. There was a pot-bellied stove
for heat and hand fans were used in the summer. There were benches and a few pews
in the church. A local creek was used for baptisms.
Texas Underwood, a local Paris lady, described Aunt Marthie as always
wearing a long black dress with a stiffly starched bonnet, and Uncle Bud wore
a suit of black trousers, a black jacket, a white shirt, with a black hat.
We shared memories of the past. Texas is a fine grand lady.
By the way, I have my own Indian name. An Indian student from Missouri who
was enrolled at the college where I work, gave me a name several years ago.
That name was Yolanda, meaning Flowing Waters, hence, the name of my book,
which is a work always in progress. Speaking of my book, you will find more
information there about the many families I am researching.
Continuing comments about my own direct line of the Bartlett family, I
must go back to about the middle to late 1800s when what was left of the O'Dell
family moved into Fannin County. My mother would talk about her other
grandmother and great-grandmother. She would tell me about Dorothy Melvina
O'Dell and her children as they settled in Fannin County. Her husband had been
killed in a time of war and no information is available for that. I have always
wondered what families she traveled along with. As pioneer women, I know they
were hardy but I can hardly believe she made the trip on her on. I think that would
just be too hard. She had two or three children with her, one of them being Mattie
O'Dell, the others died as children and are buried in a open field or pasture in
Fannin Co. I don't know if there were adult children somewhere.
Mother and I would drive the back roads looking for something she remembered,
but we never found it. After my mother died in 1976, I tried again, talking with the
elderly man who at one time mowed one of the cemeteries there. He said the thought
he could remember some of the old folks talking about the old, old LaMasco cemetery
but he did not know if he could find it now. Later on, I found a lead but have not been
able to check it out, may never be able to.
Mattie O'Dell married William Alford Edmondson. They had four living children,
Nettie, Robert, Mittie, Cordelia, known as Delia, then a child who died in infancy,
then the last child, Ethel Mae was born on November 1, 1892, Fannin Co, Texas.
Mattie died within the week following that birth. My grandmother, Ethel, lived to be
over 80 years old. She grew up, met and married a local boy, Rufus Bartlett. Ethel Mae Edmundson
and Rufus Bartlett married in Honey Grove, Fannin Co, Texas.
Their first child was my mother, Ruby Mae Bartlett, born October 8, 1911 in
Honey Grove, Texas, who married Ernest Marion Wood, on October 18, 1932 in
Delta Co, and after his death, later married Alfred Ross, Sr., in 1952 Greenville,
Hunt County, Texas
I have told you about about the children of Rufus Bartlett and Ethel Mae Edmundson.
The first born, my mother, Ruby Mae Bartlett, born October 8, 1911 in Fannin County,
the others were listed elsewhere in this article.
There are many descendants of these families and I would refer you to a copy of my book,
"Flowing Waters, A History of the Dingman, Hames, Wood and Bartlett Families."
If I ever get to a stopping place, I will print a copy for the Paris library and archives.
My first husband was Wayne Dingman, whom I married May 3, 1953 in Paris,
Lamar Co., Texas at Immanuel Baptist Church, and which ended in divorce on
December 20, 1994, after forty-one plus years.
From that marriage came the delight of my life, a son, Wayne Dingman, Jr. born
October 24, 1967, and a daughter, Melody Jean Dingman, born July 14, 1969.
My children are very important to me. They make me very happy. I am very proud
that they have matured into outstanding young adults, accomplished, sensible, secure,
and delightful. We adopted my children when each was about 10 months old, still babies.
I am very thankful that God has allowed me so much pleasure. I often remember
that the waiting for the coming of these children was much like fifteen years of labor.
God has blessed.
With Dingman ancestors arriving from the Netherlands to settle in the State
of New York, it was several years before the Dingman family moved to Texas.
In all likelihood, there were many stops on the way to Texas where they settled
while children were being born, deaths were grieved, farms were farmed, children
were in school, and life just goes on.
Adolphus Dingman is a descendant of the Adolphus Dingman, who was born
in Holland about 1600, and came to America to settle a new land, seeking religious
freedom.. There are several generations between the birth of Adolphus in 1600 and the
birth of Adolphus after 1760 but before 1788, so my information during those years is
limited, but I do have some material to share. The family was active in the
Dutch Reformed Church of Kinderhook and that is where most of this information
came from, that is, the church records.
Most of the Dingman families migrated from New York State to Pennsylvania, near
Milford and what became to be known as Dingman's Ferry. Adolphus Dingman was
born in Kinderhook, Columbia County, New York, a son of Jacob Dingman and
Eva Shutter. Later these families went to Illinois, then to Texas. This is another
story, one which is best left for the 1998 publication.
The story of the Wood ancestors (which are mine) can not be told here at this time,
but perhaps will be told at a later time. William Granberry Wood is my g-g-grandfather.
He was born in about 1782 in Georgia, which later became Virginia. His wife was Nancy Simms, married in Clark Co, Georgia, May 30, 1809. Nancy died in 1842 at Madison Co., Alabama.
Their children were Andrew Jackson, born South Carolina 1818, married to
Ann M. (Ruby) (unknown maiden name), William A., born Georgia or South
Carolina, 1821, married to Louisa Glover, sister to Martha Ellen Glover, Catherine (Kittie)
born about 1820-1825, Elizabeth (Betty), born about 1827 in Alabama, married to John
Cobb, born in Alabama, Samantha Jane, born about 1830 in Alabama, married to
Benjamin Barnum, James Francis, (my g-grandfather) born Dec 25, 1831, Madison Co., Alabama, married to Martha Ellen Glover April 16 1854, (one of their sons, Lee Edgar,
was born in Red River Co. in 1870, and later married to Bulah Busbey.) Mary Jane (Polly),
born about 1836 in Alabama, married to John Craft, Nancy Ann, born about 1838, Alabama, married to Ezekiel Mathew Craft, Thomas, born about 1838-40. Not sure if Thomas is last child, but mother, Nancy died in 1842 in Alabama.
William Granberry Wood was the son of Samuel Wood(s) of Virginia. His children are
William A. Wood and James Francis Wood and families came to Texas about 1849
to settle in Webberville, Travis County. This is near Austin, Texas. They had one
wagon loaded with belongings and their children, most walked.
That's how I remember it.
Dream on. Dream on
Waters flow over miles of land
Tears are lost, love is gained
Children grow, flowers bloom
Then we hold hands with loved ones.
Sweet dreams
Sweet dreams.
Yes, I remember Mother . . .
I remember Mother and Daddy. They are good memories.
XXX
Just a few of the surnames I am researching are Wood(s), Sim(m)s, Glover, Stewart, Craft, Wagoner, Wilson, Martin, Carpenter, Eason, Bartlett, Underhill, Phillips, O'Dell, Horn(e), Edmundson, (Edmondson, Edmunson), Mitchell, Dingman, Watson, Duncan, Jeffries, Chambers, Hames, Ross, and Ford, as well as many others. The areas I am searching are England, Ireland, SC, NC, VA, GA, AL, KY, TN, MO, AR, TX.
Jean Wood Dingman, 2345 E. Cherry St. , Paris, Texas 76560 or by the e-mail
address: [email protected] Just post again, if I don't seem to respond.
My telephone number is 903-784-2845. Sometimes there is a message machine.
I am interested in "ALL" spellings of needed names!
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