Bethany

In another post, I told the story of a presentation on the life of one of Stanly Counties early and best known doctors, Dr. Francis Kron, his family and his uncle-in-law Henry Delamothe.

Delamothe had migrated to America during one of North Carolina's early gold rushes in search of wealth, had obtained large amounts of land in Montgomery County and having no heirs, enticed his well-bred, well-educated niece and her husband to come join him in this virtual wilderness.

Dr. Kron had shown some signs of enjoying his little self-made piece of paradise, but at other times seemed discontent and disjointed by the lack of manners and refinement in his country neighbors, although he would admit that some of them were good-hearted, hard working honest people, still scores of others he found dishonest and uncouth.

Henry Delamothe had promised to make the Krons his heirs, and he did, but at some point had a falling out and Delamothe, a very old man for the times at this point, decided to create his own heir. He married a young Montgomery County girl, only a teenager at the time, although he himself was over 70. Apparently, he was not able physically to produce his own heir, so he devised a scheme, recorded with slyness and a snicker, by Dr. Kron, and hired a 'stranger' to assist in bringing an heir into his home. This worked, and a little girl named Nancy was born. Just a few years later, to Delamothe's dismay, another heiress was born into his household, a girl named Elizabeth or Lizzie. Lizzie was not according to plan. The stranger was to create one heir and no more. Delamothe would revise his will, leaving the mandatory dower to Bethany Delamothe, his wife, but only 50 cents each to his legal, albeit not biological, daughters.

He also mentioned the possibility of any other heirs arriving before his death, or shortly after, as children born posthumously to a point were also heirs, that they too, would only get 50 cents, which was worth more than it is today, but based on Delamothes wealth, was but a trifling amount.

Yesterday in searching deeds in Montgomery County, I came across these little tidbits and decided to share.

October 3 1835  (Montgomery County Extant Deeds) Henry Delamothe to Joseph Smithson - "that said Henry Delamoth hath sold to said Joseph Smithson one plantation going by the name of Chisholm old place supposed to contain 300 acres on the Yadkin river for the sum of $1000.00 which is to be paid in the manner following viz" $520.00 on or before the 25th of Dec. next, one sorrel horse at the price of $80.00 to be delivered sound betwizt the date of these presents and the 25th of Dec. next and four hundred dollars on or before the 25th of December 1836.

Signed   H. Delamoth, Joseph Smithson

Witnesses: L. Harris, Joseph Russell





Then 3 years later, Henry Delamothe had passed away and the young widow Bethany, just in her early 20's wasted no time getting married and most likely to her dear Stranger. Page 159 reads:
"" 11 April 1839 William Morgan and Bethany Delamothe- Marriage Contract-
"As she has been broken up by the loss of one husband, she feels it her duty to secure herself so that she may not be broke up by the loss of another one first if I. W. Morgan depart this life before the said Bethany Delamothe, all the property is to be hers and no one else's to do as she pleases with during her life and after she is down with it to go to the heirs of her body and also the increase of the negroes, all go the same way. Second if the sd. Bethany Delamothe depart this life before I. Willis  does all the property that is on hand and the increase of the negroes shall be mine to do as I please with during of my life and after I am done with it, it will then go to the heirs of the said Bethany Delamothe body and no one else. "

Signed: Willis Morgan, Bethany (X) Delamothe

Witness: E. F. Morgan

The document is crude, coarse, insensitive and politically incorrect, but I've learned to understand to accept the times as they were and to understand that the people of that time were in a different mindset and moral, but still intensibly and tragically human.

Knowing the story, I found this entry interesting to say the least and a bit humorous in its wording. Obviously written by Mr. Morgan, by the use of the term "I" in the later part, he signed his name, but Bethany, obviously could neither read nor write. However, she wan't to make sure she had property should she outlive this next husband and probably a bit worried that he was marrying her only for her inheritance and that he might divorce her, or worse, for the land.

The Morgan's must have shortly sold the property after the marriage, because it is known that they migrated South to Georgia and had 5 children born within their marriage.

Nancy Delamothe likely died young, as no more trace of her exists. Her younger sister, Sarah Elizabeth "Lizzie" Delamothe/Morgan married at age 16 to Thomas Wilkerson in Coweta, Georgia as Sarah Elizabeth Morgan, and died in Jack County, Texas.
Lizzie's marriage license is further evidence that Willis Morgan was most likely the stranger hired by Henry Delamothe to sire his heir.

Bethany Bailey born 1806 to John Bailey and Elizabeth Dennis Bailey in Randolph County, North Carolina. Grew up in Montgomery County, North Carolina.

Married Henry Delamothe, about 1830 or prior.

Two daughters, Nancy and Sarah Elizabeth born prior to Henry Delamothe's death in 1839.

Married I. Willis Morgan in April of 1839

Five children born after the marriage to Willis Morgan:
Rosannah 1840-1915
Margaret 1841- unk.
John Thomas 1842-1922
William Harrison 1844-1927
MaryEtta 1848-1894

Bethany died June 7, 1867 in Palmetto County, Georgia

The Bible of Caleb Hampton Aldridge

Caleb Hampton Aldridge was the oldest brother of my Great-Great Grandmother, Frances Julina Aldridge Davis. He was the son of Henry Garner Aldridge and Priscilla Murray Aldridge, otherwise known as Garner and Prussia, while Caleb Hampton was better known as "Hamp". He was named for Garner's father Caleb Aldridge, Jr., the progenitor of the Aldridge family in Stanly County, North Carolina.

Hamp was born in 1843 and died in 1912. He was married twice, to sisters. First, to Sophia Floyd and second to her sister, Elizabeth "Betty" Floyd McSwain Aldridge, a widow. They were daughters of Josiah Floyd, Jr. and Sarah "Sally" Easley Floyd.

This is the first page of Hamp's family Bible. It is very old and hard to read. On the left it says "C H Aldridge Cottonville, N C .  I am not sure what the CO means or of the intials on the left. It could be information that was recorded and faded away. I have copies in dark and light. Some of the images are readable in one light and not the other.

The left side starts with   George Smith was born Dec 4 1888.
Below that  it says "Lee Smith was born Jun 14 1891
Ida Smith was born Mar (can't make out the number 1892
Willie Smith was born Nov 4 1894

These are legible on the dark print, which does not copy well, but not on the lighter on. These were children of Martha Ella McSwain Smith, daughter of Hamp's second wife Bettie, by her first husband John C McSwain.

The next four listed names are the daughters of Ella McSwain Smith's daughter Inez C. McSwain, and are also the grandchildren of Hamp Aldridge, as he was the father of Inez C. McSwain.

Lenora McSwain was born Sep the 25 1891
Varina McSwain was born feb the 27 1892
Renie Hooks was  July 9 1894
Lina Sep 6 1896

The second page must have been older than the first, as it lists the children of Hamp Aldridge and the first page listed grandchildren.

The left side says:
C H Aldridge borned  feb the 18 1845
E P Aldridge borned June 19 1840   (this is referring to Elizabeth "Bettie" Aldridge, his second wife).
M E McSwain bornd Aug 18 1854  (this is Martha Ella McSwain, daughter of Bettie, mentioned above).
G G Aldridge bornd oct 27 1866 (this is George Gillaim Aldridge, Hamp's son by 1st wife Sophia)
W C Aldridge bornd Oct 25 1870 (this is William Crowell Aldridge oldest son of Hamp and Bettie together)
F J Aldridge bornd Feb the 19 1872 (this is daughter Francis J Aldridge, perhaps named for his sister)
H F Aldridge bornd Jan the 2 1874 (this is Henry F Aldridge who moved to Davidson County, NC)
I C McSwain bornd Mar 10 1878 (this is Inez C McSwain, daughter of M. E above and Hamp)

The right side continues naming the children of Hampton Aldridge:

R I Aldridge bornd Jan the 15 1876 or 1879 (this is Rebecca Isabell Aldridge and is a little hard to read. At first glance, the initials look like a B J and the year like 1876. But he is listing his children in order and the next one in line is Rebecca Isabell and other records have her birthdate as January 15 1876)
W S Aldridge bornd May the 25 1878 (this is daughter Wincy S. Aldridge who married Cornelius Harward)
A F Aldridge bornd  Aug the 4th 1881 (this is son Algie Foy Aldridge)
M H Aldridge bornd dec the 23 1886 (this is an unknown child who must have died before the 1900 census)
S L Aldridge borned  feb the 21 1888(this is daughter Sarah Elizabeth who married an Eury)

Across the bottom of the page he scrawled "Stanly County NC".

The Caleb Hampton Aldridge Bible gives an accurate listing of all of his children and some of his grandchildren. Without it we would not know there was an M. H. Aldridge.

Another Leaf Fallen From the Family Tree: William Robert Almond, Sr.

William Robert Almond was born April 25, 1927 in Albemarle, Stanly County, North Carolina to Ollie and Lucy Jane Varner Almond. He was a Veteran of WWII.  He married Zora Bell Lambert, the youngest daughter of Elias Marion Lambert and his second wife, Emma Fairy Bell Huneycutt. She was the youngest sister of my grandfather. William Robert Almond, Sr. was my great-uncle and passed away this past Thursday, January 24, 2013. Aunt Zora had passed in September of 2008.

They left behind 3 children, Doris, Patti and Bill, 6 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. They stayed very active and I always looked forward to seeing them at the county fair. He will be greatly missed by all that knew him. The world has lost a great and kind man. RIP.

Hartsell Obituary


Stanly News and Press Obituary

The Howell's Part One: Richard

I began the Howell saga with Richard, the first known for certain Howell in this leg of the family. Richard was not a child of Job Davis. Instead, he was Job's wife's first husband and the father of Job's step-children.

Not a great deal is known about Richard at this juncture and some of what is known is basically assumed.

Richard does not appear in the 1790 census as a Head of Household. However, it would make sense that he was in the area at the time, as this is the year he marries Sarah "Sally" Winfield, according to the Southern Christian Advocate.

The first census that Richard does show up in is the 1800 census, Fayettville District, Anson County. His name is listed directly under that of his Father-in-law, Peter Winfield.

Name:	Richard Howell
Home in 1800 (City, County, State):	Fayetteville, Anson, North Carolina
Free White Persons - Males - Under 10:	3
Free White Persons - Males - 26 thru 44:	1
Free White Persons - Females - 16 thru 25:	1
Number of Household Members Under 16:	3
Number of Household Members Over 25:	1
Number of Household Members:	5

Richard would be the adult male in this census and born between 1756 and 1774. Sarah, whom we know by her tombstone and subsequent census records, was born in June of 1773 is listed as being betwenn 16 and 25, or born between 1775 and 1784. So we know the census takers made mistakes. As Richard was likely not considered an adult in 1790, he was probably under 21, or born between 1769 and 1774.

He made his will out on May 31, 1802 and it was admitted to probate in the October session of Court in Anson County during the October session of 1802. Richard died young, and knew that he was sick, dying sometime between June 1 and October of 1802.

He mentions his wife Sarah or Sally:

"After my just debts are honestly paid, first, I lend unto my loving wife Sally Howell, during her widowhood, all my estate both real and personal, to raise my children on, but if she should  marry then, I give all to be equally divided  among all my surviving children and Loving wife equally."

He appoints his friend, William Marshall as executor. The Marshall family had close ties with the Winfields and migrated from Virginia with them in the 1780's.

Richard does not mention his children, but the 3 boys listed in the 1800 census were John W, Peter and Jordan. Exacting the direct birth order of these 3 might lend a hand in deciding the father of Richard Howell as the Winfield's and others of their ilk were exact in the naming strategy of their children. Daughter Charlotte was not born until later in 1800 or in 1801.

Peter Winfield was from a family of wealth and status and surely would not have allowed his daughters to marry beneath them, so Richard must have came from a family of some status and property.

Witnessing his will were James Marshall, James Morrison, husband of Sarah's sister, Ancena Winfield Morrison Avett and Jordan Howell.

This Jordan Howell does not show up in the 1790 census and his son Jordan would have only been a small child of 4 to 6 upon his father's death. This Jordan does show up in the 1800 census, with 1 male 26 to 44, 1 female 16 to 25 and one female under 10.

There is mention of an older Jordan in Fayetteville later, with Richards' sons John W and Jordan moving there while Peter stayed in Anson on the Rocky River, after buying his siblings share of their fathers lands. Charlotte married Levi Stancill and later moved to Newton County, Georgia.

Howell's in the 1790 census were Hardy, Hopkin, John, Joseph, Lewis, Lewis, Stephen and William.

One of them was likely the father of Richard and Jordan who witnessed his will was likely his brother.

Jordan would later migrate to Tennessee and end his days in Missouri. He seems to have been born in the early 1780's. But that is another post.

Richard was a young man who fell ill. His mention of love for his wife mulitple times in his will leads one to believe they deeply cared for each other. He seems like a wonderful, loving husband and father.

The Migrations of Jacob Wiley Eudy

Jacob Wiley Eudy was born on  October 14, 1834. Some descendents claim his place of birth as the town of Mount Pleasant in Cabarrus County, but land records prove he farmed on property located in both the counties of Stanly and Cabarrus. His earliest acquistions and the property of his father was in Stanly, so it is most likely he was born in Stanly County near the community of Endy.  Land records mention Ramsey branch and Little Bear Creek which run near Canton Church and the Endy community. Ramsey road crosses Ramsey branch and runs from Endy Road, near Canton Church, an historic old church, and ends at Austin Road, a long road which stretches from New London, in the northern part of the county, to Locust, in the furthest western part of the county. 

The community of Endy and the Endy road, should actually be Eudy and Eudy road. Today, home to not much more than a school, volunteer fire department and a top-notch vineyard, Endy once boasted the best little restaurant in the South, and a post office of whom the postmaster was an Eudy. Due to an error in reading someone's handwriting, the town was labeled "Endy" instead of "Eudy" and it stuck. But it is in this area, just west of Albemarle and South of Mount Pleasant that the Eudy family made their mark. 

A deed from George C. and James R Mendenhall of Guilford County, North Carolina to Jacob Eudy of Stanly County, North Carolina was made on  March 8, 1854 for 2 tracts of land on the waters of Ramsey's creek adjoining Nelson Shoe and Alexander Sides.

On March 26, 1856, William Hatley sold Jacob Eudy a tract on the headwaters of Ramsey's branch for $212.50, in Stanly County.

On Feb 22, 1856 John Eudy, father of Jacob Eudy, sold a tract of land to his son for $504, bordering Jacob Misenheimer's corner and Esther Harkey's corner in Cabarrus County.

In 1869, Jacob and wife Elmira, sold a small parcel of land containing a Poll Bridge to a Miss Perlina Lewis for $45.

It seems that in the year 1870, something went sour for the Eudy's.

On the 27th day of April in 1870, Joseph Marshall, esquire, High Sherriff of the County of Stanly and the State of North Carolina made an indenture between himself on behalf of the county and Ms. Adeline Eudy for the properties of Jacob Eudy, "whereas by virtue of a vendition expense issuing from the superior court of Stanly against the property of Jacob Eudy for the sum of $66.80 to which was recovered by judgement of the said Jacob Eudy". His property had been taken and sold to the highest bidder, which was Adeline Eudy, for $85.00 and located on the waters of Bear Creek  adjoining the heirs of Solomon Harkey. (From the record of the Stanly County, Register of Deeds Office, North Carolina).

Bear Creek

Jacob Wiley Eudy Family in Pope County, Arkansas.  

The last land record involving Jacob W. Eudy and wife E. B. Eudy in North Carolina involved the couple and A. B. Coleman. For the sum of $400.00 "said Coleman has this day purchased of the said Eudy a tract of land  situated in the counties of Cabarrus and Stanly adjoining J. Lanier, John Eudy, William Eudy and others containing 165 acres. I have not been able to obtain access to land records in Pope County, Arkansas to acertain when the Eudy family purchased any property there. I do know that they were there by September of 1873, as one young daughter died there in that month, and just 6 days later another daughter was born there.

Jacob Wiley Eudy married Elmira Belinda Furr, the daughter of John Furr and Bonita (or Benetta) Burris Furr of Stanly County, in Albemarle, Stanly County on April 13 of 1854. (Stanly County marriage records).

Jacob enlisted as a Private for duty in the Civil War in 1862.

Name:	Jacob Eudy
Residence:	Cabarrus County, North Carolina
Enlistment Date:	13 Mar 1862
Enlistment Place:	Stanly County, North Carolina
Side Served:	Confederacy
State Served:	North Carolina
Service Record:	Enlisted in Company K, 28th Infantry Regiment North Carolina on 7 Sep 1861. Enlisted as a Private on 13 March 1862 at the age of 27. Transferred Company H, 8th Infantry Regiment North Carolina on 9 Nov 1864. Transferred out of Company K, 28th Infantry Regiment North Carolina on 9 Nov 1864.

Jacob W. Eudy
Spouse Name:	Elmira B. Eudy
Residence Location:	Pope, Arkansas
State Served From:	North Carolina
Division:	Cavalry
Company:	H
Regiment:	Pope
Death Date:	5 Feb 1898
Comments:	widow applied 1903

Apparently he also a member of the Calvary in Pope County, Arkansas. A great many citizens from Stanly and Cabarrus counties of North Carolina migrated to Russelville and Gum Log and other parts of Pope and Pike counties in Arkansas. Payments in the form of land grants for service were likely part of the reason. Another reason was likely the devastion of the years after the war when land went to ruin and the population was reduced to women, children and old men with burnt farms and their property looted and confiscated by Union troops and the government after that.


Jacob and Elmira had a large family, typical of the era. They were the parents of :

Eli Mathias Riley Eudy 1855 - 1934 b NC d Arkansas
Julia Ann Eudy Kirksey 1857 -1937 b NC d Texas
Jonathan Monroe "Jonas" Eudy b 1858 NC -1918 Arkansas
George Martin Eudy b 1859 NC - 1925 Arkansas
Lawson Alexander Eudy b 1865 -1942 Texas
Mary Jane Eudy Linam  b 1865 Stanly County, NC - d 1942 Texas
Janice Rose "Jennie" Eudy b 1870 NC - 1873 Arkansas
Minnie Lorena Eudy Rushing b 1873 Arkansas - d 1962 Texas
John Jacob Eudy b 1876 Arkansas d 1964 Arkansas
Emma Isabell Eudy Forrest Thorton b 1879 Arkansas d 1969 Texas

Jacob Wiley Eudy in later days

JJ Eudy, Elmira Eudy, Jacob Wiley Eudy and Minnie Eudy outside of their home in Pope County, Ark.

Jacob Wiley Eudy would die on February 25, 1898 in Pope County, Arkansas

Eudy Cemetery in Pope County. 

Elmira would relocate to Texas with some of her children. Her last known residence was living with her youngest daughter, Emma. Elmira died January 10, 1909 in Hubbard Hill, Texas.


Younger members of the Eudy family, Jake and Elmira's grandchildren would relocate to New Mexico, California and Oregon. Others would remain in Arkansas and Texas. Eudy descendants, related to the Stanly/Cabarrus Eudy's, are now scattered all over the USA and a few, in other nations. And it began with Jake's migration.

Back to the Howell's

Sometimes, when you get stuck in the muck of one area of research, it is good to just step back and take a breather and look into another, more  successful avenue of research. 

I broke away from the can of worms that was the Howell family awhile back , in frustration. But after discovering a few new leads, and 'meeting' a few wonderful people online who have helped, I've decided to open the jar and jump in the old Howell pool again.  I have several posts started, but not finished that I may try to complete during these days of diligent Howell research. 

But most of my time and attention will be spent on the discoveries of the family and what I can put together of who links to who. First, I am just gathering all the information I can, and making heads or tales of who connects to who that I can.

I will start with what I know and who I know. Richard Howell, the first husband of my 4th great grandmother, Sarah Winfield Howell Davis. I know he died about 1802, and I know he left a will. I know that will was proved by a Jordan Howell. I have discovered that Jordan Howell was born about 1786 and migrated to Tennesse and eventually Missouri.

I know that Richard and Sarah had 4 children: sons Peter, Jordan, John W.  and Charlotte.

Peter married Elizabeth "Betsy" Floyd, daughter of Josiah and Mary Tillman Floyd. The Floyds migrated from Brunswick County, Viginia with Sarah Winfield Howell's second husband Job Davis, for whom this blog was named.

Jordan married a widow from New York State named Hannah Handy and relocated to Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina. He was not the Jordan who signed his father's will, as he would have only been 4 to 6 years old at the time.

John W. married a widow from Connecticutt, Rhode Island and Massachusetts, Clarrissa Harlow Phelps Pearce, the widow of merchant, Nathan Pearce who had migrated down to Fayetteville. John W. also had migrated to Fayetteville.

The only daughter, Charlotte, named for her grandmother, Charlotte Freeman Winfield, married Levi Stancell, a minister, and they would relocate to Newton County, Georgia, where he had family and probably where he had originated.

In this search, I hope to also discover how all the surrounding Howell relate to each other, find out which John Howell among the many in the area at the time, married Ann Small, and possibly, who was the father of Richard Howell and if the older Jordan was his brother, not being old enough to be his father.

Hears to sailing in rough waters in hopes of discovery.

Gooden Hatley and the Other Julia

This document is another piece of the puzzle in my search for the parents of Martin L Lambert. 

Martin L Lambert was born in 1873. He is enumerated in the household of William "Buck" Lambert and his wife Talitha Herrin Lambert in 1880 as their youngest son. He died in 1892 and in buried in Lambert Cemetery No. 1 in the old Lambert community, Almond township in Stanly County, North Carolina, not very far from the Cabarrus County line. The mystery lies in his marriage license. He married on January 9, 1891 at the age of 18, to 16 year old Rose Etta Starnes, daughter of A. M. D. "Mack" Starnes, who lived near him and in the home enumerated just before him in the 1880 census. They must have grown up as playmates. On this document, there is no father listed for Martin, and his mother named as Julia Ann Eudy. 

There were only two Julia Ann Eudy's who lived near the Lamberts who were old enough to be Martin's mother. Other Julia's were not old enough, or born later than he was. I told the story of the one whom I thought most likely to be his mother in my post, "The Interesting Life of Julia Ann Eudy Kirksey". 

The Interesting Life of Julia Ann Eudy Kirksey

But there was another Julia Ann in the Almond community, daughter of John A and Rachel Furr Eudy. This one lived in the Almond Community, not a fair distance from the Lamberts. 

Julia Eady
Age in 1870:	19
Birth Year:	abt 1851
Birthplace:	North Carolina
Home in 1870:	Almond, Stanly, North Carolina
Race:	White
Gender:	Female
Post Office:	Albemarle
Value of real estate:	View image
Household Members:	Name Age John Eady 54 Rachael Eady 50 Julia Eady 19 Franklin Eady 16 Adam Eady 14

This Julia married another Almond Township citizen, Gooden (or Goodwin) Hatley on  September 5, 1874. This was a year and a half after the birth of Martin L. Lambert. 

In the 1880 census, Gooden and Julia were still living in the Almond community.

Julia Hatley
Age:	28
Birth Year:	abt 1852
Birthplace:	North Carolina
Home in 1880:	Almonds, Stanly, North Carolina
Race:	White
Gender:	Female
Relation to Head of House:	Wife
Marital Status:	Married
Spouse's Name:	Gorden Hatley
Father's Birthplace:	North Carolina
Mother's Birthplace:	North Carolina
Neighbors:	View others on page
Occupation:	Keeping House
Cannot read/write: Blind: Deaf and dumb: Otherwise disabled: Idiotic or insane:	View image
Household Members:	Name Age Gorden Hatley 32 Julia Hatley 28 V. R. Hatley 6 Rosa Hatley 4 Ada Hatley 1

All 3 of their children would be born in Stanly County, however, by 1900, they would be living in Texas, just like the other Julia Ann Eudy. 

Julia Hatley
Age:	49
Birth Date:	Mar 1851
Birthplace:	North Carolina
Home in 1900:	Justice Precinct 2, Kaufman, Texas [Kaufman]
Race:	White
Gender:	Female
Relation to Head of House:	Wife
Marital Status:	Married
Spouse's Name:	Goodwin Hatley
Marriage Year:	1874
Years Married:	26
Father's Birthplace:	North Carolina
Mother's Birthplace:	North Carolina
Mother: number of living children:	3
Mother: How many children:	3
Occupation:	View on Image
Neighbors:	View others on page
Household Members:	Name Age Goodwin Hatley 51 Julia Hatley 49 Van Hatley 25 Irene Hatley 23 Ada Hatley 21 Fred Deaton 18

The Hatley family, however, would chose the town of Forney, in Kaufmann County, Texas in which to settle.

Forney is a proud little town in the northeastern quadrant of Texas, just 50 miles outside of Dallas. 

Daughtrey's Billiard Parlor. Photo courtesy of  Forney Country, a History of  NorthWestern Kaufman County by Jerry M. Flook

Forney was founded on the black clay prairies near the East Fork of the Trinity River. The earliest settlers did not begin arriving until around the late 1840's. The railroads did not arrive until about 30 years later. It was originally a primarily hay growing area, with cotton becoming the crop later. 

 Open prairie cattle ranches also sprang up in and near Forney. 

Jerry M. Flook's "History or Forney" describes the area in the 1870's and 1880's as a typical western town of hard-drinking, hard-gambling, hard-working men. 

Forney in the 1870s and early 1880s was known far and wide as a hard drinking, hard gambling, and hard brawling frontier settlement, despite the best efforts of the town fathers to build a progressive, respectable, and law-abiding town. Several tales of those rough-and-tumble days survive and are the stuff of Hollywood wild-west scenes.

-quote from 'The History of Forney' J. M. Flooks. 

The Town was incorporated in 1884 and later disbanded. Around 1914, a major highway was built near the community and growth returned. It was near this highway, the Dixie Overland Highway, that the Hatley family were settled and raised. 

Goodson Hatley [Goodwin Hatley]
Age in 1910:	62
Birth Year:	1848
Birthplace:	North Carolina
Home in 1910:	Forney, Kaufman, Texas
Race:	White
Gender:	Male
Relation to Head of House:	Head
Marital Status:	Married
Spouse's Name:	Julia Hatley
Father's Birthplace:	North Carolina
Mother's Birthplace:	North Carolina
Neighbors:	View others on page
Household Members:	Name Age Goodson Hatley 62 Julia Hatley 59

Goodwin Hatley Age: 71 Birth Year: abt 1849 Birthplace: North Carolina Home in 1920: Forney, Kaufman, Texas Race: White Gender: Male Relation to Head of House: Head Marital Status: Married Spouse's Name: Julia Hatley Father's Birthplace: North Carolina Mother's Birthplace: North Carolina Home Owned: Own Able to Read: Yes Able to Write: Yes Neighbors: View others on page Household Members: Name Age Goodwin Hatley 71 Julia Hatley 68

View Original Record View original image  G Hatley Gender: Male Birth Year: abt 1849 Birthplace: North Carolina Race: White Home in 1930: Forney, Kaufman, Texas View Map Marital Status: Married Relation to Head of House: Head Spouse's Name: Julia Hatley Father's Birthplace: North Carolina Mother's Birthplace: North Carolina Occupation: Education: Military Service: Rent/home value: Age at first marriage: Parents' birthplace: View image Neighbors: View others on page Household Members: Name Age G Hatley 81 Julia Hatley 79 Goodwin and Julia lived a long life in Forney, Texas with their 3 children. Oldest son Van Buren Hatley married a Texas born girl, Lottie Elizabeth McFarland, served in World War I and raised a large family of 10 children: Verner Buren Hatley, Lewis Wetzel Hatley, Irene Julia, Fowler, Nora Lee, Lou Ellen "Peggy", Elizabeth A, Warren G, Ernest Young and Carrie Ann Hatley. Middle child Irene Rose Ann Hatley, married Ernest Young Moore from Georgia and had one son, Goodwin C Moore. Youngest daughter, Ada Ida Hatley married John Smith Robetson, who was born in Arkansas and raised their five children in Kaufman County, Texas: Henry, Kenneth, Edith Claire, Ione Gladys and Daniel C Robertson.

Who was Goodwin's firstborn child whom he was served a Bastardy bond on in Stanly County, North Carolina in 1875? Julia Ann Eudy Hatley only confessed on the censuses to being the mother of the 3 children she and 'Gooden' had in Stanly county. They had no more children, which was rare for the time. Was Gooden a man with wandering eyes, and feet? Was Martin L. Lambert the son of Goodwin and Julia? If so, why did they not raise him as they married the year after he was born? If Martin was the child the bond was served on, why was it served 2 years after he was born and a year after Goodwin and Julia married.

Did Martin's daughter Lotha keep up with her grandmother Julia Ann after she too, moved to Texas? And which Julia was her grandmother, Julia Ann Eudy Kirksey or her cousin,  Julia Ann Eudy Hatley? We may never know.