Married life of Rev. Daniel Morgan Clower & wife: Amanda Prentice

Date: 28 Aug 1970 [unknown]
Location: [unknown]
Surname/tag: Clower

Married life of Rev. Daniel Morgan Clower & wife: Amanda Prentice

Text authored by Lena L (Clower) Bridges, detailing memories of her great-grandfather Daniel Morgan Clower Sr and his wife Amanda M (Prentiss) Clower. This text was found under the 'Memories' tab on his FamilySearch profile (LZ51-7H8).

Rev. Dan married Amanda Prentice May 4, 1836 in Shelby Co., Alabama. Her father was an owner of a large Plantation and had slaves. Rev. Dan did his early preaching to these Slaves, starting his Missionary Witnessing even though he did not call it that. While making plans to come to Texas, his father Jonathan Henry died. His mother, Mary Shular Clower came on with her children.

In 1850, they left Shelby Co., Alabama to go to East Texas. Their dreams were to establish a Methodist Church and preach to the Indians. Traveling by a flat Cotton boat, on which they had piled all their earthly possessions, they traveled down the Alabama River to Mobile Bay and put into the Gulf of Mexico, around to the landing on the Mississippi River They planned to follow Red River to Texas but by mistake, they went too far north and entered the Arkansas River. Seeing their mistake and low on money, they landed in East Arkansas and decided to stay in Drew Co., Arkansas near Monticello.

Mother Mary Shular Clower, aged by now died and was buried 8 miles north of Monticello, Arkansas in Mt. Pleasant (Campground) Church Cemetery. Rev. Daniel and family moved on to Columba Co., Arkansas, near Stephens. They were getting a little closer to Texas and their dreams. They lived next door to William Miller and family. Rev. Dan's daughter married one of Miller's sons, David Miller. Her name was Mirah Jane, (she later married a Holly and both are buried at Giles Cemetery, Delta Co., Texas.) Mirah and David had 3 girls, one was born after he left for the Civil War - and he didn't return for he died with measles, along with his 4 brothers and brother-in-laws. The 3 girls names were Mary Miller Cashian, Martha (Mattie Jane) and Annie Miller Edward. They were raised around Ben Franklin, Texas. The David Miller was my uncle, a brother of my grandmother, Martha Lightfoot. (Lena Bridges)

In the court house in Magnolia, Arkansas in Columbia County, one can see many marriages performed by Rev. Daniel Cower. Most of them in his home. Rev. Dan sold his land and home to William Miller and set out for East Texas by wagons. At this time on census of Columbia County my grandfather, William Brooks Clower was 13 years old, 1865 or 66. They stopped in what is now Delta County, Texas, near Jernigan Thicket and later Giles. He worked ardently for 25 years, preaching in all adjoining counties. At least 50 mile radius, (a mighty large territory in those days.) People came in covered wagons, camping near the arbor where the protracted meetings were held. They stayed for weeks and went away better people for having heard him read from the Bible and preach to them.

His grandchildren called him, "Grandpappy" and everyone loved him and his wife, Amanda Prentice. They were both buried in the Walter Cemetery near Giles, Texas. They both have large stones with a Bible close to the top. The Cemetery is discarded, and seldom cleaned, trees and bushes all over. Grandmother Amanda's stone has toppled over and his maybe by now. The Cemetery will soon be forgotten and so would he and his wife if he didn't live in the hearts of a few who has heard of them.

By preserving their history, their memory will live on.

Lena Clower Bridges - August 28, 1970