Fry Family History

 (last update 01 Sep 2005)

Third Generation

( LYDIA² ALLEN, WILLIAM¹)

Children of Lydia Allen and John William Stephenson

1. Kesiah Stephenson [15214] was born 9 December 1806 in Louisiana. She married Thomas H. Lewis on 17 June 1824 in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana. He was born about 1802 in North Carolina and died January 1853 at or near Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas. They moved to the Liberty District of Mexican Texas in 1829 where he was granted a headright for a league and labor of land (Certificate #30) and a bounty for 320 acres (Warrant #409). Thomas served during the Texas Revolution, enlisting on 6 March 1835 in Captain William Logan's Company as a Sergeant. He fought at the Battle of San Jacinto and was honorably discharged on 6 June 1836. On 23 April 1877 Kesiah, living in Bexar County, Texas, applied for a widow's pension for her husband's service.

1. Joshua Lewis, born about 1825 in Louisiana, died about 1857; m. Mary Day.
2. John J. Lewis, born about 1830 in Louisiana, married Louisa [last name unknown].
3. Nancy Lewis, born about 1831 in Texas.
4. Thomas Lewis, born about 1836 in Texas. Lived in a hotel in Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas in 1860.
5. Mary Lewis, born about 1837 in Texas.
6. Caroline Lewis, born about 1838 in Texas.
7. William Lewis, born about 1840 in Texas.
8. Louisa Lewis, born about 1842 in Texas.
9. Frances Lewis, born about 1845 in Texas.
10. Joel Lewis, born about 1847 in Texas.
11. Daniel Lewis, born about 1849 in Texas.
12. Christopher C. Lewis, born about 1851, Texas.

Bibliography

• 1836 Texas State Library and Archives Commission, Texas Archives & Manuscripts, "Electronic," Republic Claims, Army of Texas Discharge, [Thos. H. Lewis]
• 1837 Texas State Library and Archives Commission, Texas Archives & Manuscripts, "Electronic," Republic Claims, Military Pay Claim, ['Thomas H. Lewis]
• 1850 Federal Census, TX, Jefferson County, page 251a
• 1860 Federal Census, TX, Jefferson County, Beaumont, page 422b.

2. William Stephenson [15215] was born 4 February 1808, and died before 1850 in Liberty County, Texas. He married Mary Pruitt on 27 July 1831. She was born about 1811 in Louisiana.

Children of William Stephenson and Mary Pruitt are:

1. Priscilla Stephenson, born about 1833 in Texas; married George Mays 10 Apr 1851.
2. Uriah Prewette Stephenson, born about 1834 in Texas; married Elizabeth B. Tarkington, 11 Oct 1860.
3. Eli Sechart Stephenson, born about 1836 in Texas; married Selina J. Fields.
4. Joseph William Stephenson, born about 1838 in Texas.
5. Reason Green Stephenson, born about 1841 in Texas; married Martha Lorenda Wilborn.
6. Martha Stephenson, born about 1844 in Texas; married George G. Mays 18 Apr 1889.

Bibliography

• 1840 Federal Census, Republic of Texas, Jefferson County.
• 1850 Federal Census, TX, Liberty County, page 337b.
• 1860 Federal Census, TX, Chambers County, page 2b.

3. Gilbert E. Stephenson [15216] was born 24 December 1809 in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana, and died 19 August 1878 in Terry, Orange County, Texas. Gilbert was a farmer. He married Mary Tevis on 27 November 1832 in Terry, Jefferson County, Texas, daughter of Noah Tevis and Mary Nixon. She was born 24 April 1817 in Louisiana and died 1880. They are both buried in Stephenson Cemetery, Vidor, Orange County, Texas.

Children of Gilbert Stephenson and Mary Tevis are:

1. Nancy Stephenson, b. 20 Apr 1835, Texas; m. George W. Haynes, 19 Oct 1858, Orange County, Texas.

2. Aquilla Ann Stephenson, b. about 1838, Texas.

3. Elizabeth 'Eliza' Stephenson, b. about 1842, Texas.

4. Newton Stephenson, b. about 1843, Texas.

5. Gilbert M. Stephenson, b. about 1845, Texas.

6. Louisa Stephenson, b. about 1848, Texas.

7. Erastus A. Stephenson, b. about 1849, Texas.

8. Sarah Stephenson, b. about 1852, Texas.

9. Samantha Stephenson, b. about 1854, Texas; married R. Sidney Singleton, 17 December 1873; b. 3 Aug 1854, d. 7 Oct 1880; Sidney biroed in Stephenson Cemetery, Orange County, Texas.

10. Marion Stephenson, b. about 1856, Texas.

11. Ellen Stephenson, b. 14 August 1860, d. 17 November 1933.

12. Ada Lee Stephenson, d. 27 December 1961; married Robert Shaver.

Bibliography

• 1837 Tax List, TX, efferson County.
• 1838 Tax List, TX, Jefferson County.
• 1840 Federal Census, TX, Jefferson County.
• 1846 Tax List, TX, Jefferson County.
• 1850 Federal Census, TX, Jefferson County.
• 1860 Federal Census, TX, Orange County, Precinct 2, Duncan Woods P.O., page 327a, dwelling 230, Gilbert Stephenson.
• 1870 Federal Census, Texas, Orange County, Precinct 4, page 227b, Gilbert Stephenson.

5. John Allen Stephenson [15218] was born 19 June 1813 in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana. He married Sarah Williams, daughter of Hezekiah Williams and Nancy Reams. She was born about 1808 in Louisiana. John served in the Army of the Republic during the Texas Revolution and fought and shared the spoils of the Battle of Jacinto. Between 1850 and 1860 they moved from Jefferson County to Falls County, Texas.

Children of John Stephenson and Sarah Williams are:

1. Jane Stephenson, born 15 Jan 1836 in Jefferson County, Texas. She married Jonathon F. White 1 Nov 1849 in Jefferson County, Texas.
2. Samantha Stephenson, born 6 May 1837 in Jefferson County, Texas. She married Marion Nix.
3. Sarah Ann Stephenson, born 24 Jan 1839 in Jefferson County, Texas; died Jun 1843.
4. Gilbert W. Stephenson, born 23 Feb 1841 in Jefferson County, Texas.
5. John Woolum Stephenson, born 13 Feb 1843 in Jefferson County, Texas; died 22 Mar 1911, m. Margaret Elizabeth Busby, 2 Jan 1867.

Bibliography

• 1840 Federal Census, Republic of Texas, Jefferson County.

• 1846 Tax List, Jefferson County, Texas.

• 1850 Federal Census, TX, Jefferson County, page 251a.

• 1860 Federal Census, TX, Falls County, page 149a.

6. James Stephenson [15252] was born 5 January 1815 in Louisiana. He moved to Mexican Texas with his parents about 1830. During the Texas Revolution he served in Franklin Hardin's Company from 7 July 1836 to 7 October 1936. At the time he worked as a teamster for wagon master Robert Randolph. After the revolution was won James married Lydia Caroline Lewis on 23 January 1838 in Terry, Jefferson County, Texas. She was born about 1819 in Louisiana. They lived in Liberty County, formed from part of Jefferson County, Texas until about 1852 when they moved to Refugio County, Texas. There in 1853, 1856, and 1857 James applied for reimbursement for his revolutionary services. By 1860 they had moved to Aransas City in San Patricio County, Texas. There they became involved in a violent dispute with a neighbor that had tragic consequences. This episode was reported in the Goliad Messenger newspaper on 21 March 1850...

SHOCKING TRAGEDY AT ARANSAS CITY, SAN PATRICIO CO.

“A most shocking tragedy occurred on Monday the 19^th inst. at Aransas city, between the families of Stephenson and Bishop, the sole residents of the place. Mr. Bishop, it appears, had purchased Stevenson’s improvement, and had it in his possession. Stephenson, becoming dissatisfied with the trade, went to Bishop and demanded a rue bargain, which the latter refused. Stephenson returned home, and on the next day, armed with guns and butcher knives, himself, wife, son and daughter, repaired to Bishop’s house with the determination of taking forcible possession. But fearing their object would be suspected, before reaching the house they left their guns. (Upon? *tear*) reaching the house, they found Mr. Bishop lying down, when Stephenson attacked him with his butcher knife, inflicting several (----?) wounds on his neck. In the mean time, Stephenson’s wife and daughter had pounced upon old Mrs. Bishop with their knives, and would have soon finished her, had not young Bishop come to the rescue. Happening to have a pistol in his hand, he knocked both women down, and thus saved the life of his mother. By this time, Stephenson had left old Mr. Bishop, as he thought, for dead, but Bishop rose up and seizing a hachet struck out one of Stephenson’s eyes. Young Bishop also shot him several times with his pistol, neither shot taking fatal effect. An older son of Mr. Bishop’s was lying sick in bed and was attacked by Stephenson’s daughter, who cut his bowels out, causing his death in a short time.

Stephenson was taken before Judge McNeil, St. Mary’s but as the outrage was committed in San Patricio county, the proceedings were not legal and he was dismissed. Stephenson, we understand, is badly wounded. Mr. Bishop, it is thought, will recover. The perpetrators of this bloody affair will doubtlessly be brought to justice."

The Stephenson family was subsequently brought to trial. The children were acquitted but James was convicted for the murder of David H. Bishop and sentenced to twenty-five years in prison. Lydia was found guilty of second degree murder and sentenced to five years in prison. On 31 May 1860 they were both remanded to Huntsville State Penitentiary to begin serving their sentences. Lydia was pardoned in July 1860 after serving only a few months. James was pardoned in January 1866 after serving 5 and 1/2 years. After their release from prison James and Lydia moved to Corpus Christi, Nueces County, Texas where their eldest son Frank lived. It appears that they remained there the rest of their lives. In 1874 James filed for a pension for his service in the Texas Revolution and received a pension from 1874 to 1887. According to direct descendants granddaughter Marie Antoinette [Smith] Everett said that there was "something wrong" with her grandfather and would not allow her children to be alone with him.

Children of JAMES STEPHENSON and LYDIA LEWIS are:

1. Franklin Stephenson, b. about 1839, Texas.

2. Arminda Elizabeth Stephenson, b. 16 Oct 1840, Texas; m. Francis McKenzie Smith, 28 Jun 1856, St. Joseph Island, Refugio (now Aransas) County, Texas.

3. George Stephenson, b. about 1842, Texas; m. Mary E. [last name unknown].

4. Isabella Stephenson, b. about 1844, Texas.

5. Priscilla Stephenson, b. about 1846, Texas; m. Henry Hawley, 3 Feb 1876, Nueces County, Texas.

6. Richard Stephenson, b. about 1848, Texas.

7. Permelia Stephenson, b. 1850, Liberty County, Texas.

8. John Stephenson, b. c1852, Texas.

9. Amelia Stephenson, b. c1854, Texas.

10. Agnes Stephenson, b. c1857, Texas, died in infancy.

11. Phillip J. Stephenson, b. c1858, Texas, m. Mariann Gill, Kerrville, Kerr County, Texas.

12. Agnes Stephenson, b. c1867, Texas.

Bibliography

• *1820 Federal Census, LA,  St. Helena Parish
• 1838 Tax List, Jefferson County, Texas
• *1846 State Census, TX, Liberty County
• 1850 Federal Census, Jefferson County, Texas
• 1860 Federal Census, TX, Walker County, Huntsville Penitentiary Inmates, page 98b.
• 1870 Federal Census, TX, Nueces County, Corpus Christi, page 163b.
• *1874 Republic of Texas Pension Files
• *1880 Federal Census, TX, Nueces County

Research Note. Many thanks to Scott Grayson who researched much of the above information.

7. Elisha Stephenson [15219]  was born 25 February 1817 in Louisiana, and died 9 October 1888 in Williamson County, Texas. He married Eliza Wallis 1837. She was born about 1819 in Louisiana. Elisha was a farmer. Elisha served in the Texas Revolution; enlisting in the Company of Captain John C. Reed of Beaumont in November 1835. He proceeded to San Felipe de Austin and participated in the reduction of San Antonia. where he became sick, was discharged, and permitted to return home in December 1835. Elisha is buried in Old Bartlett Cemetery, Bartlett, Williamson County, Texas.

Children of Elisha Stephenson and Eliza Wallis are:

1. William Stephenson, b. about 1838, Texas.

2. Sarah Stephenson, b. about 1843, Texas.

3. + Elisha Newton Stephenson, b. about 1845, Texas.

4. Melissa Stephenson, b. about 1848, Texas.

5. Julia Stephenson, b. 1850, Liberty County, Texas.

6. Willishia Stephenson, b. about 1853, Texas.

7. Ada Stephenson, b. about 1855.

8. Florence May 'Fannie' Stephenson, b. 1860, Texas.

9. George Wallace Stephenson, b. about 1857; died between 1866 and 1867 in Lampasses County, Texas.

Bibliography

• 1846 Tax List, TX, Liberty County, Elisha Stephenson
• 1850 Federal Census, TX, Jefferson County
• 1860 Federal Census, TX, Chambers County, Wallisville, page 2b, Elisha Stephenson.
• 1870 Federal Census, Texas, Chambers County, Wallisville, page 147a, Elisha Stephenson.
• 1873 Texas State Library and Archives Commission, Texas Archives & Manuscripts, "Electronic," Republic Claims, Revolution service pension application of Elisha Stephenson.
• 1900 Federal Census, LA, Rapides, Ward 4 Spring Hill, page 135a, Elisha Stephenson (Jr).
• Grave markers in Old Bartlett Cemetery, Bartlett, Williamson County, Texas

8. George Washington Stephenson [15220] was born 4 December 1818, and died before 1852 in possibly in Renoyla, Mexico. He married Elizabeth Griffin.  George served in the Texas revolution with his brother Elisha. Enlisting in Captain John C. Reed's company at Beaumont and participated in the reduction San Antonio.

10. Lydia Stephenson [15222] was born 22 October 1822 in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana, and died December 1894. She married Hezekiah Reams Williams on 5 October 1837 in Terry, Jefferson County, Texas, son of Hezekiah Williams and Nancy Reams. He was born about 1810, and died between 31 July and 11 October 1843 in Jefferson County, Texas. Hezekiah served during the Texas Revolution enlisting in Captain William Logan's Company on 14 April 1836. He fought at the Battle of San Jacinto and was honorably discharged on 11 May 1836 due to bad health. After the war he served as the Chairman of the Committee of Safety, Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas.

Children of Lydia Stephenson and Hezekiah Williams are:

1. Mary Amanda Williams, born about 1839 in Jefferson County, Texas. She married 1) James W. Gillespie and 2) George W. Singleton.
2. Oliver Reams Williams, born about 1840 in Jefferson County, Texas; died between 1861 and 1865 (during the Civil War). He married Emily Day 11 Oct 1860 in Orange County.
3. Elizabeth Williams, born 16 Dec 1841 in Jefferson County, Texas. She married (1) Robert Henry Day and (2) George Washington Haynes.
4. Hezekiah Reams Williams.

12. Amanda Stephenson [14118] was born 7 September 1824 in Orange County, Texas, and died 17 November 1883 in Orange County, Texas. She married John Turner. He was born 4 January 1814 in South Carolina, and died 17 November 1883 in Orange County, Texas. John served in the Naval Services during the Texas Revolution and was awarded a bounty grant of 320 acres for his service. He applied for a veteran's pension in November 1874 and approved in 21 December 1874 for $250 per year. Amanda and John may be buried in Pine Island Cemetery, Orange County, Texas.

Children of Amanda Stephenson and John Turner are:

1. Benjamin C. Turner, b. about 1843, Texas.
2. Susan C. Turner, b. about 1847, Orange County, Texas.
3. Melvina Turner, b. ab1849, Orange County, Texas.
4. Jonathon C. Turner, b. about 1853, Orange County, Texas; d. 1936, Orange County, Texas; m. Elizabeth Jane Bland, 5 December 1876, Orange County, Texas; b. 19 January 1853, Orange County, Texas; d. 11 September 1947, Orange County, Texas.
5. George Turner, b. about 1857, Texas.
6. Andrew Turner, b. about 1859, Texas.
7. John Jepthah Turner, b. 22 September 1862, Orange County, Texas; d. 14 February 1938, Orange County, Texas; m. Maggie Bradford, 2 October 1866; b. 6 February 1866; d. 7 June 1950, Orange County, Texas. John is buried in Hatton Cemetery, Orange County, Texas.
8. Abigail Turner, b. about 1864, Texas.

Bibliography

• 1840 Federal Census, Jefferson County, Texas
• 1840 Francis T. Ingmire, Marriage Records of Jefferson County, Texas, 1837-1899, (Mountain Press), page 46.
• 1846 Tax List, Jefferson County, Texas
• 1860 Federal Census, TX, Orange County, Duncan Woods, page 323a.
• 1870 Federal Census, TX, Orange County, page 224b.

12. Elijah Stephenson [15223] was born about 1827 in Mississippi. He married `Sarah Ann Cole (or Moore) on 23 January 1849 in Jefferson County, Texas. She was born about 1832 in Alabama. Elijah was a farmer. He served the Confederacy during the Civil War, enlisting in Company I of the 13th Texas Cavalry Regiment as a 2nd Lieutenant and attained the rank of 1st Lieutenant.

Child of Elijah and Sarah Stephenson is:

1. John B. Stephenson, b. 1850, Liberty County, Texas.

2. E. S. Stephenson (m), born about 1856, Texas
3. Thomas H. Stephenson, born about 1858, Texas.

Bibliography

• 1846 Tax List, Jefferson County, Texas.
• 1849 Francis T. Ingmire, Marriage Records of Jefferson County, Texas, 1837-1899, (Mountain Press), page 140.
• 1850 Federal Census, Jefferson County, Texas, Page 239a, Dwelling 74.
• 1860 Federal Census, Texas, Orange County, Precinct 2, page 325a, Elijah Stephenson.
• National Park Service, Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System, "Electronic," [Elijah Stephenson].

14. Ezra Stephenson [15225] was born 31 October 1830 in Terry, Jefferson County, Texas, and died from a horse fall on 18 July 1862 in Terry, Orange County, Texas. He married Martha Day on 29 March 1849 in Jefferson County, Texas, daughter of Jeremiah Day and Francis Hart. She was born 9 May 1832 in Louisiana and died 23 January 1873 in Warton, Warton County, Texas. Some descendents believe that Martha was an Indian from the Alabama-Coushatta tribe that was forced to move west to Texas. Ezra is buried in Pine Island Cemetery, Orange County, Texas.

Children of Ezra Stephenson and Martha Day are:

1. Warren Edwin Stephenson, born 12 Jan 1853 in Terry, Orange County, Texas; died 18 Jul 1861 in Terry, Orange County, Texas.
2. Jeptha George Stephenson, born 2 Apr 1855 in Terry, Orange County, Texas; died 2 May 1860 in Terry, Orange County, Texas.
3. Martha Louisa Stephenson, born 11 Apr 1857 in Terry, Orange County, Texas; died 1 Mar 1915 in Forest, Hardin County, Ohio.
4. John Ezra Stephenson, born 20 Sep 1859 in Duncan Woods, Orange County, Texas; died 19 Apr 1911 in Hardin, Liberty County, Texas.
5. Benjamin Von Dorn Stephenson, b. 22 Feb 1861, Terry, Jefferson County, Texas; d. 1 Jun 1907, Vidor, Texas; m. May Olivia Hill, 26 Apr 1883; b. 5 Apr 1869, Moss Point, Jackson County, Mississippi; d. 30 May 1917, Vidor, Texas.

Bibliography

• 1850 Federal Census, Jefferson County, Texas, Page 240a
• 1860 Federal Census, Texas, Orange County, Precinct 2, page 324a, Ezra Stephenson.
• 1880 Federal Census, TX, Orange County, John Stephenson.
• Grave markers, Pine Island Cemetery, Orange County, Texas