Stephen Lacy Davis (1798 - 1882)

Born 1798 in Pendleton, Anderson County, South Carolina, USA

Ancestors

Husband of Mahulda Virginia (Anderson) Davis — married 12 Feb 1821 in Marengo County, Alabama, USA

Descendants

Died 1882 at about age 84 in Carthage, Panola County, Texas, USA

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Biography

Son of "Brooks Hall Davis & Sarah Lacy"

Married 17 FEB 1821 in Marengo County, Alabama to Mahulda Virginia Anderson 1805–1865

CHILDREN Melissa Davis 1821– Francis A Davis 1824– Elizabeth A Davis 1826–1892 Dorcas Davis BONDS 1828–1923 Caroline L Davis 1835–1855 Sarah Jane Davis POLLARD 1837–1894 Cynthia Ann Davis ANDERSON 1840–1900 Mariam Celestine Davis 1843– Mehulda Virginia Davis ANDERSON 1844–1938

13 Nov 1849 - POSTMASTER - Pulaski, Panola County, TX

CARTHAGE THE COUNTY SEAT AND ITS HISTORY & Interview With Mehulda Virginia Davis Anderson AKA Mrs. T L Anderson Daughter of Stephen Lacy Davis & Mahulda Virginia Anderson

Pulaskie on the east side of the Sabine River was once the county seat of Panola County. Dissatisfaction arose as to the location. In 1849 Carthage, which is located within two miles of the geographical center of the county was selected by public vote. One hundred acres were donated by Mr. Jonathan Anderson of Shelby County. Mr. Anderson crossed the Sabine River in 1819, at Logansport, Louisiana, on the day be was twenty-one years old and settled a few miles from the present site of Carthage, which was then known as a part of Shelby County. This fine pioneer citizen lived to the ripe old age of ninety-one years.

Carthage was named by 'Major Holland; and Panola County, by Judge John Allison, each in memory of their native state—Mississippi—the former for his "home town" and the latter for his "native county." In collecting data concerning Carthage's early history, Mrs. T. L. Anderson, one of the county's oldest citizens, having passed her ninety-first birthday, assisted greatly. She is the mother of a large family of children, four of whom reside in Carthage. These are: Dr. Irwin Anderson, W. D. Anderson, Mrs. Henry Matthews, and Miss Meter Anderson. The following is given as related: "Pulaski on the east side of the Sabine River was once county seat of the county. It was there I was born in 1844. In 1848 a petition was gotten, up to change it. There was some rivalry existing between other contestants as to a desirable site. The Legislature ordered an election. John Anderson donated one hundred acres for the site of this town, therefore won the election. From this day Carthage, the name chosen, has held this honor.

"At this time the country was a solid forest of giant trees of all kinds, and all kinds of wild animals abounded. It was a common sight to see a mother deer with her baby lying by her side as one rode by in these woodlands. Regulators and Moderators rode these paths to warn all new-comers they were not wanted in this region, The double-barrel shot gun was carried to kill just such trespassers. My father S. L. Davis also carried his gun every time he left our house. (This was before Carthage was elected.) "There were no saw mills here at that time. Trees were cue down and hewn into logs and made into dwellings with shelters for windows and dirt floors. The jail, courthouse, stores, and saloons were all made of logs. There were no churches or school houses. My father ran a hotel on the corner where Grimes Babery now is. It extended to the Christian Church where a garden and negro quarters were found. Where the ice plant is, there was a tan yard and a spring of cold water. Later a whiskey still was put in, then the whiskey flowed freely, often mixed with blood. As a little girl, I've often seen sand soaked streets with blood shed in public feuds and confusion. All schools were held in the "Old Masonic Hall" that stood where Jerry Long's old house now stands. Here I learned my abc's and three R's from the Blue-back Speller. The "Hall" was used by all denominations. When a preacher did come, everybody turned out to hear him. All the north corner of the square where Jones store is was a small log house used as a jail. I've been in it, though not as a trespasser. Near the Central Baptist Church where the late Judge T. E. Boren's home burned at that time was owned by Mr. Arch McKay, the owner of a grain mill located) where A. J. Holmes residence now is. It was later burned by a young woman because it got on her nerves. In these early days things were serene, and all traffic was done in wagons over dusty roads.

Sam Sprauls had a. ginger cake and beer shop on the corner now occupied by Jim Bird's brick building. He did his baking in a big brick oven on the street that passed Bert Bakers old house. These ginger cakes were a foot long and an inch thick. My how my mouth watered for a mere bite. These were the days that fortunate was the girl that could boast of a store bought pair of stockings, but walked bare-footed almost to the church and then dressed her feet and walked in "Priscilla" style. No young man kept a young lady out nights later than ten o'clock. She wasn't considered a desirable maiden if she crossed her limbs in public or dared expose more than her toes and ankles. I've lived to see many, many changes, both good! and bad. May the time never come when my folks become too modern to meditate upon the old fashioned days with its ways.

Here our story takes up the reflections of others. The first frame courthouse was built in 1850. The lumber was sawed with hand saws by S. T. Hooker, the father of H. T., V. D. and Bill Hooker, and Mesdames C. D. Lacy and A. L. Ross of this city and Joe Hooker of Beaumont. In 1856 it was torn down and a brick erected. In 1884 the contract for the present courthouse and jail was let to Dr. J. H. Mc-Daniel and Mr. Bert Baker by Judge T. E. Boren and built during Judge J. H. Long's first administration. Some of the pioneer families are as follows: Lacys, Andersons, Darnells, Davis, Borens, Reeves, Fites, Chilcoates, Moores, Bakers McKays, Watsons, Hendricks, Rosses, Fraziers, Neals, Hawthorns, Hookers, Forsyths, Pollards, Ohataws, Fikes, Longs, Snows, Alsups, Thompsons, Trabues, and Quests.

Mr. and Mrs. Ben Lacy, who had a hotel during these early days on the site of the present residence of their son C. D. Lacy, encountered many experiences of much color. Mr. Lacy recalls an incident that occurred when he was quite a small lad in the hotel dining room. A heated argument between two half-drunk men they arose to settle it with guns in the presence of some twenty others. Just as they reached the climax, Mrs. Lacy entered with spans of hot biscuits and put to flight these two would-be killers—the only ones left. The other men decided that safety lay in flight.

Again, during the midst of the Civil War the Yankees invaded Carthage and took all food supplies that could be found. It chanced that Mrs. Lacy discovered that they had not only taken her barrel of sugar but a bale of cotton and loaded them on the wagon ready to drive away. She got her shot gun, that she knew how to use, and again men decided "safety was in flight." She was truly a courageous woman who dared to do to protect her home and family. The hotel of these scenes was burned in 1884.

The "Pioneer Race Track" was on the street from where the Central Baptist Church is now located across the square, east to the present Santa Fe Station. The old Masonic Hall was the first building used for a school building, the "Academy", was located on the site of Miss Margie E. Neal's home. The first high school was called the Panola Male and Female College and was founded by L. C. Libby. Some of the educators that pioneered Carthagenians' education were as follows: Prof. Grey; Mrs. Forstson; Prof. Rucks; Prof. Scroggs; Mrs. Demetra Hill, who taught in a building, the present site of Brookshire's store; Prof. Chatham!, who was also postmaster at one time; Prof. O. P. Carswell, who still resides here; later superintendents were L. C. Libby, Dr. O. H. Cooper, C. L. Turner, and L. M. Logan and many other worthy ones. Another teacher that is much loved and appreciated that still resides here is Mrs. Maurine Frazier Duke, a sister of Prof. Libby. Her work as a primary teacher is one of the best Carthage schools has ever known.

Some of the earliest citizens that made themselves known beyond their home and bringing special honor to themselves were Capt. DeBerry, the first Secretary of State of the first Democratic administration after the Civil War in 1874 during Governor Cooke's administration; Dr. O. H. Cooper, State Dept. of Education, President of Baylor University, Simon's College, Prof, in the State University. Earlier even than this Dr. O. H. Cooper's uncle Tom Rosser, just a farmer lad, received an appointment to West Point, graduated in 1861 and received the rank of general. S. S. Baker, a most capable and truly Christian gentleman endeared himself to his people in many official capacities. In later years Claude Pollard, who served his town and county in many capacities, served his state as Attorney-General and in other offices. Our one-time local teacher, newspaper owner, and editor of the Register, Miss Margie E. Neal, was the first woman Senator of Texas and: is now doing an efficient work in the Federal Education department. The State Senate conferred many honors on her out of appreciation of her efficiency and sterling worth) and faithful service rendered during her terms of senator-ship. Now she is in direct line of a high promotion in her present field of activity. Time marches on. So different from most old towns the city's plot is modern with most streets comfortably wide, and the parkways are beautified with native trees and evergreens, making "today's Carthage" a little city with all the finer attributes expected to culminate in time from the wonderful basic construction and ideals of the organizers and the "follow up" contributions made by descendants and new residents from decade to decade. In proportion to its populace there can't be found a more highly cultured people or more progressive, though conservative, business atmosphere, civic interest, loyal Christians, moral citizenery, wholesome and edifying social life, and universal interest in schools and; city's growth.

The reformation from "country town" to "city like" began with the incorporation of the town November 13, 1902 under council form. Mr. John C. Whitney (deceased) was the first Mayor; L. W. Allred, City Attorney; and Councilmen, H. C. Pankey, A. S. Ross, J. L. Holt, George M. Burton, and Dr. S. A. Woodyard. Then the incorporation was voted off for a time, but soon this backward step moved forward. However, the commissioners' form was adopted and went into effect in 1913. Judge J. H. Long came forth again to serve his people in a new capacity—City Mayor. His commissioners were Messrs. R. P. Ash, J. W. Bird, and W. G. Banks-, City Secretary. Other mayors that have served faithfully and efficiently are as follows: A. L. Ross, J. W. Bird, T. J. Wooten, who served several terms, Dr. J. A. Daniels, and our present mayor, A. L. Davis. Commissioners that gave and are still giving unstintingly of their time, business knowledge, and means are as follows: J. W. Bird, R. P. Ash, H. T. Hooker, Charlie Reeves, D. C. Hill, John Young, C. E. Moore E. C. Clabaugh, H. V. Halcombe, S. E. Matthews, and N. A. Hawthorne. Efficient and; faithful City Secretaries are Judge R. W. Priest, C. D. Lacy and B. S. Atkinson is the present acting one.

Mayor A. L. Davis, the present mayor, is "carrying on" splendidly, finishing some projects and doing other beneficial and needed things. He has beautified the Boulevard, placed a five foot walk in the center, and; had much work done on the streets. Sidewalks have been extended, and his cooperation with school projects has been most valuable, making it safe for the boys and girls of Carthage to come and go to school. A new fire truck and fire station have been added to the city's possessions, while the most careful attention is constantly given to city sanitation.

Carthage's professional men are of high rank and rightly merit the loyal support of our citizens. They have and still are giving efficient service in their fields of activity. In the medical profession there are Doctors T. E. Anderson, L. C. Hooker, A. M. Baker, C. D. Baker, C. F. Hull, S. L. Boren, and Arthur Smith, Supervisor of the Carthage Hospital. Four recent doctors are C. C. Comer, J. S. Neal, J. A. Daniels, and H. A. Ross. The three first ones are deceased and the last was a generous contribution to Longview. In Dentistry there are Doctors D. T. Allison and P. B. Koonce, each with up-to-date office equipment. The "local bar" is indeed capable of righting the wrongs. These solons are as follows: J. H. Long, P. P. Long, Travis Long, J. G. Wool worth, J. G. Strong, S. B. Turner, Sam T. Holt, Ross Duran, D. C. Cariker, Fred Whitaker, and the late B. Baker.

• • • MENTIONED IN THIS STORY***

I Highlighted Any Names We Are Related To & Explain Who Some Are.

Mrs. T L Anderson = Mehulda Virginia Davis M. Thomas Lee Anderson's Wife

Dr. Irwin Anderson = T. E. Anderson = Thomas Irwin Anderson

W. D. Anderson = Walter Davis Anderson

Mrs. Henry Matthews = Virginia Lee Anderson M. William Henry Matthews

Miss Meter Anderson = Demetra Hill Anderson *Note the School Teacher Mrs. Demetra Hill, Thomas Lee & Mehulda Virginia (Davis) Anderson Must Have Really Thought Highly Of Her To Name Thier Daughter After Her.

S. L. Davis = Stephen Lacy Davis M. Mehulda Virginia Anderson

C. D. Lacy = Charles Darnell Lacy Son Of

M r. and Mrs. Ben Lacy = Benjamin Burton Lacy + 2ed Wife=Pheriba Jane Rushing His 1st Wife Was Pernecy Holland Who was the Daughter of William C Holland + Sarah Jane Davis Who Was The Sister to Stephen Lacy Davis & Daughter Of Brooks Hall Davis + Sarah Lacy

Claude Pollard M.Julia Samuella Newton & Was The Son Of Hamilton Pollard M. Sarah Jane Davis Who Was The Sister to Mehulda Virginia Davis & Daughter Of Stephen Lacy Davis M. Mehulda Virginia Anderson

Sources

• Memorial on Find A Grave

• Ancestry Tree w/ Records