JOHN WILBURN GREER

 

     John Wilburn Greer, b March 5,1806 in Georgia, d May 13, 1870 in Falls County, Texas, and buried on his farm at Cedar Springs, Texas - married first in Lowndes County, Mississippi to Sabina McElroy, and they had three children:

     John Greer, II, b ca 1830 in Mississippi - enlisted in the Confederate States Army during the Civil War, and was murdered during his journey to Falls County.

     Susan Greer, b ca 1832 in Lowndes County, Mississippi - married December 7, 1847 to James F. Miller, and had John William Miller, b December 22, 1852, d November 26, 1878 in Falls County; Isadora Miller, b December 12, 1855 in Sevier County, Arkan- sas, who married William A. Montgomery, and had James, George, William, Walter, and Frank Montgomery in Falls County; and Josiah Miller, b August 3, 1859 in Arkansas, d January 12, 1880, in Falls County.

     Nancy L. Greer, b 1840 in Lowndes County, Mississippi - married James Estes of Falls County, Texas, and had John W. Estes; Ervin W. Estes, b 1864, who was killed by a Mr. Glass over a property line; James K. Estes, b 1872 in Falls County; Mary Ann Estes, b 1874 in Falls County; George W. Estes, b 1877 in Falls County; and Josiah Estes, b 1880 in Falls County.

     After Sabina's death, John W. Greer was married second to Catherine Allen, b January 14, 1817 in Tennessee, d June 25, 1900 and buried in Calvary Cemetery in Marlin, Texas - a daughter of Mark Allen, b January 24, 1793, d October 7, 1866 in Falls County, and his wife, Rachel (Howard) Allen, b July 11, 1813, d November 6, 1843 in Mississippi, who were married on July 11, 1813 in Tennessee.

     John and Catherine Greer moved to Sevier County, Arkansas after their marriage, and their only daughter was:

     Sarah Melvina Greer, b September 11, 1845 in Sevier County, Arkansas, d December 25, 1937 and buried in Calvary Cemetery in Marlin, Texas. Sarah married first to Thomas Cranmer Roberts, and married second to Thomas Jefferson Maxwell.

     On November 8, 1853, the family, with a large number of slaves, immigrated to Falls County, Texas, camping first on Pond Greek. John acquired about 8,000 acres of land before his death. His "plantation" stretched from the Brazos River, near Cedar Springs, to the Travis area.

     After the Civil War, the slaves were free, his only son killed, and John Wilburn Greer lived only five more years. His grave, sealed with brick and mortar, was on property later bought by Thomas Roberts and his wife, Narcissa (Cartwright) Pierson Roberts, and subsequently by Guy Herman Barganier.

     A true pioneer, John W. Greer was one of the earliest settlers in West Falls County. He was a successful farmer, cattleman, and also had fine horses. Greer's Horse Pens, named for Mr. Greer, can be found on the Falls County map between Travis and Rosebud.

     Some of his descendants have remained in Falls County for over 130 years. Like so many other prosperous land and slave owners, the Civil War contributed to his great financial loss.

 

 

Copyright Permission granted to Theresa Carhart for printing the biographies of these Falls County Families to this Web page.
"Families of Falls County", Compiled and Edited by the Falls County Historical Commission, page 201 column 1 and 2.  
Member of Falls County Historical Commission.