Leah Harriet (Maddox) Humphreys (1822 - 1901)

Born 22 Feb 1822 in Alabama, USA

Wife of James Humphries — married about 1838 in Alabama, United States

Died 2 Dec 1901 at age 79 in Abilene, Taylor, Texas, USA

Biography

Leah was born in 1822. She was the daughter of Levi Maddox and Elizabeth Hicks. She passed away in 1901.

Note, the original text showed Abigail Phelps in error (Phelps was the maiden name of George's mother rather than wife). Below has been corrected to show Abigail McDonald.

Lafayette County Heritage

Skipworth Historical and Genealogical Society

Family F302 P. 380-381

by JoAnne M McClurg

Humphreys, George and James F302

James Humphreys was born in Georgia 17th of May 1810 The son of George and Abigail McDonald Humphreys. One of his brothers, George Washington, was born the 17th of May 1813 also in Georgia They lived in Alabama before moving to Lafayette County Mississippi in 1835

James married in 1838, we assume in Alabama, to Leah Harriet Maddox, born 1822 in Alabama. Their children were: G W 1839-1842; Susan born in 1841 and married James Glosson; Leah born in 1842 and married E C Baker; Levi born in 1844 and died of measles during the War Between the States; Allen born in 1846 and married Mary Knight, he died in Wink Texas in 1933; T Jeff born in 1848 and married Froe Humphreys, he died in Abilene Texas in 1883; Mary Eve born in 1850 and married D.C. Newton, she died in San Antonio in 1906; Lizzie born in 1853 and married J L Stevenson, she died in Abilene, Texas in 1920; Sally Jane born in 1856 and married Joe Humphreys; Lou Ella born in 1858 and T.J. Dodson, she died in 1945; James born in 1860, he died in Shaffter, Texas in 1891; and Burk born in 1861, he died Topeka Kansas in 1932. Sally Jane and Susan graduated from Concrete Teaching College. James was a Mason and died in 1865 in Lavernia Texas. Leah went to Abilene to live with Lizzy where she died in 1901 and is buried.

George W, married in Mississippi to Elizabeth Anna Patton daughter of Samuel and Mary (Pye) Patton of Lafayette County. George W. and Elizabeth Anna farmed and raised their children; Isabella born in 1842 and married Joe Hall, son of Mansel W. and Delphia (Porter) Hall, they died in San Antonio Texas; Roxana born in 1845 and married Dr. Smith, she died about 1932 in Ark.; Joe born in 1847 and married Sally Jane Humphreys; Alford born in 1850; Mary Vee born in 1853 married W. W. Wyatte; Froe L. born in 1855 married T Jeff Humphreys, she later married D.A. Winters, she died in Abilene, Texas in 1927; Emma J. born in 1857 married Guy Morris of Kansas, she died in Oxford in 1889; George W. born in 1859 married Viola, he died in Jennylind, Arkansas in 1889; Sam P; Gatewood; and Jessie Shirley born in 1868 Vida E Richardson, he died in 1943. In 1872 George W. moved his family to Oxford, Kansas where he started a brick plant and a flour mill that is operating today. Elizabeth Anna died in 1882, and is buried there. The next year George W married Froe Conger in Oxford, Mississippi and they return to Kansas. In 1890 while visiting Lafayette County, Mississippi George W. died and was buried in St Peter's Cemetery. Froe was the daughter of John Conger.

Joe Humphreys joined the Mississippi militia in 1864. He later became a scout for J.C. Forts under the command of Gen Forest Joe attended Oxford school, then moved with his family to Kansas where he and his father bought cattle In 1879 39 Joe married Sally Jane Humphreys in La Vernia Texas. Their honeymoon was a cattle drive with 24 cowboys headed for Buffalo Gap, Texas. Two children were born to Joe and Sally: Annie Lee born in 1880 and Wilbur born in 1883. family moved to Presidio County, Texas by 1885 where Joe ranched, Sally taught school and the children married. Joe was hit by a train in 1938 and soon died. Sally lived until 1948. Wilbur married Casca Rada daughter of Ray H and Rosie (Bobo) Morton in 1911. Rada died in 1946 and Wilbur died in 1964. They are all buried in Marfa, Texas . Wilbur and Rada had Joe, Mack, Verna, and Sam.

Annie Lee Humphreys married Robert Sinclair McCracken in Marfa in 1904. Robert was born in 1881, the son of Robert Presley and Matilda (Steel) McCracken of Wilson County, Texas. Robert was a pharmacist and rancher.. They had Clair born in 1908 and Annie Jo born in 1910. Robert died in 1937 Annie Lee died in 1980. Both are buried in Marfa. Claire married James E Kelly in 1930. They had Pat born in 1934 and married A A Dawson; and Mike born in 1938 and married Rita Risinger in 1971 in Marfa.

Annie Joe McCracken married Norma(n) Camp Markle in 1934 They had JoAnne Lee born in 1939. Norma died in 1960 and buried in Arlington National Cemetery. JoAnne married Donald Lee McClurg, son of H.W. and Bonnie Lou (Weaver) McClurg in 1960. Their children, Lee Anne born in 1963 and Bill H.W. born in 1966 are living in Texas.

by JoAnne M McClurg

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La Vernia News Publication: La Vernia, Texas, newspaper Page: Community: p5 Note: James Humphreys, He supported Education and the Baptist Church by Shirley Grammar

"By the Grace of God I am what I am" This epitaph is inscribed on the tombstone of early settler James Humphreys, interred in Historic Concrete Cemetery in section "D" adjacent to his grandchildren, James Jefferson Newton and Infant Newton; children of Darius Cade and Mary Eve Humphreys Newton.

James Humphreys was born in Augusta Georgia, May 10, 1810 to George (1772-1865) and Abigail McDonald Humphreys (1768-1849) buried in the Yellow Leaf Cemetery, Lafayette County, Mississippi. George and Abigail were originally buried on their plantation but later moved to Yellow Leaf Baptist Church Cemetery. James' siblings were: Nancy, Joseph, Elizabeth, Allen, Jesse, Rebecca, Alexander & George Washington.

James married Leah Harriet Maddox 1838 in Alabama, the daughter of Levi Maddox.

In 1851 James and his family came to the southeast corner of Guadalupe County and settled in the community of Bethesda. He purchased 177 acres from Wm. J. Gouger in December of that year. A witness to the deed was early settler J.F. Tiner.

An article titled "Old Seguin" published in the sguin Enterprise April 27, 1900 described some of these early settlers along the Cibolo as "magnificent men with true citizenship." One of the settlers named in this article was James Humphreys. The article states: "nearly all of these men were gentlemen of large means who gave tone to the country, were lavish in their hospitality, and from an intellectual standpoint were the peers of the people of any country. For the most part they were the old time southern gentlemen of courtly bearing, their families trained in all the elegancies of the times, and with their large plantations, slaves and immense herds of horses and cattle, they were "each in his place a Lord."

James and Leah Harriet had 12 children: George, Susan (Glosson), Leah (Barker), Levi, Allen, Jefferson, Mary Eve (Newton), Elizabeth (Stephenson), Sally (Humphries), Lou (Dodson), James and Jesse. The last four were born Texans!

In 1860, we find James and Leah Harriet living as neighbors to Rev. R.M.Currie, J.F. Tiner, Samuel McClain, James Newton and John T Montgomery.

James Humphreys was a Mason and very dedicated to the Brahan Masonic Lodge. His son, Jeff, served as Worshipful Master of the Lodge (1874-1877). James was one of the early lodge members who saw the need for an education for the children of Bethesda and agreed to donate land for a school building, therefore on September 14, 1858 James Humphreys signed a deed donating four acres to school trustees, William D. Scull, James Newton and John F. Tiner and their successors in office. The land was surveyed in a square so as to embrace a concrete school house which had already been erected. Bethesda School was built upon the summit of the bluff, west of Elm Creek, and across from the William D. Scull property. The east end of the building was used for female students and the west end for male students. Future plans included a separate building on the west end of the property for the male students. He stipulated in his deed that the Baptists were to use the building one-third of the time for worship services, the Methodists one-third and the Presbyterians the other third, and should the building ever cease to be used as a school and church, then the land would revert back to James or the Humphreys heirs. The deed was witnessed by his neighbor, Rev. R.M.Currie. The building was also used for Masonic Lodge meetings and other community activities. Unfortunately the building burned in 1867. My plans include a historical marker for this site.

James Humphreys was a Baptist and served as Deacon of the Cibolo Baptist Church. His daughter, Lou, married the Rev. T.J.Dodson, a Baptist Minister in Seguin and they are buried in San Geronimo Cemetery. Another daughter, Leah, married Emory C. Barker and in 1871 they built the "Barker Mansion" (as it was called by Historian and writer Gail Shriber). The present owners of the rock house are Mike and Shirley Huebinger who are carefully restoring the home. Leah and Emory Barker are buried in the MIller Creek Cemetery in Blanco County. Susan Humphreys married James Glosson and their little daughter, Susan Olivia, is buried near her grandfather in Concrete Cemetery. She was 8 years old when she passed away. Susan and James are buried in the Phillips Cemetery in Dripping Springs, Texas.

Allen Humphreys, a member of Brahan Lodge, married Mary Knight and they are buried in Wink, Texas. Jeff married Frotilla Humphreys and they are buried in the Municipal City Cemetery in Abilene. James, Jr. died at Shafter, Presidio County and Jesse Burk Humphreys passed away in Topeka Kansas. George died young in Alabama and Levi died with measles during the Civil War.

Mary Eve Humphreys married Darius Cade Newton, son of James Henry Newton. They are buried in City Cemetery #6, San Antonio. Elizabeth married J.L.Stephenson and they are buried in the Municipal City Cemetery, Abilene. Sally married Joseph Humphreys and they lived at Marfa. It is recorded in the family Bible that Susan and Sally graduated from the "Concrete TeachingCollege" near Cuero. James Humphreys served as a Private in Captain Claiborne Rector's "Old Cibolo Guard." He passed away December 29 1865 and was the 14th person laid to rest in Concrete Cemetery. After the death of James, Leah Harriet (1822-1901) went to Abilene to live with her daughter Elizabeth. She is buried in the Municipal City Cemetery near her son Jeff.

I would like to thank the following for sharing family history: Merleen Gholdsotn of Newbury Park, California, Lila Konstantin of Houston, and Joe Bunch of Austin. Date: 29 Sep 2005

This information was saved from the following website accessed April, 2017.

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=merleen_gholdsto&id=I39

Note, there is no date given for the publication of this information. It had to be sometime after 1901 as there is reference to that date of death for Leah Harriet.

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Birth 22 Feb 1822 • Marion, Alabama, United States

Marriage 13 Sep 1838 • Marion, Perry, Alabama, United States James Humphries (1810–1865)

Birth of Son George Washington Humphries (1839–1842) 1839 • Alabama, United States

Birth of Daughter Susan Humphries (1841–1928) 03 Feb 1841 • Marion, Alabama, United States

Birth of Daughter Leah Humphries (1842–1931) 19 Jun 1842 • Alabama, United States

Death of Son George Washington Humphries (1839–1842) 1842 • Alabama, United States

Birth of Son Levi Humphries (1844–1861) 1844 • Mississippi, United States

Birth of Son Allen Humphries (1846–1933) 9 Apr 1846 • Oxford, Lafayette County, Mississippi, United States of America

Birth of Son Thomas Jefferson Humphries (1848–1883) 24 Apr 1848 • Oxford, Lafayette, Mississippi, United States

Birth of Daughter Mary Eve Humphries (1850–1906) 1850 • Mississippi, United States

Residence 1850 • Lafayette, Mississippi Jas Humphries 40 Leah H Humphries 28 Susan Humphries 9 Leah Humphries 7 Levi Humphries 6 Allen Humphries 4 Jefferson Humphries 2

Birth of Daughter Elizabeth Lizzie Houston Humphries (1853–1920) 16 Apr 1853 • Texas, United States

Birth of Daughter Sally Jane Humphries (1856–1948) 4 Jan 1856 • Texas

Birth of Daughter Lou Ella Louisa Humphries (1858–1945) 11 Mar 1858 • Texas, United States of America

Birth of Son Jesse James Humphries (1860–1890) 10 May 1860

Residence 1860 • Guadalupe, Texas, United States Jas Humphries 50 Harriet H Humphries 38 Susan Humphries 19 Leah Humphries 17 Levi Humphries 16 Allen Humphries 14 Jefferson Humphries 12 Mary J Humphries 9 Eliz Humphries 7 Sarah J Humphries 4 Louisa Humphries 2 Jesse Humphries 1/12

Birth of Son J Burke Humphries (1861–1932)

Death of Son Levi Humphries (1844–1861) 22 Nov 1861 • Nashville, Davidson, Tennessee, United States

Death of Husband James Humphries (1810–1865) 29 Dec 1865 • Lavernia, Wilson, Texas, United States

Residence 1870 • Precinct 3, Guadalupe, Texas, USA Residence Post Office: Seguin A Humphreys 21 L H Humphreys 45 Lizzie Humphreys 17 Sarah Humphreys 15 Louisa Humphreys 12 James Humphreys 10 J B Humphreys 8

Residence 1880 • Seguin, Guadalupe, Texas, USA Marital status: Widowed; Relation to Head of House: Self H. Humphreys 54 Lou Humphreys 21 L. Stephenson 26 Lydia Stephenson 5 John Stephenson

Death of Son Thomas Jefferson Humphries (1848–1883) 29 Oct 1883 • Buried Abiline, Texas, United States

Death of Son Jesse James Humphries (1860–1890) 26 Oct 1890 • Presidio, Presidio, Texas, United States

Death 2 Dec 1901 • Abilene, Jones, Texas, United States

Sources

Lafayette County Heritage Skipworth Historical and Genealogical Society Family F302 P. 380-381 by JoAnne M McClurg

La Vernia News Publication: La Vernia, Texas, newspaper Page: Community: p5 Note: James Humphreys, He supported Education and the Baptist Church by Shirley Grammar

1850 Census [1]

1860 Census [2]

1870 Census [3]

1880 Census [4]

findagrave memorial with headstone photo [5]

• Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 17 October 2018), memorial page for Leah Harriet Maddox Humphreys (22 Feb 1822–2 Dec 1901), Find A Grave: Memorial #61992923, citing Abilene Municipal Cemetery, Abilene, Taylor County, Texas, USA ; Maintained by Howard Busch (contributor 47282333) .