Millie Conner

Notes:

Fed, along with his father Willis, and brothers William, John and Charles were indicted for the murders of Eli Low and Kit Smith after a short trial and based on a longstanding feud over free-ranging. Charles and Fed's trial was held first and they were found guilty. Charles was sent to prison for twenty-five years. Fed was given life in prison, but successfully appealed his case and was retried. He was again found guilty. He would never serve, however, as the jail was broken into and Willis, Fed, William and John escaped into the countryside- where they began a running war with the law enforcement of the day.
The Texas Rangers were called in to assist in arresting the Conners, but were ambushed and one Ranger, J.H. (Jim) Moore was killed. William Conner was also killed and many others were wounded. Willis, Fed and John escaped the battle. The Rangers, having suffered a grievous defeat, left Sabine County and did not return.
The people of the county, wanting to end the violence, began to pressure local officers to arrest the Conners. Eventually, a private investigator was hired and disguised as a cattle buyer went through the county looking for clues to the Conner's whereabouts. He learned that Willis and Fed's families left food and supplies for them on a trail somewhere deep in the woods. An ambush was set up and Fed Conner was killed. Willis escaped, but was killed a few weeks later, when his young grandson, a boy of twelve, was coming to give him food. The boy had been tracked and followed by a posse and in the ensuing gunfight, Willis and the boy were killed.
This sad situation finally ended the Low-Conner Feud which had divided the county for so long. For years, no one wanted to discuss what had occurred as it was simply too divisive and the families too intermingled to be considered a worthy subject of conversation. Courtesy of Ed Wetterman (edwetterman@hotmail.com), as posted on his website http://clikto/sabinefeud

(Research):

Census Listings:

1870 census
not located

1880 census
not located

Frederick married Nancy Pauline Travis after 1870. Nancy (daughter of James Cannon Travis and Sophronia Pauline White) was born on 2 Sep 1852 in Texas; died on 26 Sep 1927; was buried in Spring Hill Cemetery, Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

At the time of the 1910 Federal census, she was living with her son and daughter in law, William F. and Emma Conner, in Sabine County; and in 1920 she was living with son Willis and his wife Nora.

(Research):
Census Listings:

1900 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Precinct No 1
Enumerated 19 Jun 1900
SD 8 ED 68 Sheet 8A
125-129
Conner, Nancy W F Sept 1852 47 Wd 8/5 Tx La Miss Farmer
Conner, Robt W F Feb 1880 20 M 0 Tx Fla La Farm Laborer
Conner, Ada Dtr-in-Law W F Dec 1880 20 M 0/0 Tx Tx Tx

Notes:

There was a Willis Conner in the "1840 Decatur County Georgia Census Index " (Frances T. Ingmire, Mountain Press). Decatur is very near the Florida border. Could this be him?

Came to Texas in 1857 from Tattonall County, Geogia.

Was shown on the muster roll of Captain J.M. Burroughs Company of the Sabine County Volunteer Infantry, CSA, and was enlisted at Hemphill, Texas by Drury Field for 3 months duty on January 15, 1863. His headstone is marked Texas Infantry, CSA.


On his "12 to Midnight" blog, Ed Wetterman (edwetterman@hotmail.com) writes:

In the 1880's several of Sabine County's families became embroiled in an unfortunate shooting feud that disrupted the whole community. Fathers, sons, daughters and cousins became engulfed in the fighting that would ravage the county from 1883 to 1887.

It began with the murders of Eli Low and Kit Smith in Holly Bottom off Housin Bayou in the southern part of Sabine County. The bodies were found about ten feet apart and the men had been shot in the back. The funerals were quickly held and many thought it suspicious that the Conner family had not attended.

It was known that the Conner and Low families had argued in the past about free-ranging and the building of schools and roads. Apparently many angry words had been exchanged, but the situation had never erupted into violence.

After a short investigation, Willis Conner, along with his sons, Fed, William, John and Charles were indicted for the murders and held without bond. Charles and Fed's trial was held first and they were found guilty. Charles was sent to prison for twenty-five years. Fed was given life in prison, but successfully appealed his case and was retried. He was again found guilty. He would never serve, however, as the jail was broken into and Willis, Fed, William and John escaped into the countryside- where they began a running war with the law enforcement of the day.

The Texas Rangers were called in to assist in arresting the Conners, but were ambushed and one Ranger, J.H. (Jim) Moore was killed. William Conner was also killed and many others were wounded. Willis, Fed and John escaped the battle. The Rangers, having suffered a grievous defeat, left Sabine County and did not return. John Conner then abandoned Willis and Fed and according to Ruth Sibley Davis in her book "Neighbor against Neighbor," moved to start a new life in Louisiana.

The people of the county, wanting to end the violence, began to pressure local officers to arrest the Conners. Eventually, a private investigator was hired and disguised as a cattle buyer went through the county looking for clues to the Conner's whereabouts. He learned that Willis and Fed's families left food and supplies for them on a trail somewhere deep in the woods. An ambush was set up and Fed Conner was killed. Willis escaped, but was killed a few weeks later, when his young grandson, a boy of twelve, was coming to give him food. The boy had been tracked and followed by a posse and in the ensuing gunfight, Willis and the boy were killed.

This sad situation finally ended the Low-Conner Feud which had divided the county for so long. For years, no one wanted to discuss what had occurred as it was simply too divisive and the families too intermingled to be considered a worthy subject of conversation.



(Research):

Census Listings:

1850 Census
Georgia, Tatnall County, No. 79 Subdivision
Enumerated 9 Dec 1850
(image on ancestry.com is very faint)
???-332
William and Nancy Conner
333-335
Willis Conner 28 Farmer birthplace: ditto (Tatnall?)
Percy Conner 25 birthplace: ditto (Tatnall?)
Fedrick Conner 3 birthplace: ditto (Tatnall?)
Charles Conner 1 birthplace: ditto (Tatnall?)

1860 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Patroon Beat No. 5, PO Milam
Enumerated 7 July 1860
Page 31
231-232
Willis Conner 37 M Farmer $--- $1700 Ga
Piercey Conner 35 F Ga
Frederick M Conner 12 M Ga
Charles W Conner 10 M Ga
Leonard J Sonner 8 M Ga
Alfred H Conner 6 M Ga
William Conner 4 M Ga
Catherine P Conner 2 F Ga

1870 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Beat No 2, PO Sabine Town
Enumerated 2 August 1870
Page 24
503-504
Conner, Willis 47 M W Farmer $500 $500 Ga
Conner, Therisa (sic) 45 F W Keeping House Ga
Conner, Federick M 23 M Ga
and on a separate page (appears to have been inadvertantly seperated?)
Texas, Sabine County, Beat No. 3, PO Brookeland
Enumerated 4 Aug 1870
Stamped 19
502-502
Charles W 21 M W Ga
Leander J 17 M W Ga
Alfred H 16 M S Fl
William E 14 M W Fla
Percy D 13 F W Fla
John M 9 M W Tx
Nancy B 7 F W Tx

1880 Census
Texas, Sabine County, JP 2
Enumerated 2 July 1880
Page 19 SD 1 ED 84
168-179
Jackson and Susan Low family
169-180
Connor, Willis W M 58 Farmer Ga SC Ga
Connor, Pierce W F 55 Wf Ga Ga SC
Connor, Wm W M 25 Son Fla Ga Ga
Connor, John W M 19 Son Tx Ga Ga
Connor, Nancy W F 15 Dtr Tx Ga Ga
170-181
Connor, Alfred W M 27 Farmer Fla Ga Ga
Connor, Sarah W F 24 Wife La Miss La
Connor, Alfred W M 7 Son Tx Fla La
Connor, Stephen W M 5 Son Tx Fla La
Connor, Fanny W F 3 Dtr Tx Fla La
Connor, Riley W M 1 Son Tx Fla La

Willis married Piercy Douglas on 1 Aug 1844 in Tattnall County, Georgia. Piercy was born on 4 Apr 1824 in Tattnall County, Georgia; died on 22 Oct 1898 in Many, Sabine Parish, Louisiana; was buried in Conner Cemetery, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Query from Tem Moody

Piercy Douglass, born 24 Apr 1824 in GA. Married (1) Willis Jackson Conner 1 Aug 1844 (2) M. J. Coleman. Willis J. Conner died 1887 in Sabine Co. TX and is buried in Conner Cemetery, Sabine Co. TX. Piercy died 22 Oct 1898 in Sabine County TX and may be buried in the Conner Cemetery or in the Douglas Cemetery in Union County FL. Attempting to verify date of death and burial place of Piercy nee Douglass.

Reply from Linda King Davenport

The Index to the Cemeteries of Sabine County Texas 1836 - 1964 copyrighted by J. B. Sanders 1964 states the burial place as Conner Cemetery with 5 unmarked graves. To quote: "Conner, Percy 15 Mar 1824 - 22 Oct 1898" I don't know if "Percy" was misspelled in Mr. Sanders' book or on the tombstone. This is not my line and I have not researched this at all. Happy hunting!

Ron McClendon noted that he is not sure of the second marriage.

She was the daughter of Frederick Douglas.

FindAGrave shows that "Piercey was the daughter of Frederick Douglas and wife, Bethamy Hannah Anderson Douglas. She was born with twin sister, Tiercey Douglas. Married Willis William Jackson Conner on 1 Aug 1844 in Tattnall County, Georgia."

Notes:

He was known by his middle name, Cannon. He may have been married previously to an Elizabeth, also from Mississippi.

According to the MINUTES 1858-1890 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH HEMPHILL, TEXAS, (James) Cannon and Sophronia (White) Travis were among the 11 founding members of the church. Sophronia was admitted by voucher on September 7, 1857 from W. C. Southwell, Missionary East Texas, as was her husband, Cannon Travis. Fellowship was withdrawn from Cannon Travis on November 10, 1860, and restored September 24, 1864. In June 1884, "charges having been preferred against Bro. Cannon Travis for unchristian conduct & said charges as alleged being Sustained, it was ordered that the Church withdraw fellowship from him & it is further ordered that his name be erased from the Church Book."

Note: Children's names and birthdates are based on a transcription of the 1870 census. The actual 1870 and 1880 census microfilm's should be carefully checked. The 1880 extract seems to have several glaring discrencies in names and dates. Blanche Toole speculates that perhaps the census taker knew Cannon and his family, and completed the information from (faulty) memory instead of by actually interviewing the family. Also, Charlie White lists a child named Jann White, born ca 1868 per the 1870 census who is not listed on either transcription of the census. Perhaps this is Martha Jane White.

Military Service Co. D 1 Tex HV Arty CSA (Courtesy of Tony Pickett)

Was shown on the muster roll of Captain J.M. Burroughs Company of the Sabine County Volunteer Infantry, CSA, and was enlisted at Hemphill, Texas by Drury Field for 3 months duty on January 15, 1863.

Jules Hurst writes that "I understand that Cannon died in Texas of cancer of the eye."

James married Sophronia Pauline White on 5 Dec 1850 in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana. Sophronia (daughter of Edward White and Elizabeth Strickland) was born in Nov 1833 in Amite County, Mississippi; died on 15 Jun 1915 in Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas; was buried in Hemphill City Cemetery, Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Sophronia was born during an auspicious month. On November 13, 1833, between midnight and dawn, thousands of meteors showered the sky over North America. To the native peoples of the land, it appeared that the stars were falling out of the heavens. Some thought it was the judgment day. Others called it "The Night the Stars Fell".

A young girl who was a slave at the time of the event said "Somebody in the quarters started yellin' in the middle of the night to come out and to look up at the sky. We went outside and there they was a fallin' everywhere! Big stars coming down real close to the groun' and just before they hit the ground they would burn up! We was all scared. Some O'the folks was screamin' and some was prayin' we all made so much noise, the white folk came out to see what was happenin'. They looked up and then they got scared too."

The celestial phenomenon called "the most impressive and awesome display ever recorded" was, in fact, the Leonids meteor shower seen in one of its most impressive years. Viewers witnessed 50,000 to 150,000 meteors per hour, only equaled by the November 17, 1966 display, when the Leonid shower brought 150,000 meteors per hour. Debris from the comet Temple-Tuttle that orbits the sun every 33 years causes the shower.

She was born and raised in Amite County, Mississippi, and can be found on the 1850 census with her parents. Sometime after that, the family moved to Sabine County, Texas.

After her husband's death, she lived with her oldest son, William Hardy Travis. She can be found living with he and his wife, Grace Ener, at the time of the 1900 and 1910 Sabine County census.

Notes:

Sometimes shown as William Barrett Travis

From the JERUSALEM CHURCH CHURCH BOOK, Mississippi Territory of Amit e, 29 Feb 1812

This church was located near the present town of Gillsburg. Organized 29 Feb 1812, when Mississippi was Indian Territory. The transcription is courtesy of Mrs. Alva McEwen, McComb, Mississippi.

Feb 1825: William Travis by experience May 1825: John Travis, Nancy Travis by experience Apr 1827: Brother and Sister Travis restored Jan 1829: Brother and Sister Travis reported for non-attendance Mar 1829: Brother and Sister Travis excluded July 1841: William Travis restored. William and Nancy Travis, letter of dismission. Apr 1842: Members included: Elizabeth White, Emily and Patsy Strickland, Rutha White, Henry Strickland, Elizabeth White (dec'd), Polly (Mary) Travis, William Travis, Nancy Travis, John Travis, John Travis, Sr., Nancy Travis, Mary Travis

(Research):
Census Listings:

1850 Census
Louisiana, St. Helena Parish, Eastern District
Enumerated 24 July 1850
Page 178
21-21
William Travis 50 M Farmer $500 Miss
Sabrina Travis 23 F La
Cannon Travis 22 M Farmer Miss
Polean Travis 17 F Miss
Decalb Travis 15 M Miss
Wm Travis 7 M La
Winna Travis 4 F La
Rebecca Carroll 22 F La
Henry Carroll 19 M Farmer La

1860 Census
Lousiana, St. Helena Parish
Enumerated 22 Jun 1860
Page 26
234-234
Wm Travis 62 M Farmer 1800 500 S. Carolina
Sabrina Travis 32 F La
William Travis 15 M La
Wineford Travis 12 F La
Alice Travis 6 F La
Izabell Travis 1/12 F La
Henry Wagoner 15 M La

William married Nancy B. Hurst on 8 Oct 1817 in Liberty, Amite County, Mississippi. Nancy was born about 1798 in Northumberland County, Virginia; died on 1 Nov 1842 in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The daughter of Henry Hurst.

Notes:

Married:
Jules Hurst, a descendant, also reported that William and Nancy (Hurst) Travis had "twin girls said to have been killed by lightning--names unknown to me."

Notes:

There is an Ed White in Pike County, Mississippi in 1820. This may or may not be the same Edward White that is located in Amite County, Mississippi 10 years later. The family composition is 3 males under the age of 10, 1 male between 10-16, two males between 26 and 45, two females under the age of 10, and one female age 26 to 45.

On the 1830 Amite County, Mississippi census, Edward White and wife had 3 boys & 3 girls, 0-9, 1 boy and 1 girl 10-19. He was between the ages of 40 to 60 and his wife was between 20 and 40.

He was still in Amite County in 1840, on page 52. The microfilm at the San Antonio Public Library was faded and difficult to read. It appeared to show the following, however< Edward White Males 1-0-2-0-0-0-0-1 Females0-2-0-2-0-0-1-0 He appears to have held at least two female slaves, one under the age of five, and the other between five and ten. The number of male slaves is difficult to read. It is probably just one.

Edward White, his wife Elizabeth, and several of his children can be found in Amite County, Mississippi on the 1850 census as well. Sometime after this enumeration, they moved to Sabine County, Texas.

In White and Toole's book, Sabine County Historical Sketches and Genealogical Records it was noted hat "Later that year (ca. 1843-sic), the Edward White family...and many of their friends and relatives came to Sabine County. Some forty or fifty covered wagons, some of them drawn by oxen, travelled together." From "Sabine County Historical Sketches And Genealogical Records."

Edward White is shown on various internet trees, most unsourced, as either the son of William White and Mary Matilda Mason of Mecklenberg, Virginia or as the son of Edward White and Pembrook Singleton of Kingston Parish, Gloucester County, Virginia. In neither case has documentary evidence been shown. Mildred Bell Landers emailed that she had "heard from a ggg grandson of Edward White (through his daughter who married Cannon Travis), and he asked if I had ever heard that Edward was an Indian named Whitecloud or Whitefeather, like his father, William. I had never heard this, and in Sabine County the past is closer than elsewhere. Nor had I heard that Edward White's father was William. One of my other gg grandfathers was part Indian, and this seems to be known in Sabine County, at least by descendants. Ever heard of any of this? There was a picture of an Edward White, Civil War veteran, in an issue of the Sabine County Reporter (maybe a son or grandson) and he did not appear to be part Indian. In my mother's family, some of them had characteristics that could be considered Indian."

Jack Hutchins White emailed, in August 2013, that his White ancestor was "Cajabeth White, who was living in Bute Co, NC with his brother, William, as early as 1766. He had two sons, John and Robert. John White inherited land from a man named John Seagrove, whose will names John White as his nephew. It seems likely that Cajabeth's wife, Frances, was a Seagrove, but this is not proven. The 1771 tax list for Bute Co shows that Young McLemore....had an overseer named John Seagrove, who appears on a number of documents with members of the McLemore family before they migrated out of Bute (later Warren) Co. I have been trying for a couple of years to piece together precisely how the Seagrove, McLemore and White families may have interacted with one another, but the Seagrove family history is as complicated as that of the Whites.

The thing that interests me about your website is that Cajabeth White was frequently referred to in court documents as Cade, and I see in your website that two sons of Edward White (b. 1781 in Mecklenburg Co, VA) each had sons they named Cade.

I believe it is likely that the Edward White in your website is the son of William White Sr. of Mecklenburg Co, VA. The personal property tax lists for that county show a son of William named Edward who is first listed as a taxable adult in the household of his father in 1797 and as head of his own household in 1800. He is gone from the county by 1801.




I am researching the possibility that William White Sr. was the brother of Cajabeth "Cade" White named in the 1766 tax rolls for Bute Co. The fact that the name Cade appears twice among the grandchildren of Edward White seems to support this theory.

I am still a bit fuzzy on when this White line intermarries with the Strong and McLemore families. I am hoping one of your family researchers would be willing to collaborate with me on the foregoing topics. I have copied Lisa Lisson, a White family descendant, who is assisting in this research."

(Research):
Census Listings:

CENSUS YR: 1850
STATE or TERRITORY: MS
COUNTY: Amite REEL NO: M432-368
PAGE NO: 93A
REFERENCE: Enumerated 12 Dec 1850 by Henry Flowe
23 615 615 White Edward 69 M Farmer 750 Va
24 615 615 White Elizabeth 55 F Geo 25
615 615 White Jane E. 25 F Amite Co Miss (Widow of J.H. Wente---I believe she is actually listed as Went on the microfilm)
26 615 615 White S. P. 17 F Amite Co Miss
27 615 615 White Wm. T. 12 M Amite Co Miss
28 615 615 Went Elizabeth 7 F Amite Co Miss
29 615 615 Went John E. 6 M Amite Co Miss
30 615 615 Went Jane E. 4 F Amite Co Miss
31 615 615 Went James T. 1 M Amite Co Miss

On the 1860 Sabine County, Texas census, Edward and Elizabeth (age 79 and 66) were living with 11 year old L.E. White, a female born in Texas. Edward's real property was valued at $500 and he had personal property valued at $7,943. I speculate that L.E. White might actually be M.E. White, Mary Elizabeth Sophronia White, the oldest daughter of James and Drucilla White. James died prior to 1860, and his wife remarried John C. Partin. James and Drucilla's two younger daughters are listed with Drucilla and her new husband, but their oldest daughter, born circa 1848/1849, has disappeared. It could be that this oldest daughter died. Or it could be that the oldest daughter went to live with and/or care for her elderly grandparents. Additionally, the 11 year old L.E. White does not seem to fit into any other of the White families shown on the 1850 census, nor can she be found after 1860.

Edward married Elizabeth Strickland after 1809 in Elbert County, Georgia. Elizabeth (daughter of Henry Strickland and Ruth Thompson) was born about 1795 in Elbert County, Georgia; died on 25 Dec 1864 in Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas; was buried in Travis Cemetery, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

From the JERUSALEM CHURCH CHURCH BOOK, Mississippi Territory of Amite, 29 Feb 1812

This church was located near the present town of Gillsburg. Organized 29 Feb 1812, when Mississippi was Indian Territory. The transcription is courtesy of Mrs. Alva McEwen, McComb, Mississippi.

Nov 1836: Received by experience, Elizabeth White Oct 1837: Elizabeth White, Pernecia Travis baptized Apr 1842: Members included: Elizabeth White, Emily and Patsy Strickland, Rutha White, Henry Strickland, Elizabeth White (dec'd), Polly (Mary) Travis, William Travis, Nancy Travis, John Travis, John Travis, Sr., Nancy Travis, Mary Travis

Elizabeth Strickland White and 10 others founded the regular Baptist Church of Jesus Christ on the banks of the Housen Bayou on May 29, 1858. This later became known as the First Baptist Church of Hemphill. Elizabeth joined by letter from the Jerusalem Church in Amite County, Mississippi. The other founding members were Richard and Ruth Travis, Henry S and Mary Etta White, Simon and Mary Ann Beckcom, John and Sophronia Everett, and Cannon and Sophronia Travis.

Elizabeth's husband, Edward, did not become a member of this church, founded by his wife and several of his children, until over six years had passed. He then joined on a profession of faith and Baptism in June 1864. According to the minutes of June 25, 1864, "Confarence was adjorned for the Church to meete at Father E Whites at 4 oclock for the purpos of hearing what the Lord had don for his precious sole, after hearing of his Experiance it was moved that Father E White be Received in Christian fellowship."

This experience must have caused him to evangelize, because on July 23d, 1865, "after preching, the privelege of the Church was Extended when too Servint Girls came forward, Amy belongin to Edward White & Charitee also belonging to Edward White. after hearing ther Experience was Received the church and then adjorned to the water" By September, 1865, Father E. White was Moderator of the Conference, though it appears he gave up this reponsibility quickly. He was replaced by Pastor John L Mills in October of 1865. His faith apparently never wavered as it was noted that he "Dyed Jan 13th 1871 in the Faith."

Notes:

Married:
Bears and Panthers and Sabine County Women

This story from the 1800s, as told by the master storyteller, J.Frank Dobie, gives another reason not to mess with Sabine County women:

"One winter day the White family on Bear Creek in Sabine County killed a hog, cut it up, put the meat in a wooden tub, and set it in a corner of the cabin, to be salted down and smoked on the morrow.

Then the man went off with his dogs to join the neighbor on a hunt.

That night while Mrs. White was chunking up the fire in the fireplace, the children covered up in bed and a quilt wrapped around herself to shut out the cold norther blowing through the chinks in the log walls, she heard a panther scream.

She knew it had smelled the fresh meat. It prowled under the puncheon floor and then leaped up on the roof, every once in a while letting out a scream. Then it went to clawing on the logs and finally got a paw through a crack near the tub of meat and took out a piece.

At this, Mrs. White threw her quilt over the tub, seized an axe standing just inside the door, and waited.

In a little while the panther put its paw back through the crack for another piece of meat. She had the axe raised and now she came down with it, cutting the paw clean off.
That panther did not bother around the cabin any more that night."

----- J. Frank Dobie, "Tales of Old-Time Texas"

Posted by Ronad Barlow on his Facebook group, Farm Road 1 - From one end to the other. It is not known which Mrs. White this story relates to.