The
sixth child of David and Rosanna Moore Claxton:
Born:
28 Oct 1840 in Bedford Co., TN
Died:
21 Mar 1874 near Columbia, TN
Married:
Lucinda Jane Anderson 21
Feb 1871 in Hickman Co., TN
Born:
10 Jul 1856 in Hickman Co., TN
Died:
16 Oct 1913 in Hickman Co., TN
Children:
1.
James Abram Claxton 1872 - 1950
According
to family sources, William Harvey went by the nickname “Babe”.
Family sources also indicated that “Babe” served in the
Civil War. Records show a William H. Claxton serving in the
Confederate 44th Regiment TN Infantry and also in the 55th
Regiment TN (McKoins’) Infantry. In 1870 he was living
and caring for his mother, Rosanna, on the farm in the 8th
Civil District in Bedford Co. On 21 Feb 1871 he married Lucinda
Jane Anderson in Hickman Co., TN. Lucinda was the daughter of
William Martin Anderson and Margaret Anderson of Hickman Co. William
was born 3 Sep 1832 and died 5 Jul 1886 in TN. Margaret was
born 29 Aug 1834 and died 14 Dec 1920. Both were buried in the
Poplar Union Cemetery in Hickman Co., TN. According to Anderson family
researchers, William and Margaret were 1st cousins.
(Note:
William Martin was a brother to Mary Ann Anderson, wife of Jonathan
“John” Claxton. Lucinda Jane was Mary Ann’s
niece and also sister-in-law. Mary Ann and Jonathan “John”
named their first born, Lucinda Jane Claxton).
According
to “Babe’s” granddaughter, Vera Claxton, in a
letter to Marvin Claxton, “Babe” accidentally shot
himself while on a hunting trip at the age of 33. According to
Marvin Claxton, the hunting trip was near Columbia, TN. “Babe“
was buried next to Lucinda’s grandfather, Joseph Anderson, in
the Crowell Cemetery located about three miles northwest of Halls
Mill in Bedford Co.
Lucinda
later married (2) James Henry Allen 14 Dec 1876 in Hickman Co., TN
having four children. After James’ death, she married (3) John
Reid Bates 16 Aug 1900 in Hickman Co., TN. Lucinda was buried,
as well as her parents, in the Poplar Union Cemetery in Hickman Co,
TN.
A
portion of the letter from Vera Claxton, living in Cameron, TX, to
Marvin Claxton in response to his letter dated March 5, 1966:
………Now
I will identify myself, I am a great niece of John Claxton. My
father was James Abram Claxton. I do not know his father’s
name other than ‘Babe’. His mother was Lucinda Jane
Anderson. My father was born in Bedford Co., Tennessee April 27,
1874. My grandfather accidently shot himself while hunting
during snowy weather. My father was about 11 months old.
Well
the story goes that after grandfather passed on, grandmother returned
to her parent’s home, letting her father raise the boy.
She later married a fellow by the name of Allen. She had four
children by him, one boy died about the age of 16. He (Mr.
Allen) died and she married a man by the name of Bates.
Well
my father came to Texas when he was of age and he made one trip back
to Tennessee before I was born and never did go back anymore. I
never knew my grandmother or any of the half brothers or sisters of
my father. I did meet the half brother Anderson Allen who lived
at Earlboro, Oklahoma.
My
father had some cousins by the name of Claxton that lived near
Rosebud, Texas. There were two boys named Dave and Ben and we
met them. There were other children. The last account of
Ben Claxton he was living at Rotan, Texas………………
(Note:
According to James’ death certificate and headstone, he was
born 27 Apr 1872, not 1874. Based on “Babe’s”
death date and James’ birth date, James was actually two years
old when his father was killed. When James moved to Lucinda's
parent’s home, he shared the home with 10 other children, all
aunts and uncles. In 1876 when James was four years old, his
mother married James Henry Allen. James’ obit indicates
that he moved from TN to Milam Co., TX at the age of 20 which would
have been sometime in 1892. Ben Claxton mentioned in the letter
above was my grandfather.)
The
only child of William Harvey Claxton and Lucinda Jane Anderson:
Born:
27 Apr 1872 in Bedford Co., TN
Died:
4 May 1950 near Cameron, Milam Co., TX
Married:
Mary
Elizabeth Stedman
12
Dec 1893 in Milam Co
Born:
16 Aug 1897 in IL
Died:
22 Jun 1949 in Milam Co
Children:
1.
William Henry Claxton 1894 -
1900
2.
Edwin/Edward Lee Claxton 1897 - 1897
3.
Aubburn “Aubrey” Claxton 1899 - 1934
4.
Caroline Dobbins Claxton 1902 - 1976
5.
Lavera Viola Claxton 1905 - 1986
6.
Marguriett Lucinda Claxton 1907 - 1984
7.
Frank Hardy Claxton 1908 - 1983
According
to family sources James was called “Abe” by all who knew
him. He was a very large man, approximately 6’6”
and 260 lbs. His whole time in Milam Co. and in Huntsville, Walker Co., TX, was spent as a farmer.
Mary was the daughter of William Larkin Stedman and Margaret J. Tubb
of Perry Co., AL.
In
Vera’s letter, she said her father made one trip back to
Tennessee before she was born, which would have been before 1905, and
he never returned. Abe and Mary, however, were apparently visiting
relatives in Arkansas in 1908 since their youngest son, Frank Hardy,
was born there in September 1908. The only known Claxton
relative of the line, living in AR at the time, would have been
Zachariah “Zack” Claxton, William H. “Babe’s”
half brother. Zack was David Claxton’s son from his 2nd
marriage. Two grandchildren, Tom and Mary, stated that Abe made
several trips to AR visiting a half brother.
Abe
died less than year of Mary at the age of 78 from cancer.
Cameron
Herald, Cameron, Milam Co., TX, Thursday, 11 May 1950 (page 7)
Funeral
Services For Mr. Claxton Sunday
J.
A. Claxton, 78, died at his home May 4, 1950 after an illness of four
years. Mr. Claxton had been a resident of Milam County for the
past 58 years, having moved here at the age of 20 years.
Among
his survivors are three daughters; Mrs. Carrie Gunn and Mrs. M.L.
Gunn both of Cameron and Miss Vera Claxton of Camp Hood; one son,
Frank Claxton of Bakers Field [sic], California and one half brother,
Anderson Allen of Oklahoma.
Funeral
services will be conducted by Rev. P.A. Corkern, Pastor, First
Baptist Church at the Chapel of Green's Funeral Home, at 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 7, 1950. Burial will be made in Oak Hill cemetery
with Green's Funeral Home making the arrangements.
Abe and Mary Elizabeth’s Children:
(6.1.1)
William
Henry Claxton [Sibling
list] was born 2 Oct 1894 in Milam Co., TX and died at the age of
six on 9 Aug 1900. William was buried
in the Marak Cemetery in Milam Co.
(6.1.2)
Edwin/Edward
Lee Claxton [Sibling
list] was born 16 Aug 1897 in Milam Co., TX and died at the age of
three months on 20 Nov 1897. Edwin was buried
in the Marak Cemetery in Milam Co.
(6.1.3)
Aubburn
“Aubrey” Claxton [Sibling
list] [Children photo]
was
born 12 Aug 1899 in Milam Co. and died 15 Feb 1934 in Cameron, Milam
Co. Aubrey married Essie Elvira Williams 27 Oct 1923 in Milam
Co. Essie was born 5 Jul 1902 in Cameron and died 26 May 1968
in Cameron. Aubrey and Essie were buried
in the Marak Cemetery in Milam Co. Aubrey was killed, at the age
of 34, when he was buried by an accidental cave-in while working in a
deep pit at Wilson Ledbetter Park in Cameron. Essie raised the
children ages 1-9 until they left home. Essie remarried on 31
Aug 1950 to (2) James Henley Maddox in Milam Co.
Cameron
Herald (Cameron, Milam, TX) Thursday, 22 February 1934 (page 1)
"Mangled
Body Taken From Pit"
Aubrey
Claxton Killed By Tons of Earth Cave
Aubrey
Claxton, 34, was crushed to death under tons of falling earth
Thursday afternoon at 4:30 o'clock while working on a concrete box in
a deep pit at the south end of the dam structure in the Wilson
Ledbetter park.
Four other
workman with him escaped with their lives as they ran from the
avalanche of falling earth that trapped and instantly kiled [sic]
their companion.
Claxton's
body was taken from the pit five hours later when workman completed a
refill of the trench to make rescue work safe.
The body was
found badly broken and crushed. The left arm thrown across the face
to protect the eyes, was broken and twisted at the shoulder.
Both legs were broken and his neck had been snapped by the enormous
crush of dirt. The ribs at the front of the body were torn from
their setting and were lapped across the chest.
The head of
the dead worker could be seen beneath the concrete form structure and
debris.
Rescue work
proceeded into the night, and in the gathering darkness laborers
under direction of foremen threw back tons of earth against the east
wall of the structure to prevent further cavings [sic].
Claxton is
survived by his widow and five children; his father and mother, Mr.
and Mrs. Abe Claxton, three sisters, Vera Claxton, Mrs. Lucinda Gunn
and Mrs. Carrie Gunn, and one brother, Frank Claxton.
Funeral
services were held Saturday afternoon at the home of his mother with
Rev. Walter L. Cannan of the Methodist Church conducting the
services.
Aubrey
and Essie had six children all born in Cameron.
(6.1.3.1)
James Arthur Claxton was born 14 Sep 1924 and died as an infant 26
Sep 1924. James was buried in the Marak Cemetery in Milam Co.
(6.1.3.2)
Aubrey Lee Claxton was born 26 Sep
1925 and died 10 Aug 2002 in Longview, Gregg Co., TX. Lee died
the same day as his brother, Charles Henry. Lee was returned to
Cameron for burial in the Marak Cemetery in Milam Co. He
married Adele Fikes 15 May 1948 in Milam Co. Adele was born 8
Oct 1929 and died in Dec 1985 in League City, TX. She was
buried in the Fikes’ family plot at the Rogers Cemetery in
Rogers, Bell Co., TX. Lee was a retired backhoe operator and
also served as a Chaplain for the League City and Galveston, TX Fire
Departments. He and Adele had two children.
(6.1.3.2.1)
Robin Lee Claxton was born 26 Jul 1960 in Harris Co., TX.
(6.1.3.2.2)
Jeffery Dean Claxton was born 12 Dec 1964 in Galveston Co., TX.
(6.1.3.3)
Thomas Franklin “Tom” Claxton [Sibling
photo 1932] [With Abe 1944]
was born 13 Jun 1927 in Milam Co., TX and died 16 May 2009 in New
Braunfels, Guadalupe Co., TX. Tom was raised in Cameron and
served in the military during WWII in Germany and Austria. He lived
in Battle Creek, Michigan for a time and then moved back to TX
settling in New Braunfels, TX. Tom worked for the police department
for 5 years and operated his own Exxon service station for 18 years
until his retirement in 1989. He was married four times: (1)
Gloria Jean Holton, (2) Lois Ann Jerome, (3) Lois Lorine Collins and
(4) Doris Jean Vickers whom he married 11 Aug 1969 in Guadalupe Co,
TX. Doris was born 28 Dec 1926 and died 10 May 2004 in Marion,
Guadalupe Co., TX. Tom and Doris were buried in the Guadalupe Valley
Memorial Park Cemetery. Tom had one daughter from his marriage to
Lois Collins.
(6.1.3.3.1)
Lynda Dianne Claxton
(6.1.3.4)
Billy Eugene Claxton was born 4 Apr
1929 in Milam Co., TX and died 1 Apr 1991 in Henderson, Rusk Co., TX.
He was buried in the Crim’s Chapel Cemetery near Henderson.
Billy married Abielene “Abbie” Ballenger 28 Aug 1954 in
Henderson. Abbie was born 16 Nov 1931 in Oak Hill, near
Henderson. Billy and Abbie had two daughters:
(6.1.3.4.1)
Lisa Kay Claxton was born 24 Sep 1959 in Corpus Christi, Nueces Co,
TX. Lisa married Geary Dee Hood 14 Jun 1980 in Henderson.
They had three children: Heidi Suzanne, Jeremy Robin, and Megan
Aniel.
(6.1.3.4.2)
Christina Suzette Claxton was born 10 Apr 1965 in Rota, Spain (Rota
NAS). Christi married Charles William Bumpass 21 Dec 1985 in
Henderson. They had four children: Rhea Michelle, Cameron
Michael, Nissa, Renee, and Colin Mitchell.
(6.1.3.5)
Charles Henry Claxton, the fifth
child of Aubrey Claxton and Essie Williams, was born 19 Jan 1931 in
Cameron, Milam Co., TX. Henry lived most of his adult life in
New Boston, Bowie Co., TX. In 2002, he was living in Garland, TX and
died in a Dallas Hospital 10 Aug 2002, the same day as his brother,
Aubrey Lee. He was a retired Red River Army Depot
security guard and a retired member of the Naval Reserve. Henry
was married to (1) Eleanor May Davison 21 Dec 1953 in Bowie Co., TX
and they had two sons. They divorced 24 Aug 1973. He married (2)
Barbara Jean Walker who was born 18 Dec 1934 and died 7 Jul 1990 in
Bowie Co. After Barbara’s death, Henry married (3) Mary
A. Teston on 12 Oct 1992 and lived in Garland, TX. Charles and
Barbara were buried in the Ringwood Cemetery in New Boston, Bowie Co,
TX. Charles and Eleanor’s two sons were born in Bowie Co.
(6.1.3.5.1)
Kenneth Wayne Claxton was born 13 Dec 1958. Kenneth married
Alice J. Ritchie 8 Aug 1978 in Bowie Co.
(6.1.3.5.2)
Vernon Ray “Stormy” Claxton was born 13 Jun 1960.
Vernon married Carol L. Harris 15 Aug 1960 and later divorced in
Bowie Co.
(6.1.3.6)
Mary Katherine Claxton was born
7 Apr 1933 in Cameron, Milam Co., TX. Mary Katherine married
Lloyd Earl Rider 1 Feb 1949 in Milam Co. Lloyd was born 4 Oct
1927 in Fendale, MI and died 24 Dec 2000 in Cameron. He was
buried in the Marak Cemetery in Milam Co. Lloyd’s parents
were Fred Rider and Nora May Carlton. In Cameron, Lloyd’s
nickname was “Rambo”. He was employed with the
Cameron ISD for over 35 years as a bus driver. He owned a
Texaco station for a few years and served the Cameron Volunteer Fire
Dept. for over 25 years where he had served as its president.
Lloyd was also a veteran of the U.S. Air Force during the Korean
Conflict. Lloyd and Mary had ten children, five sons and five
daughters.
(6.1.3.6.1)
Lloyd Earl Rider, Jr. was born 2 Dec 1949 in Cameron, TX.
(6.1.3.6.2)
Aubrey Eugene Rider was born 15 Dec 1951 in Oxford, MI.
(6.1.3.6.3)
Rosemary Rider was born 22 Jul 1952 in Cameron, TX.
(6.1.3.6.4)
Thelma Wray Rider was born 24 Aug 1957 in Cameron, TX.
(6.1.3.6.5)
Jennette Rider was born 8 Jan 1961 in Cameron and died 15 Mar 1997.
Jennette was buried in Marak Cemetery in Milam Co.
(6.1.3.6.6)
Ronald Roy Rider was born 23 Aug 1964 in Cameron, TX.
(6.1.3.6.7)
John Wayne Rider was born 10 Feb 1968 in Lapeer, MI.
(6.1.3.6.8)
Essie Maye Rider was born 7 Aug 1969 in Cameron, TX.
(6.1.3.6.9)
Marlen Rider was born 25 Jan 1972 in Cameron, TX.
(6.1.3.6.10)
James Sidney Rider was born 29 Jul 1974, Cameron, TX.
Note:
My special thanks to Mary Katherine Claxton Rider and her brother
Thomas "Tom" Claxton who shared so much of their family
information and photographs with me.
(6.1.4)
Caroline
“Carrie” Dobbins Claxton
[Sibling
list] [Children photo], the fourth
child of James Abram Claxton and Mary Elizabeth Stedman, was born 15
Nov 1902 in Milam Co. and died 28 Sep 1976 in Milam Co.
"Carrie" married Jesse Edward Gunn 18 Nov 1923 in Milam
Co. Jesse was born 16 Sep 1900 in Milam Co. and died 8 Mar 1963
in Milam Co. Jessie was the brother to Albert Newton Gunn who
married "Carrie’s" sister, "Dolly".
"Carrie" and Jesse were buried
in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Cameron. They had two
daughters.
(6.1.4.1)
Mary Elizabeth Gunn [Sibling
photo 1932] was born 12 Aug 1926 and died 10 Mar 1977. Mary
married Frank Edward Susik 10 Dec 1943 in Milam Co. Mary was
buried in the Santa Monica Catholic Cemetery in Cameron, Milam Co,
TX. They had six known children.
(6.1.4.1.1)
Frank Edward Susik, Jr. was born 4 Jun 1944 and died 14 Nov 2001 in
Corpus Christi, TX. Frank was married to Anna Grace Heinz 30
Dec 1965. He was a retired federal employee and a U.S. Army Veteran
of the Vietnam War. Frank was buried in the Santa Monica
Cemetery in Cameron, TX.
(6.1.4.1.2)
Mary Frances Susik was born 28 Jul 1947. Mary married (1)
Robert Allan Jackson 1 Jul 1967 and married (2) Elvis Wayne Kelly 22
Jul 1979.
(6.1.4.1.3)
Sharon A. Susik was born and died 11 Jun 1950 in Milam Co., TX
(6.1.4.1.4)
Helen Rose Susik was born 28 Jul 1954 in Matagorda Co., TX.
Helen married Ronald James Roller 18 Aug 1973 in Matagorda Co.
(6.1.4.1.5)
Jerome Joseph Susik was born 24 Sep 1956 in Matagorda Co., TX.
Jerome married (1) Nelt Pustejovsky 4 Jun 1977 and (2) Deborah
Sanders 5 Apr 1980 in Harris Co., TX.
(6.1.4.1.6)
Robert Eugene Susik was born 25 Jan 1961 in Matagorda Co.
Robert married (1) Wendy G. Watkins 29 Jan 1891 and (2) Leslie G.
Larson 12 Oct 1985 in Matagorda Co.
(6.1.4.2)
Eula Florence Gunn was born and died 11 Apr 1931 and was buried in
the Marak Cemetery in Milam Co.
(6.1.5)
Lavera
“Vera” Viola Claxton [Sibling
list] [Children photo],
the
fifth child of James Abram Claxton and Mary Elizabeth Stedman, was
born 27 Sep 1905 in Milam Co., TX and died 2 Sep 1986 in Comal Co,
TX. Lavera was called “Vera” by all who knew her in
Milam Co. and Aunt “Beabee” by her family. Vera
never married. She worked the majority of her life in civil service
at the US Army Base, Fort Hood, TX. She and her sister, "Dolly",
were very close and lived together in Cameron, TX. Vera and "Dolly"
were buried next to each other in the Oak Hill
Cemetery in Cameron, Milam Co., TX.
(6.1.6)
Marguriett
“Dolly” Lucinda Claxton [Sibling
list] [Children photo]
was
born 14 Feb 1907 in <Milam Co> and died 20 Apr 1984 in
Cameron. She was called “Dolly” by her family and
all who knew her in Milam Co. "Dolly" married Albert
Newton Gunn 3 Nov 1923 in Milam Co. Albert was born 19 Jun 1902
in Cameron, TX and died 25 Mar 1953 in Dallas, TX. They
divorced sometime in the late 1920s and "Dolly" never
remarried. "Dolly" was buried
in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Cameron. They had one son.
(6.1.6.1)
James Franklin Gunn [Sibling
photo 1932] [With Abe 1944] was born 29 Jan
1925 and died 3 Oct 1979 in College Station, Brazos Co., TX.
James married Dorothy Helen Locke 30 Jun 1951 in Milam Co.
James and Dorothy had three known children all born in Milam Co.
(6.1.6.1.1)
Roam Anthony Gunn was born 14 Dec 1951.
(6.1.6.1.2)
James Franklin Gunn, Jr. was born in 1953.
(6.1.6.1.3)
Susan Alene Gunn was born 5 Apr 1955.
(6.1.7)
Frank
Hardy Claxton [Sibling
list] [Children photo],
the
seventh child of James Abram Claxton and Mary Elizabeth Stedman, was
born 22 Sep 1908 in AR and died 5 May 1983 in Bakersfield, Kern Co,
CA. Frank was a veteran of the U.S. Navy during WWII and was
later employed as a maintenance mechanic for the San Joaquin Cotton
Oil Co. Frank married Frances Smith 28 Aug 1943 in Milam Co.
Frances was born 17 Dec 1900 in Burlington, TX and died 25 Apr 1984
in Bakersfield less than a year after Frank. Both were buried
in the Union Cemetery in Bakersfield. They had five known
children:
(6.1.7.1)
Frank Hubert Claxton was born 8 Aug 1933 in Milam Co., TX and died 15
Nov 1997 in Sonoma Co., CA.
(6.1.7.2)
Deidre Claxton was born 24 Apr 1935 in Milam Co.
(6.1.7.3)
Beatrice Claxton
(6.1.7.4)
Eva Claxton
(6.1.7.5)
Ralph Maxwell Claxton was born 25 Feb 1941 in Milam Co. and died 19
Mar 1993 in Kern Co., CA.
Dallas Morning News, Dallas Co., Dallas, TX
Cameron Daily Herald, Cameron,
Milam Co., TX
New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung, New Braunfels, TX
Rockdale Reporter, Rockdale,
Milam Co., TX
150 Years of Cemetery Records in Milam
Co, 1991, Perry C. Holder
Ancestry.com
Bowie Co., TX Cemetery Records
Bumpasas, Christina ( g-granddaughter to
James A. Claxton)
Cemetery Markers
Claxton, Thomas Franklin (g-grandson to
William H. Claxton)
Crims Chapel Cemetery Records, Rusk Co., TX
Descendants of David Claxton
by Marvin Claxton
Findagrave.com
Index to TN Civil War Soldiers
Milam Co., TX Census Records
Milam Co., TX Court Records
Obituaries
Perry Co., AL Census Records
Rider, Mary Katherine Claxton
(g-granddaughter to William H. Claxton)
Social Security Death Index
TX Birth Records
TX Death Index
TX Divorce Records
TX Marriage Records
_________________________________
James
Abram "Abe" and Mary Elizabeth Stedman Claxton.
Believed to be taken within
their first year of marriage
1893-1894. Photo from Eugenia Claxton's family album.
James
Abram "Abe" and Mary Elizabeth Stedman Claxton about
1944.
Photo: Courtesy of Mary Katherine Claxton Rider (granddaughter)
Photo: Courtesy of Mary Katherine Claxton Rider (granddaughter)
James
Abram "Abe" Claxton with two grandsons. Taken about 1944.
L: James Franklin Gunn, son of Albert and Marguriett "Dolly" Claxton Gunn.
R: Thomas Franklin Claxton, son of Aubrey and Essie Williams Claxton.
Photo: Courtesy of Mary Katherine Claxton Rider (granddaughter)
L: James Franklin Gunn, son of Albert and Marguriett "Dolly" Claxton Gunn.
R: Thomas Franklin Claxton, son of Aubrey and Essie Williams Claxton.
Photo: Courtesy of Mary Katherine Claxton Rider (granddaughter)
 |
 |
|
Crowell
Cemetery, Bedford Co., TN. William
H. Claxton, son of David & Rosanna Claxton. Father
of James Abram Claxton |
Poplar
Union Cemetery, Hickman Co., TN. Lucinda
Jane Anderson-Claxton-Allen-Bates. Wife of William H.
Claxton. Photo: Findagrave.com
|
 |
||
 |
 |
 |
 |
||
Mouseover picture to see names;
click on pictures to go to text.
James "Abe"& Mary Stedman Claxton's five children who lived to adulthood. Photo taken about 1920.
Photo: Courtesy of Mary Claxton Rider (granddaughter)
James "Abe"& Mary Stedman Claxton's five children who lived to adulthood. Photo taken about 1920.
Photo: Courtesy of Mary Claxton Rider (granddaughter)
 |
||
 |
 |
 |
 |
||
Mouseover picture to see names;
click on pictures to go to text.
James "Abe" & Mary Stedman Claxton's grandchildren. Photo taken about 1932.
Photo: Courtesy of Mary Claxton Rider (granddaughter)
James "Abe" & Mary Stedman Claxton's grandchildren. Photo taken about 1932.
Photo: Courtesy of Mary Claxton Rider (granddaughter)
 |
 |
|
Aubburn
"Aubrey" Claxton
James "Abe" & Mary Claxton's son |
|
|
Photos:
Courtesy of Mary Claxton Rider (granddaughter)
|
|
|
James
"Abe" & Mary Claxton's daughters and their
families
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
Marguriett
"Dolly" Claxton Gunn
and son, James Franklin Gunn |
|
|
Photos:
Courtesy of Mary Claxton Rider (granddaughter)
|
|
Oak Hill Cemetery, Cameron, Milam Co., TX.
James Abram "Abe" & Mary Elizabeth Stedman Claxton.
Photo: B. Brittain
|
Marak
Cemetery, Milam Co., TX
|
|
 |
 |
|
First
two sons of James & Mary Stedman Claxton. William
Henry died at age six and Edwin Lee
died at three months
|
|
 |
 |
|
Third
child of James & Mary Stedman Claxton. Aubburn
"Aubrey" and wife Essie Williams Claxton
|
|
|
Photos:
B. Brittain
|
|
|
Oak
Hill Cemetery, Cameron, Milam Co., TX
|
 |
|
Fourth
child of James & Mary Stedman Claxton. Caroline
"Carrie" Claxton and husband Jessie Edward Gunn.
|
 |
|
Fifth
& sixth children of James & Mary Stedman Claxton.
"Vera" Viola (Beabee) Claxton and Marguriett "Dolly" Claxton Gunn. Photo: B. Brittain |
Dallas Morning News, Dallas, TX, 24 July 1924, p. 17.
Dallas Morning News, Dallas, TX, 2 Nov 1924, p. 15.
The following story was shared by Thomas "Tom" Claxton (grandson)
and Mary Claxton Rider (granddaughter).
and Mary Claxton Rider (granddaughter).
James "Abe" Claxton and family lived on a farm about 5 miles north of Cameron, TX. Abe Claxton, Jim McAlpine, and Otto Junek had an agreement to share water from a cistern jointly. Abe's daughter, "Carrie" was at the cistern using water for washing which all parties agreed should not be done. One, or, both men (McAlpine & Junek) confronted "Carrie" and verbally scolded her. She got emotionally upset and ran to her house telling her father "Abe" that the men were abusing or threatening to abuse her. He grabbed his rifle and went to the neighbor's house with the thought of protecting "Carrie". There was more arguing and things got out of control. "Abe" started shooting, killing Junek at the front door. He shot through the front door going for Mr. Alpine, but hit Mrs. Alpine. He shot and killed Mr. Alpine at the rear of the house. "Abe" returned home and waited for the police.
"Abe" was sentenced to life in prison. On his appeal his sentence was reduced to 25 yrs., but later was reversed (according to Mary Claxton Rider) to 99 yrs. The TX census records show "Abe" in the Huntsville Prison in Huntsville, TX in 1930. "Abe" was released about 1944 for humanitarian reasons. He was diagnosed with an incurable melanoma (cancer) and was sent back home to his family.