Elma A. "Elmer" Alford

Notes:

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/J64T-75T
name: Adron Corbett Alford
death date: 22 Nov 1970
death place: Hemphill, Sabine, Texas
gender: Male
race:
death age: 77 years
estimated birth date: 1893
birth date:
birthplace:
marital status:
spouse's name:
father's name: Jessie P. Alford
father's birthplace:
mother's name: Emma Rice
mother's birthplace:
occupation:
place of residence:
cemetery:
burial place:
burial date:
additional relatives:
film number: 2218971
digital film number: 4169217
image number: 1277
reference number: 91250
Collection: "Texas, Deaths, 1890-1976," Adron Corbett Alford, 1970

(Research):

Census Listings:

1920 Census
Texas, Sabine County, JP One
Enumerated 6 Feb 1920
SD 226 ED 168 Sheet 29A
Bayou Road
570-592
Alford, Adrian C Head M W 26 M Tx Tx Tx Farmer
Alford, Ada A Wf F W 30 M Tx Ga Tx
Alford, Elma A Son M W 3 2/12 S Tx Tx Tx
Alford, Thelma A Dtr F W 3 2/12 S Tx Tx Tx

1930 Census
Texas, Sabine County, JP 1
Enumerated April 25, 1930
ED 202-3 SD 19 Sheet 15A Stamped 37
27-27
Alford, Adron C Head M W 36 M19jTx Tx Tx Farmer
Alford, Ada A Wf F W 40 M 23 Tx Tx Tx
Alford, Elmer A Son M W 13 S Tx Tx Tx
Alford, Thelma A Dtr F W 13 S Tx Tx Tx

Adron married Ada Amanda Conner. Ada (daughter of Leander Jackson Conner and Martha "Marthy" Caroline Smith) was born on 25 May 1889 in Sabine County, Texas; died on 28 Oct 1970 in Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas; was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Yellowpine, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/J6Z8-SBP
name: Ada Amanda Alford
death date: 28 Oct 1970
death place: Hemphill, Sabine, Texas
gender: Female
race:
death age: 81 years
estimated birth date: 1889
birth date:
birthplace:
marital status:
spouse's name:
father's name: Leander J. Conner
father's birthplace:
mother's name: Caroline Smith
mother's birthplace:
occupation:
place of residence:
cemetery:
burial place:
burial date:
additional relatives:
film number: 2218968
digital film number: 4169125
image number: 2915
reference number: 82764
Collection: "Texas, Deaths, 1890-1976," Ada Amanda Alford, 1970

Notes:

Could he also have married Tabitha Eason? Kathy Casagranda shows that Tabitha EASON married a Jesse Powell ALFORD on 12 Mar 1891 in Sabine Parish, Louisiana. However, based on his date of marriage to Emma Rice, and the subsequent children born to them, it appears unlikely.

His tombstone is inscribed "In Memory of-Only son of Rev. N. B. & Frances Alford-We have drained the bitter cup of grief and prayed to give thee up without one murmured word of pain. Father they will be done. Take back our darling one. We try to pray, in vain."

Jesse married Emma Elizabeth Rice on 18 Dec 1890 in Sabine County, Texas. Emma (daughter of Matthias J. Rice and Millbury Cook) was born on 9 Apr 1866 in Sabine County, Texas; died on 28 Oct 1907 in Texas; was buried in Hemphill City Cemetery, Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

(Research):

Census Listings:

1900 Census
Texas, Sabine County, JP 1
Enumerated 27 Jun 1900
SD 8 ED 68 Sheet 13A Stamped 134
206-210
Alford, Mrs. Emma Head W F Apr 1866 33 Wd 4/4 Tx Miss Tx Farmer
Alford, Alif Dtr W F Dec 1891 8 S Tx Tx Tx
Alford, Adron Son W M Jun 1892 7 Tx Tx Tx
Alford, Ara Dtr W F July 1894 5 S Tx Tx Tx
Alford, Jessie Son W M Dec 1899 2 S Tx Tx Tx

Notes:

In 1900, his nephew Willis, age 8, was living with them.

(Research):

Census Listings:

1900 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Pr 2
Enumerated 7 June 1900
SD 8 ED 69 Sheet 4B
68-68
Conner, L. J. Head M W Jan 1853 47 m 26 Ga Ga Ga Farmer
Conner, Caroline M Wf W F Nov 1856 43 m 26 9/8 Tx Ala Tx
Conner, Jessie Son W M Dec 1876 23 S Tx Ga Tx Farm Laborer
Conner, Lizzie C Dtr W F Jun 1878 21 S Tx Ga Tx Farm Laborer
Conner, Gilbert W Son M W Aug 1880 18 S Tx Ga Tx Farm Laborer
Conner, Cornelia N Dtr W F Nov 1882 17 S Tx Ga Tx Farm Laborer
Conner, Rosa C Dtr W F Oct 1884 15 S Tx Ga Tx Farm Laborer
Conner, Ada W F May 1889 11 S Tx Ga Tx Farm Laborer
Conner, Starlin Son M W May 1892 8 S Tx Ga Tx
Conner, Artie P Son W M Oct 1898 1 Tx Ga Tx
Conner, Willie Nephew W M May 1881 18 S Tx Ga Tx

1910 Census
Texas, Sabine County, JP 2
Enumerated 20 and 21 Apr 1910
SD 2 ED 132 Sheet 3B
59-59
Conner, Leander Head m W 60 Wd Ga Ga tga Farmer
Conner, Ada Dtr F W 20 S Tx Ga Tx
Conner, Starling Son M W 17 S Tx Ga Tx Farm Laborer
Conner, Artie Son M W 11 S Tx Ga Tx Farm Laborer
McDaniel, Nolan Hired Boy M W 15 S Tx SC Tx Farm Laborer

1920 Census
Texas, Sabine County, JP 7
Enumerated 9 and 12 day of Jan 1920
SD 326 ED 169 Sheet 7A
122-122
Conner, Leander J Head M W 69 Wd Ga Ga Ga Farmer
Conner, Starlin W Son M W 28 M Tx Ga Ga Farm Laborer
Connor, Lorena Dtr-in-law F W 24 M Tx Tx Tx

Leander married Martha "Marthy" Caroline Smith. Martha (daughter of John A. Smith and Amanda Low) was born on 7 Nov 1856 in Texas; died on 15 Mar 1907 in Texas; was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Yellowpine, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Barbara Yancey Dore notes he married third a Dicey, Mrs. Graves, on 30 July 1906 in Sabine County. Dicey was the daughter of Julius C. Alford, and a cousin of his.

(Research):Census Listings:

1860 Census
Louisiana, Sabine Parish, Many
Enumerated 7 July 1860
Page 52
358-358
N.B. Alford 33 M Farmer $200 $1000 La
Ruthie Alford 30 F La
Alexander Alford 7 M La
George Alford 5 M La
Mary Alford 1 F La
Flora Norsis 23 M Farmer Laborur La
C.D. Carroll 34 M Farmer $850 $270 NC

1870 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Hemphill Beat No. 1
Enumerated 28 June 187
Page 5, Stamped 3
36-36
Alford, N.B. 42 M W Farmer $200 $800 La
Alford, Francis A 34 F W Keeping House Miss
Alford, Needham L 9 M W La
Alford, Ruth L 7 F W La
Alford, Samantha 4 F W Tx
Alford, Jesse 1 m W Tx
Ellen Steele 10 F W Orphan Tx
Susan Steele 8 F W Orphan Tx


1880 Federal Census

Household:
Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Oc
cupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace
Needham B. ALFORD Self M Male W 53 LA Farmer GA LA
Francies A. ALFORD Wife M Female W 45 MS Keeps House TN MS
Ellen Z. STEEL SDau S Female W 21 LA Farm Laborer KY TN
Susan N. STEEL SDau S Female W 18 LA Farm Laborer --- ---
Ruth A. STEEL Dau S Female W 16 LA Farm Laborer --- ---
Jessie P. ALFORD Son S Male W 9 TX At School --- ---
Francies H. ALFORD Dau S Female W 8 TX --- ---
Source Information:
Census Place Precinct 1, Sabine, Texas
Family History Library Film 1255325 NA Film Number T9- 1325 Page Number 234B

Needham married Frances Ann Partin. Frances (daughter of John C. Partin and Harriet McGrew) was born on 11 Nov 1834 in Mississippi; died on 20 Jan 1902 in Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas; was buried in Hemphill City Cemetery, Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

A grave marker, photo shown on his FindAGrave memorial page, is inscribed "Matthias Rice Pvt Co F 11 Texas Infantry Confederate States Army Jan 15, 1832 Feb 16 1918" His memorial page is linked to his parents, Joseph and Catherine (Melton) Rice, as well as to his wife, Milbury Cook. The couple is also linked to four of their children. His wife's headstone shows him as "M. J. Rice"

Matthias married Millbury Cook on 7 Jan 1856 in Sabine County, Texas. Millbury (daughter of Greenberry Morris Cook and Rebecca Low) was born on 13 Sep 1835 in Texas; died on 14 Jun 1908 in Sabine County, Texas; was buried in Spring Hill Cemetery, Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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."

John married Amanda Low about 1856. Amanda (daughter of Jesse Low and Harriet Hines) was born about 1839 in Texas; died about 1898. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]