Hairston Family

My Hairston Family

Phillip A. HAIRSTON

and

Lodema Walker CRISWELL

Phillip A. HAIRSTON, son of John L. and Eliza* HAIRSTON was born on May 17, 1852 in Hinds County, MS. He relocated with his family to Falls County, Texas sometime after the Civil War where he married Lodema Walker CRISWELL. Lodema, born in Cherokee County, TX, was the daughter of William Moore CRISWELL and Mary Ann "Polly" EVANS.

Phillip and Lodema had two children; an boy who died at birth and Johnie Myrtlene "Myrtie" HAIRSTON. Phillip and Lodema moved to Erath County, TX in the 1880s and later, in 1905, moved to Baylor County where they spent the remainder of their days.

Myrtie Hairston, my grandmother, born in 1880, married Redic E. Bryan in Erath County in 1900. Myrtie and Redic also moved to Baylor County where both are buried. To see much more about Myrtie, Redic, and their family please go to My Bryan Family web page.

Phillip A. Hairston

Lodema Walker CRISWELL HAIRSTON

and their daughter

Johnie Myrtlene Hairston

(Picture taken early1890s)

My Hairston Family Photographs pages contains pictures of many Hairston cousins. Family names include Chisum, Thompson, Noah, and Gresham.

The Native American Question

Phillip and Lodema Hairston were my father's grandparents. Their daughter, Myrtie, was my grandmother. She married Redic BRYAN, my grandfather. In an old Bryan family letter, my grandmother was referred to as "an Indian woman named Hirston." Myrtie died when my father, her son, was six years old. His sisters, who raised him, told him that one of his great-grandmothers was an Indian. Was Phillip Hairston's mother a Native American?

The Baylor County Banner, a newspaper published in Seymour, Baylor County, Texas contains much information about my grandparents and their extended families. P. A. and Lodema Hairston, Floyd Thompson and his wife's Cox families are mentioned frequently. I have found at least one Noah family member in the Banner. I hope to find more about P. A. Hairston's siblings and other relatives as I continue to read and transcribe the Banner. Click on the newspaper to read my current findings.

John L. HAIRSTON

John L. HAIRSTON (b.1812) was probably born in SC although some records also have him born in GA and VA. His wife, possibly Eliza* (abt. 1821), was born in GA or AR. There were several John L. Hairstons and they were probably all related in some way. John L. Hairston may be the son of Hugh Brown Hairston and Sarah MCELHANEY of SC; however, this has not been proven.

John and Eliza* are found in the 1850 and 1860 census records of Hinds County, MS. Deed records indicate that John L. Hairston and his wife purchased land in Hinds County in the 1850s. This land was sold in 1865.

Oral family history as recalled by a great-granddaughter of John, is that John and the entire family left Hinds County after the Civil War, first stopping in Arkansas and finally settling in Falls County, TX. Marriage records in Falls County indicate that John L. Hairston married Cynthia Hodge Roberts Moffatt in 1868. They are listed as husband and wife in deed records dated as late as 1874 in Falls County. I found Cynthia in the 1870 census, but was unable to find John L. Hairston or any of his family. On the 1880 census Cynthia is living near her son, Joel Roberts and John L. is living with his family. No divorce records could be found. Cynthia died in 1905 and is buried on Erskine Farm in Falls County. John's death date and burial place is unknown.

Known children of John L. and Eliza* Hairston are thought to be:

Mary Ann Hairston b: Abt. 1840

+Thomas B. GILBERT

Permelia Hairston b: March 15, 1843 in Bradley County, Arkansas

d: November 14, 1928 in Erath County, TX.

+ Joseph S. NOAH

Sarah Jane Hairston b: Abt. 1845

William Hairston b: Abt. 1846

Adeline Hairston b: Abt. 1849

Phillip A. Hairston b: May 17, 1852 in Hinds County, Mississippi

d: November 09, 1917 in Seymour, TX

+Lodema Walker CRISWELL b: June 04, 1856 in Cherokee County, TX

d: in Seymour, TX

Mattie Hairston b. August 2, 1858 in Hinds County, Mississippi

d: Jan. 3, 1931 in Erath County, TX

+ (1) James C. CHISUM (2) John A. THOMPSON

* Although Eliza Hairston is written on Phillip Hairston's death certificate, the name of his mother remains to be proven.

My Unknown Family Members

I have pictures that belonged to my grandparents, Redic BRYAN (1870-1929) and Myrtie HAIRSTON (1880-1927). Most were probably taken in Texas. Family names include ALBRITTON, BIGGS, BRYAN, CHISUM, CRISWELL, EVANS, GILBERT, GRESHAM, HAIRSTON, HAMMETT, KEITH, LATTA, NOAH, PYLE, SELMAN, THOMPSON, and WYLIE. Many pictures identified have been Hairston family members. These pictures can be viewed by clicking the album below. Please contact me if you are able to help with the identification of any of these pictures.

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