Tag: Parten

His Quiver Was Full

Teresa Penny3 Comments

This entry is part of Amy Johnson Crow’s 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks;

Week #45 Rich Man

William Marshall Parten

   If wealth can be measured in offspring, William Marshall Parten was a very rich man, having had a great number of children in his lifetime.  He passed away at the age seventy-three years, ten months and sixteen days[1] having had twenty-two children along the way. At the time of his death, his oldest child was fifty-three and his youngest had just turned three; a difference of fifty years.

     William Marshall Parten was born 08 March 1848 in Sneedville, Hancock County, Tennessee[2]. He was the son of William Parten and Mahalia Wilburn[3].  The 1850 census shows William living with his parents and six siblings[4]. He had a total of ten siblings. By 1860, his father had passed away leaving behind a large family. They were living on Brier Creek near Sneedville in Hancock County, Tennessee[5].

     As the rumors of war drew close, William was reaching maturity and soon found himself engulfed in battle. He served in the Confederate Army in Lillard’s 3rd Mounted Tennessee Volunteers[6]. On 3 July 1863, at the age of fifteen, William Marshall Parten was captured during the siege of Vicksburg[7]. He was paroled a week later and sent home[8].

   Sometime before 1868, William Parten married Sarah Rhea[9], daughter of John Elijah Rhea, Jr. and Lucy Anderson. William’s first four children were born to this union; Mary Elizabeth, James Monroe, Martha Matilda and William Marshall, Jr.[10] [11]

     Tragedy struck this family in September 1879 when Sarah Rhea Parten died of a gunshot wound[12]. It was not an uncommon thing in Sneedville to have a family member killed in this manner. Feuding was an ongoing occurrence in Hancock County and more specifically, Sneedville area, during this time. The Greene – Jones War was a major feud that was second only to the Hatfield and McCoy feud.  The New York Sun published an article in 1891 about the small Appalachian town of Sneedville and its history of violence, feuding and moonshine. [13]

   Shortly after the death of his wife, William Marshall Parten remarried and left for Texas. He is shown in the 1880 census, less than a year of his wife’s death, in Ellis County, Texas with his new wife, Mary Givens and three of his children[14]. He left his oldest daughter behind in Tennessee, with his first wife’s mother, Lucy Anderson Rhea.  Below is a letter written by Mary Elizabeth to her brother James Monroe several years later.

  Mary Elizabeth Parten-Scarce                                 James Monroe (Jim) Parten

Dear Brother and Family

I take this time to write you a few lines after so long a time. We are all well at this time and I hope you all the same. I sure was glad to see my Bud, Will once more. Hope I will have the opportunity of pulling your hair soon. Will has got a fine woman I think. Jim, you don’t know how bad I felt when they all started for Texas and left me alone in Teny. Guess you all are having a jolly old time. Minne’s tongue is longer than mine but I would like to be with you to look on. I will close. Write soon a long letter for I sure do enjoy reading letters from my long lost Buds.   

Bye Bye,

Mary Scarce               

 Tate, Tennessee

*** Letter dated 19 August 1896 – Envelope postmarked 20 August 1896, Tate, Tennessee; Postage 2 cents.

There was an addition to his family, shown in the 1880 census, other than his new wife; another child, Alice, who was born 12 November 1878[15]. It is not clear if this child was his biological daughter or if she was his stepdaughter, but he did raise her from a very young age regardless.

William Marshall Parten and second wife Mary Givens

      William Marshall Parten settled with his new family when he purchased 100 acres of land between Ennis and Waxahachie, Ellis County, Texas[16]. Two of his brothers and their families also moved to Texas settling in the Nash community. They purchased land adjacent to Williams and raised their families.

    Over the next eighteen years, eight more children were born; George 1881, Evey 1884, Wiley 1886, Bessie 1888, Eulysses Grant 1891, Cleo 1893, Mamie 1896 and Ernest 1899.[17]  

At the age of fifty-two, William Marshall Parten finds himself widowed once again when his second wife, Mary was killed due to a runaway horse and buggy accident.[18]  Finding himself in need of a wife to help take care of his small children, William travels back to Tennessee to seek a bride.  He marries a third time to Sarah Elizabeth Givens, age twenty.  William Marshall returns to Texas with his young bride and continues to build his family.

(William Marshall Parten and third wife Sarah Givens)

   To this third union, nine more children are born; Ocie Thomas 1901, Ina Elen 1903, Lewis Faires 1905, Rosa Loneera 1907, Thornton 1908, Joe Ervin 1910, Jannie Ethyl 1912, Edith Elizabeth 1914, Lennie Lee 1917 and Quentin Theodore 1918[19] [20].  By the time William’s last child was born, he also had over two dozen grandchildren and at least one great grandchild.  His quiver was indeed full!!

“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.”

Psalm 127:3-5 NIV

[1] Texas Department of State Health Services; Austin Texas, USA; Texas, Death Certificates, 1903-1982; Ancestry.com Operations, Inc. 2013; Provo, UT, USA; Ancestry.com

[2] ibid

[3] ibid

[4] 1850 United States Federal Census; Subdivision 33, Hancock, Tennessee; Roll: M432_881; Page: 41A; Ancestry.com, 2009; Provo, UT, USA

[5] 1860 United States Federal Census; Brier Creek District, Hancock, Tennessee; Page 25 Dwelling 174 Family 159; Ancestry.com, 2009; Provo, UT, USA

[6] Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Tennessee; National Archive NARA; Publication Number M268; Record Group 109; Roll 0127; State of Tennessee; Fold3 ; http://fold3.com:9292/image/70085639

[7] Ibid

[8] ibid

[9] 1870 United States Federal Census; Sneedville, Tennessee, District 6;Roll M593_1533 Page 40A; Family History Library Film 553032; Ancestry.com; Provo, Utah, USA

[10] Ibid

[11] 1880 United States Federal Census; Precinct 1, Ellis, Texas; Roll 1301 Family History Library Film 1255301, page 377C, ED 045; Ancestry.com; Provo, Utah, USA

[12] U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules, 1850-1885; Census Year 1880; Sixth and Seventh Civil District, Hancock, Tennessee, USA; Enumeration District 92; Line 22;  Death Date: Sep 1879; Cause of Death: Gunshot Wound Ancestry.com; Provo, Utah, USA

[13] Hancock County: Moonshine Feuds & Melungeons; http://historicalmelungeons.com/hancock_county___moonshine_feuds___malungeons.html; Accessed 2019-11-08

[14] 1880 United States Federal Census; Precinct 1, Ellis, Texas; Roll 1301 Family History Library Film 1255301, page 377C, ED 045; Ancestry.com; Provo, Utah, USA

[15] U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1700s-Current; Ancestry.com; 2012; Provo, UT, USA

[16] Ellis County, Texas Deed Records; Ellis County, Texas; Volume 4 Page 517; January 25, 1881 and Volume 37 page 552; October 6, 1886

[17] 1900 United States Federal Census; Ellis County, Texas; Justice Precinct 1; Sheet 5, Dwelling 75; Ancestry.com;2004;  Provo, Utah, USA

[18] Parten Family History; Compiled by Linda Parten Rudasill (great-granddaughter of William Marshall Parten); Possession of Teresa Stafford Penny; 555 LCR 401, Groesbeck, Texas

[19] 1910 United States Federal Census; Ellis County, Texas; Justice Precinct 1; Roll T624_1549; Page 7A; Enumeration District 115 Image 739; Ancestry.com; Provo, Utah, USA

[20] 1920 United States Federal Census; Ellis County, Texas; Justice Precinct 1; Roll T625_1800; Page 6A; Enumeration District 117 Image 125; Ancestry.com; Provo, Utah, USA

Remembering Nenaw

Teresa Penny1 Comment
Margaret Evelyn Parten Stafford
1921-2009

Ten years ago this week, my precious grandmother went to live in her eternal home. I was very close to her and miss her still. She was smart, funny and sassy. Nenaw, as her grandkids called her, was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother who always welcomed visitors with love and affection. Whenever we knocked on her door, she always hollered out, “Come on in if your nose is clean”, followed by the most infectious laugh.

Some of my fondest childhood memories are of spending time at my grandparents’ home. We used to go to their house every Friday night, a tradition started way back before I was born. All the family would come together on Friday nights for food, family time and dominos.

I remember always sitting on the kitchen floor with my grandmother playing Jacks or Pick-up Sticks. As I grew older, I stood at my grandmother’s elbow as she played 42 (domino game) and taught me her strategies. I became pretty efficient at playing as an adult. We had many cousins who came as well and would have competitions out in the backyard seeing who could jump the furthest off the porch onto the lawn or who could make it jumping over the huge plant at the corner of the porch. Playing football was usually a part of our weekend fun as well. The highlight of our visit was gathering in the front living room listening to my grandmother tinkle away on her antique piano. She played a tune that reminded me of a bygone era, maybe something from the 1920’s or 30’s. We usually danced around while she played. Some of us would even pair up and play chopsticks for extra entertainment.

Nenaw was a fun loving grandma and never minded getting down on the floor with the grandkids to play. She was always so proud of her family and let them know it every time she got a chance. Even as she bragged, she admitted, “Every crow thinks hers is the blackest”. She wasn’t afraid to admit that she was very partial to her family.

Writing poetry was something that she enjoyed and was quite good at it. She wrote all sorts of poems in her lifetime. Some were in memory of a loved one who passed away, others were political or sports related. Many of her poems and other writings have been published in the local newspaper. Sewing and other crafts have also been a part of her special interests. She made an amazingly beautiful Christmas tablecloth using the sequin and bead method. She also made many beautiful crochet items for the new babies in the family. No doubt, she was a lady with many special gifts and talents.

Margaret Evelyn Parten was born in Delia, Limestone County, Texas on 7 August 1921. She was the daughter of James Monroe Parten and Winnie Johnson. She married Lewis Albert Stafford in 1939 and was the mother of four, grandmother of eleven, great and great-great grandmother of a multitude.

She was employed for many years at the Mexia State School MHMR where she was a dorm charge and assistant supervisor. Everyone who knew her saw that she was caring and deeply compassionate . She loved her clients and co-workers and they dearly loved her.

Many vacations were spent traveling across the country with her family and friends. Her closest friend, Margaret Gamble joined her on many trips.

Staying close to family and friends was always very important to her. She wrote letters often and made many phone calls daily, always remaining close to her cousins who lived far away. One of the greatest things I learned from my grandmother was the importance of family. I love her dearly and miss her every day.

“School Days” Sweethearts

Teresa PennyLeave a comment

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks – Week # 36 “School Days”

I have chosen to write about my grandparents for this week’s writing challenge, for it was during their school days that they met and fell in love.

This was my grandmother’s locket she had in her jewelry box. Several years after she passed away, my Aunt Carolyn brought the jewelry box to a family get-together because she wanted all of us to be able to choose a piece of my grandmother’s jewelry. My daughter pulled out the locket and opened it. We were all stunned to see the photographs inside. No one had ever opened the locket before that point in time. It was a rare treasure. This was about the age my grandparents were when they met.

I remember my grandmother telling me about the first time she met my grandfather. My grandmother was the only child still living at home and because her widowed mother was a practical nurse, she had to travel quite a bit, so my grandmother stayed with her sisters or brothers during the times her mother was gone.

            It was early one weekend morning. This particular morning, she was staying with her sister, Velva. Velva and her husband had hired some boys to do some work on their farm.  My grandfather was one of the boys.  My grandmother was still in bed asleep when one of her brothers came into the bedroom for something. My grandfather and one of his brothers were following behind him. They were quickly introduced.  She said she sat straight up in bed and jerked the covers up to her chin, but politely greeted them.  This was the beginning of a friendship that would turn into a courtship and a lifelong love. I believe my grandfather was smitten the first time he laid eyes on my grandmother.

            Both my grandparents’ families lived in small farming communities. My grandfather, Lewis Albert Stafford was born 13 July 1920 in Birome, Hill County, Texas.  He was the third youngest of ten children. By the 1930 census, the family were living in Limestone County.  

My grandmother, Margaret Evelyn Parten, was born 7 August 1921 in Delia, Limestone County, Texas. She was the youngest of nine children.  

They began writing letters to each other over the next several years. My grandmother kept all her letters from my grandfather, but I have never been able to find any that she wrote to him. Apparently, he didn’t save them, but you get a sense of the relationship through my grandfather’s letters.

            Among the earliest letters written to my grandmother was dated October 14, 1935. My grandmother would have just turned fourteen and my grandfather fifteen.  

Mart, Texas

Route 4

Oct 14, 1935

Dearest Evelyn,

     I guess you thought I wouldn’t answer your letter you wrote but since I started to school I don’t know if they will let us write to each other. But I am going to stay home a few days and pull bollies. But I will be back. I couldn’t get along without seeing a good looking girl like you. I told Howard I didn’t like anything at Prairie Hill but you Evelyn. Some Saturday nite you come down to Velvas and stay all night and I will come after you and we will go to a show or some where if you can go. I have been down at Velva’s house all evening me and some more boys. They was talking about good looking girls. I told them you was the best looking girl at Prairie Hill and Mart to. Howard said a man was coming to school and take some pictures today. If he does you have some made and send me the best one. Did you go to the ball game Sat nite. I sure hated it because I didn’t get to go. I came up there and they said the bus had just left. It sure made me mad. I heard Prairie Hill won. I sure was glad they won. Well I will close. Answer soon write a long letter if them boys will let you. Ans soon

                                                                Love always Love

                                                                Your Best Friend Lewis

PS. Wrote with a pencil and sealed with a kiss

If you love me you will answer this.

                                                                                Love

                                                                                Lewis

                                                                                Ans Soon

                                                                                Lewis

My grandparents continued their courtship throughout their school days.

I remember looking at this picture with my grandmother telling her how good looking my grandfather was. She got the biggest grin on her face and said “Oh, I know he was”. She was pretty smitten too!!

They were happily married on October 14, 1939