|
William Pasochabi Hunter Family  William P. Hunter was born ca1778
in Kentucky, one of two sons born to a white man and his Choctaw wife,
Benahanta; his siblings were brother, John D. Hunter. Their
half-siblings were Bennahantai "Benny", Bina Ahantubbi, Bina
Ahanta, Bena Hontta Hunter
Carson Cemetery Historical MarkerIn 1819 William married Minerva Mary Turner (1800-1842) in Wayne County, Kentucky. The Hunter family traveled from their home along the Trail of Tears to settle around Boggy Creek, Indian Territory, After arriving in Texas to settle, the white men gave him the given name of William and he used his Indian name as his middle name. People were immigrating to Texas from all directions to take advantage of the Republic's inducement of offering land grants; the immigrants could settle wherever they pleased with the intention of making it their home. Most of the immigrants were farmers, just what Texas needed to settle the new Republic. Ft. Warren, built by 20-year-old Abel Warren in 1836, an Indian Trader, from Ft. Smith Arkansas, was the first county seat for Fannin County, Texas, established December 14, 1837. Grayson County not carved out of Fannin County until 1846. Indian attacks were frequent; the settlers in northeast Texas would seek protection at Ft. Warren The children of William P. Hunter and Minerva Mary Turner Hunter were: John F. Hunter (1821-1898); married 1) Mary Dameron (1823-1 865) and 2) Harriet Cathryn "Hanna" Dishman William P. Hunter, Jr.(1821-1898); married Margaret Morris Harriet T. Hunter (1822-1892); married Hugh Wesley Simpson (1807-1862) - both died in Washington County, Arkansas Unknown daughter (1824-1847); married William T, Lankford Henry H. Turner (1823-1856) Joseph Shores Hunter (1825-1902); married Sarah Matilda Dameron, sister of Mary Dameron William Hunter (1826-1896) Elizabeth Hunter (1830-1842) Amanda Louise Hunter (1836-1897); married Henry Jeffriers (1825-1894) James Hunter (1836-1907) Sarah Hunter (1849-1877) Mary Ann Hunter (1842-1931) Dr. Hunter, wife and 4 children located about 8 miles east of Ft. Warren in 1840 - a gown son and daughter and 2 daughters aged 10 & 12 as well as a colored female servant; they were quite a distance from any neighboring settlers. Their eldest daughter married William T. Lankford of Warren in 1 8427. After their marriage the young couple settled in their new home a few miles west of Choctaw, near Red River. A few days after the wedding, Dr. Hunter and his sons were away from home on business for the day. Late in the afternoon the 2 young girls took a bucket and went to the spring to get water. After filling the bucket, they started back towards their cabin, not realizing that Indians were watching their every move. Suddenly a hideous painted Indian sprang from the bushes by the path; he shot the youngest of the two with an arrow, killing her instantly. Soon 10 Indians emerged from their hiding places in the bushes and captured Amanda, carrying her with them to their camp grounds. Unaware of the events unfolding on the path to the creek, the Indians surprised Mrs. Hunter and the Negro servant, killing and scalping her in 1842 by Indians when they attacked the Hunter home. Her daughter, Elizabeth was killed as well as their Negro servant. Daughter, Amanda, was kidnapped while Dr. Hunter and his two sons were away on business. The younger son was out in the woods, splitting rails. He came home after dark, finding his mother dead in the house, his sister dead by the creek. When he couldn't find Amanda, he left to find his father and brothers. (Early Days in Texas) Amanda Hunter, age 13, married Henry Jeffries, age 17, in Fannin County, Texas on July 2, 1850. The Jeffries family was living in Fannin County, Texas in 1860; their neighbors were Amanda's brother, Joseph Shores family - wife, Sarah, age 27; sons, John T., age 3 and Moses, age 7 months; along with Jane Jeffries, age 14 . Amanda & Henry had 3 children in the home: Caroline, age 10 (1850-?) James, age 8 (1852-? ) Joseph Columbus, age 1 (1859-1937) (Fannin County, Texas Federal Census, Beat #2, August 8, 1860  According
to local oral tradition this cemetery was named for John Carson, who
once owned the adjacent land. Some sources say one grave was in
existence before 1842. Others maintain the first graves date to
an 1842 Indian raid at the nearby home of Dr. and Mrs. W.M.
Hunter. The 3 victims of the raid were Mrs. Minerva Hunter, her
young daughter, Elizabeth, and an African-American maid who name is
unknown. By 1878, the cemetery trustees acquired title to the
land and they later added more acreage. Among those buried here are
land donors, Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Alderson, Mr. and Mrs. W.R. Luton,
and T.M. Newell.
Minerva Hunter's grave was marked in 1942, a century after her death.
Bryant, Mavis Anne. Health and Death: Denison, Texas, in 1900, c2017, pg. 92
Native American Biographies Biography Index Elaine Nall Bay 2022 If you find any of Grayson County TXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |