LETTERS OF PATIENCE AND JAMES BLACK

Their correspondence while separated in the Civil War¹.

 

Originally transcribed by Bertha EMMERSON HORNE SANDERS² and her daughter, Rosemary

Re-typed into digital format with added footnotes by Shirley Smith and Sandra Smith Gwilliam.  Ted Wright, Dwayne Crandall & many others have provided much valuable historical and family data. Thanks especially to Elreeta Crain Weathers who provided the photocopies of the letters and her website to post these letters and notes.

[Note from Sandra Smith Gwilliam: I have merged many sources into the footnotes for these letters. Some of the footnotes may not flow smoothly, because I tried to get as much information into this document as possible in a form which a search engine on the internet could pick up easily. Some of the footnotes are duplicated in different sections of the letters- hopefully to help researchers find the research more readily. There may be discrepancies as there are in any family research. We welcome your input if you have other information pertinent to any of the families in these letters. Typos and other mistakes could have easily been made. Many records have conflicting information. I used the information that seemed to fit the circumstances and facts. In some instances we have put the information from all of our sources when we couldn't determine the correct data.]

Note with the copies of the letters: The borrowed book from which these pages were copied could not be taken apart. Page 147 & following could not be copied so that they were legible and without damaging the back cover. Book was borrowed from Kathy Grimm Clark who had borrowed it from L. L. Grimm.

I first read these letters as a girl of 15 at South Bosque where I was born and lived in same home where Patience & James Black first began to keep house soon after their marriage³.

The letters impressed me very much and I often asked questions of other relatives about my grandparents. Also we had a large almost life-size picture of my grandmother, Patience Black in our living room and she seemed so alive. Anyway I turned seemed as if she was looking at me.

So with this background, and my feelings toward my grandparents that I had never known except thru these letters, I wanted to copy them for future generations. Some I had and other relatives had some. A niece, Florence made copies of what my brother Sam had & my sister Mabel sent me some copies & I copied some at my sister, Patience's. All of this took time.

I hope they will inspire future generations as they have me and the other descendants of Patience and James Black.

I started copying them in 1936 during the Texas Centennial when all Texas was so interested in the past. First, thru a long tedious task in long hand, then by typewriter, also making carbon copy of each. It was a long arduous labor of love, as I was only an amateur typist. The foreword was written later.

Patience Crain's father was Joel B. Crain⁴ who fought at San Jacinto⁵. The name is engraved in marble at San Jacinto Monument, near Houston. He passed away [in] 1887⁶ and my great grandmother, Sarah⁷, his wife, lived with us until she passed in 1902, when I was five years of age. I remember her well. It took several years to copy these letters. Do not remember exactly.

Bertha E. Sanders, granddaughter. This written Aug 12, 1972. Now living at 1314 7^th St. Rosenberg, Texas, 77471 [This address is most likely not valid anymore for her.]

My daughter, Rosemary, assisted in the typing of the letters from my hand written copies and son Allan gets all the credit for photostatic copies.

Joel B. Crain married⁸ Sarah, daughter of Genl. James Smith⁹ for whom Smith County was named. Their daughter Patience was my grandmother. She was born 1842 at site of Henderson, Texas. She married James Black in 1860 [actually 11 Sep 1861] at Waco or near Waco¹⁰, where she had moved with her father, Joel Crain in 1855.

Their daughter, Julia was my mother who was born near Waco [in] 1866. James Black was stationed at Galveston during [the] War Between the States. They left many wonderful letters.

My mother, Julia married William E. Horne who was born [in] Tunnel Hill, [Whitfield County], Georgia, Sept. 2, 1861. They were married Nov. 1885. My sisters & brothers were Patience B 1887-1963¹¹- Mabel 1888-1959¹² B Ernest 1890-1942- Sam 1892-1956- Mattie 1893-1911- Laura¹³ 1895-, Bertha (myself) 1897. Myrtle¹⁴ 1899-1970.

    by Bertha E. Sanders from old book revised Aug 12, 1972

I reproduced 45 copies of this book of letters to be given to descendants of James and Patience Black. Easy to reproduce from copies my mom made. She spent many hours and years to type out the original book with an assist from my sister, Rosemary. We all have come to love James and Patience through their letters of love. They have inspired us, they gave us an insight into their lives and the times in which they lived.

       By Great Grandson 17 Aug 1972, Allan G. Sanders

 Correspondence of my Grandparents

James & Patience Black
During the War Between the States  

Mrs. E. L. Sanders 707 S. Marshall St. Box 349 Henderson¹⁵

The Correspondence of my Grandparents James and Patience Black during the War Between the States. Originals of these letters are in a box in First Natl. Bank, Henderson, Texas. These letters are exactly as written.

Patience Black was born at Henderson in 1842, the daughter of Joel B. Crain and Sarah Smith Crain. Joel B. Crain fought at San Jacinto (See "Heroes of San Jacinto¹⁶" by Dixon and Kemp, page 428)

Patience Black's mother was a daughter of Genl. James Smith, for whom Smith County was named and on whose headright¹⁷ the town of Henderson was built. He and wife Hannah Smith¹⁸ are buried at end of South St., Henderson. (History & Geography of Texas as told in "County Names" by Fulmore gives a historical sketch of his life).

James Black¹⁹ was a native of Alabama. He married Patience Crain in 1861²⁰ in McLennan County, where her parents had moved in 1855 from Henderson, following the death of Gen. Smith²¹. Hannah Smith, his wife died in McLennan Co. in 1864, but brought back by son Nute Smith [Isaac Newton Smith] and buried in Henderson by side of her husband. (This verified in these letters.)

James Black and Patience Crain Black had two children, Joel David born in 1862 [6 Aug 1862] and Julia Montgomery, born in 1866. Joel David mentioned so much in the letters was a very fine man. He died in New Mexico in 1945. Julia married Will Horne in McLennan Co in 1885. They were my parents. Julia died at Hamilton in 1941 and [is] buried there.

Patience Black died in 1869²². James Black died in 1887²³. Both are buried [in] Harris Creek Cemetery²⁴, McLennan Co., as is also Joel and Sarah Crain and most of Patience's brothers and a sister, Ida. Matt is buried at Plainview where she died in 1928.

I was born in McLennan Co., on the site and in part of [the] same house [where] James and Patience Black started housekeeping in when they were married. By coincidence I came to Henderson, Texas, in 1934 where my grandparents, great-grandparents and great-great-grandparents had lived before me.

     By Mrs. E. L. Sanders, Granddaughter of James and Patience Black.

Matt Crain was Patience Crain's sister, just two years younger than she. She has talked to me many times about my grandparents. She said they were the most devoted couple she had ever seen, and was positive no cross words or any sort had ever passed between them. When I was a child Aunt Matt lived in McGregor, just 8 miles away and then moved to Plainview but visited us practically every summer until just before her death in 1828. [Most likely 1928]

My mother Julia and little Joel and her father lived with Patience's parents, Joel and Sarah Crain for many years, after Patience's death²⁵.

Grandfather Black re-married after 15 years²⁶ and he married a first cousin of Patience, Texas Smith Milner²⁷, who was a daughter of Joe Smith²⁸, a son of Gen. James Smith.

James Black only lived a few years²⁹ after marrying the second time.

She first married a [Williamson] Milner at Henderson³⁰. They were later divorced, and that created quite a sensation then as divorces [were] then almost unheard of. Mr. John Crow of Henderson remembers Tex Smith and the [Williamson] Milner she married. Texas Smith³¹ and Mr. Milner had a daughter. She lived to be grown. Married and had a daughter, but both she and daughter died when her daughter was a child, so they have no descendants.

Letters written latter part of April & May 1863. Written from Henderson, Texas.

Grandma³², widow of Genl. James Smith³³, Jasper³⁴, Nute³⁵, Matt³⁶, Birt³⁷, Jack [Andrew Jackson Smith], Joe³⁸; sons of Genl. Smith³⁹, Sarah⁴⁰; Barsheba [H.], daughters of Genl. Smith⁴¹. Barsheba's great grandson is J. F. Barnes of Waco, is the head of a large lumber chain. Descendants of others scattered over Texas and elsewhere.

[list of Joel Burditt Crain's family by Bertha Horne Sanders⁴²:]

Sarah, mother of Patience Crain Black Author of these letters.

Matt [Martha A. Crain] (sister of Patience)

Will [William Hampton Crain, brother of Patience]

Jim [James Smith Crain, brother of Patience]

Ambrose H. Crain [Ambrose Aquilla Crain] brother of Patience

Nute [Joel Newton Crain], brother of Patience

Frances Marion brother of Patience (died bachelor)

Ida sister of Patience [Ida Mae Crain]

[Napoleon Bonaparte Crain and Sam Houston Crain, the youngest in the family, were not listed in this list of siblings of Patience Crain Black, but are listed in other census and family records.]

ENDNOTES

1. The letters contain one essay by Patience Black written about 1858 when she was 16 years old and miscellaneous letters to and from Patience and James Black and various relatives.

2. Bertha Emmerson Horne Sanders is the granddaughter of James & Patience Crain Black through their daughter Julia Montgomery Black and her husband, William Emmerson "Will" Horne

From Newspaper Obituary:

W. E. HORNE DIES VERY SUDDENLY ON SUNDAY

HORNE, WILLIAM EMMERSON

W. E. Horne died in Hamilton June 24, 1934. He was 72 years old. Services were held at the First Baptist Church June 25 at 4 o=clock. The spiritual services were conducted by Rev. Campbell and Rev. Rains. Interment took place at the new Odd Fellows Cemetery [IOOF]. Mr. H. E. Chesley conducted the Masonic service.

W. E. Horne was born at Tunnel Hill, Georgia, Sept. 2nd, 1861. He came to Texas at the age of 14 years. In November, 1885, he married Julia M. Black in McLennan Co. They came to Hamilton County 18 years ago. He was converted and joined the Baptist Church at the age of 25. He is survived by his devoted wife and the following children: E. D. Horne, S. N. Horne, Waco; Mrs. P. L. Grimm; Mrs. Myrtle Hill; Mrs. Mabel Beard, Waco; Mrs. Laura Cameron [sic Cambron] , Dallas; Mrs. Bertha Sanders, Yokum. One daughter passed away in 1911. Others who survive Bro. Horne are 11 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.

The Hamilton County News, 
Vol. IV, Number 11--Section Three

Historical and Trading Expansion Issue W. F. Billingslea, Editor-Publisher Subscription Price ONE YEAR ..$1.00

June 29, 1934

William Emmerson HORNE married Julia Montgomery Black (daughter of James Johnson Black and Patience A. Crain) in November 1885, in McLennan County, TX. The children who survived him were:

Mabel Belle (Horne) Beard
Patience Lillian (Horne) Grimm
Ernest David Horne
S. N. Horne
Laura Frances (Horne) Cambron
Bertha Emmerson (Horne) Sanders [married Lancie Sanders]
Myrtle Beatrice (Horne) Hill.

3. James enlisted in the Civil War 10 days after their marriage. It seems from the letters that Patience lived with her parents while James was away. James & Patience probably lived in the home after he came back from the war. 

4. Joel Burditt CRAIN, born 18 Sep 1813 in Hardeman County, Tennessee to Ambrose CRANE (born 1789 in Georgia) and Mary BURDITT CRANE [or Mary "Polly" BURDETT] ( born abt 1792 in South Carolina.). [Some sources have Hulon as Ambrose Crane=s middle name, but it is not written that way in the Newel Walton CRAIN family Bible according to Ted Wright. Ted also stated that before 1850, the year Ambrose died, CRANE was the more common spelling for the family surname]. Listed in Records of Partitions 1843-1871 Volume A, Nacogdoches County [Texas]Family History Library Salt Lake City, Utah Film #100750 index and page 310

5. From The Handbook of Texas Online: Joel Burditt Crain joined Capt. William Kimbro's San Augustine Company on March 15, 1836. He was in the skirmish at San Felipe when Santa Anna's army first arrived there, and his cousin, Robert Taylor Crain, was slightly wounded in the head by an escopeta ball there. His company joined Sam Houston at Groce's Retreat and was ordered down to San Felipe to guard that crossing. They burned the town, crossed to the other side, and entrenched.

During the battle of San Jacinto, Sam Houston, in an attempt to disguise himself, wore the cap and rode the horse of Sergeant Major Crain. As Sergeant Major, Crain received the sword from Juan Nepomuceno Almonte at the surrender and carried the dispatches concerning the surrender to the authorities in Nacogdoches County. (Some in the Crain family say he was allowed to keep the sword.)

Note from Fred Gamble: Joel Burditt Crain received 640 acres for having participated in the battle of San Jacinto. In 1853, on the Brazos, seven miles south of Waco, he built one of the first sawmills in the county. He was also the first to plant cotton in the prairie portion of McLennan County.

Maj. Crain is listed in the San Jacinto Muster Roll, Texas State Library, Archives Division, Austin, Texas.

From San Jacinto Monument and Museum:

Biography: CRAIN, JOEL BURDITT -- Born in Tennessee, September 6, 1813, a son of Ambrose and Mary (Burditt) Crain, who came to Texas in October 1834 and settled in what is now Nacogdoches County. Mary Burditt was a sister of Jesse Burditt. In the Headright Certificate issued to him, February 1, 1838 for a league and a labor of land the fact that he arrived in Texas in 1834 is verified. He was a member of Captain William Kimbro's San Augustine Company, at San Jacinto and on May 17, 1851, was issued Donation Certificate No. 287 for 640 acres of land for having participated in the battle. On December 12, 1850 he received Bounty Certificate No. 742 for 320 acres of land for having served in the army from March 15 to June 12, 1836.

6. Joel Burditt Crain died 18 Jan 1887 in McLennan County, Texas and is buried in the Harris Creek Cemetery.

7. Patience's mother is Sarah Elvina SMITH born 18 Dec 1818 in Spartanburg, South Carolina to James SMITH and Hannah PARKER SMITH. Sarah died 10 Sep 1902 in McLennan County, Texas and is buried in the Harris Creek Cemetery there. Sources: Index to early McLennan County Deaths p. 118, Compiled by John M. Usry Central Texas Genealogical Soc., Inc. 1989 found in Tyler, Texas Public Library; Founders and Patriots of the Republic of Texas Book III Daughters of the Republic of Texas FHL Salt Lake City, Utah 976.4 D2f bk 3 p 601 Information submitted by Leona Aileen CRAIN Gamble # 12028 admitted March 20th 1983 James Butler Bonham Chapter and by Elizabeth Josephine Gamble Miller # 12030 admitted March 20, 1983 James Butler Bonham Chapter and Nacogdoches 1850 Census 074a 37 CRAIN Sarah 31 Tennessee pg. 70b.txt

Joel and Sarah lived in Nacogdoches County, then moved to Henderson in Rusk County, then to McLennan County.

(Index to early McLennan County Deaths p. 118 Compiled by John M. Usry; Central Texas Genealogical Soc., Inc. 1989; Tyler Public Library; Tyler, Texas)

8. Joel married Sarah Elvina SMITH on 3 Oct 1837 in Nacogdoches County, Texas. The marriage ceremony was performed by Judge Charles S. Taylor, chief justice of Nacogdoches County.

9. James was the executor of Thomas Lusk=s estate in 1826.

James began his military career when he fought in the War of 1812 under General Andrew Jackson=s command and continued that career in the battles for the Independence of the State of Texas.

James & Hannah Parker Smith owned one of the largest plantations in Henderson, Rusk County, Texas and had land and money. His probate is interesting to read to see what they owned and what they did to fix their home. There are interesting articles listed in the inventory, such as : one pot B cracked and one mule B Blind.

10. Waco is in McLennan County, Texas.

11. Riley Funeral home records in Hamilton, Texas for Patience Lillian Horne Grimm: 
Husband: James Alvin/Allen/Albert Grimm
Parents: Will E. Horne & Julia Black
Birth: 14 Jan 1887 Death: 14 Jul 1963 
and gravestone in Oakwood Cemetery.

First Baptist Church, Hamilton, Texas:

Deceased members of the Baptist churches comprising the  HCBA/HCMBA/HBA were remembered during each annual session. Since 1906 the names of those who died between the annual sessions of HCBA were printed in the published minutes:

1963 Grimm, Mrs. James A. nee Patience Lillian Horne published 1964

Daughter: I.O.O.F. (International Order Odd Fellows) Cemetery, Hamilton County, Texas

GRISHAM, LILLIAN OLIVE GRIMM
Born: 07/21/1910, McLennan County, TX 08/16/1989 
Husband: Truman White Grisham (D. 8/3/1975)
Parents: James Albert Grimm & Patience Lillian Horne

12. Riley Funeral Home Record, Hamilton County, Texas has 15 May 1885 for Mabel's (Mabel Bell Horne Beard) birth date and 13 Apr 1959 as a death date for her.

13. Laura Frances (Horne) Cambron

14. HILL, MYRTLE BEATRICE HORNE 
I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Hamilton, TX 
Parents: William Emmerson Horne & Julia Montgomery Black 
Born: 11/13/1899 
Died: 09/03/1970
Husband: Emmett Floyd Hill 
Married: 06/15/1920, Hamilton County, TX, Hamilton County Marriage Record Bk. 8, p. 85 White, J. C. MG.

15. Bertha's address before she died.

16. Sam Houston Dixon and Louis Wiltz Kemp, The Heroes of San Jacinto (Houston: Anson Jones, 1932).

17. The following document is on file in the Archives & Records Division of the Texas General Land Office. Original Grantee: James Smith File number: Nacogdoches-1st-445 Headright Certificate #89

February 1, 1838, James Smith appeared before the Board of Land Commissioners for the County of Nacogdoches, and proved according to the law that he arrived in the Republic April 1835 and that he was a married man and entitled to one league and one labor of land (4605.5 acres), upon the condition of paying at the rate of three dollars and fifty cents for each labor (177.1 acres) of Irrigable land two dollars and fifty cents for each labor of temporal or arable land and one dollar and twenty cents for each labor of pasture land which may be contained in the survey secured to him by this certificate.

Field Notes: Description of the metes and bounds for one league and one labor of land (4605.5 acres) in Rusk County, surveyed February 23, 1838. Patent: Final title issued for 4605.5 acres of land, November 2, 1847.

Garry Mauro commissioner General Land Office

James Smith became a Mexican citizen March 30, 1835 at Nacogdoches, TX. His sponsor was John M. Dor. This same John M. Dor sponsored Samuel Pablo Houston, April 21, 1835

18. Hannah Parker was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina about 1799. She seems to be listed in the 1800 Union County, SC census. Her parents were Isaiah and Elizabeth ABetsy@ Guyton Parker. They married in about 1816 in South Carolina, moved to Tennessee, then on to Rusk County, Texas where James was active in the community & military.

19. James Johnson BLACK was born about 1830 in Alabama to parents David Simpson BLACK (About 1802 North Carolina B 17 Mar 1862, Marshall County, Alabama) and Mary (Polly) DITTO BLACK (About 1804 Tennessee B 19 Mar 1862, Marshall County, Alabama).

20. McLennan County, Texas Marriage Records Vol. 1 (1850-1870) BLACK, James.....Crain, PA.... 11 Sep 1861, License issued 9/7/1861.

21. General James Smith died on Christmas day B 25 Dec 1854 and is buried in Smith Park near the courthouse in Henderson, Rusk County, Texas.

22. Patience Crain Black died 24 Jan 1869., and is buried in Harris Creek Cemetery, Waco, Texas: "Black, Our mother Patience, wife of Jas. Black, April 10, 1842 - Jan. 24, 1869".

Notes on a marker for the Harris Creek Baptist Cemetery in McLennan County, Texas:  Joel (d. 1887) and Sarah (d. 1902) are buried here, as is their daughter Patience, whose grave, dated 1869, is the second oldest in the cemetery.

23. James Black died 31 Mar 1888 according to the Civil War Pension Petition by Hannah Texana Smith Milner Black, his second wife. Confederate pension application: Black, Texanna 20860, Taylor County TX, Black, James

24. Harris Creek Cemetery Marker Number: 2391 Waco, McLennan , Texas UTM Zone: 14; UTM Easting: 663521; UTM Northing: 3480732; Subject Codes: GY Year Marker Erected: 1985

Marker Location: From McGregor go about 7 mi E. On US 84, take Harris Creek, Rd 1 mile S. to church rd

Marker Size: 27" x 42"

Marker Text: The Haley, Crain, Caufield, and Jones Families were the first to arrive in this area in the 1850s. They established the community of Harris Creek, which takes its name from the nearby water source. This cemetery marks the burial place of those early settlers and others who have lived in the community since its founding. The earliest marked grave in the Harris Creek cemetery is that of Hattie Timmons, who died in 1865 at the age of eighteen. She was the niece of Joel and Sarah Crain, who settled here on land granted to Joel for his services in the Battle of San Jacinto (1836). Joel (d. 1887) and Sarah (d. 1902) are buried here, as is their daughter Patience, whose grave, dated 1869, is the second oldest in the cemetery. In 1872, Aquilla and Delilah "Dillie" Jones formally set aside 1.5 acres of their land for the burial ground. Part of that acreage was also to be used for a church and schoolhouse. Both of the land donors are buried here in marked graves. The graves are maintained by the Harris Creek Cemetery Association. The burial ground is a good reflection of the history of the Harris Creek community and of this part of McLennan County.

Thanks to Diane Wilson who allowed us to use her transcription of the marker. 

25. Julia was in the 1880 census with her grandparents, but Joel lived with his father and Texana in 1880. McLennan County, Texas Federal Census 1880 Page 216 A enumerated 1 Jun 1880, ED 116

26. James Black's remarriage after Patience's death was actually 5 years 3 months. Texana Smith Milner and James Black's marriage: 13 May 1874. They were married by Texana's uncle, Henry Madison Smith Sr. Justice of the Peace, Coryell County, Texas. License is in Coryell County, Texas, Marriage Book D page 5.

27. Hannah Texana Smith Milner

1900 Taylor County, Texas pg 24 A family 94 [101 B 102 crossed out] 91 B 13

Texana's children were: Tommie MILNER [died before 1900], Kate BLACK, William E. BLACK [died before 1900], Mattie BLACK, James Madison BLACK and one more child [died before 1900 according to the 1900 census which states that she had 6 children] .

1910 Taylor County, Texas ED 266 family or household 436

Texana BLACK

28. Texana Smith Black's parents are Joseph P. & Minerva Ann Hall Smith. Her mother, Minerva Ann married Ezekiel Huckabee several years after Joseph died. They were married in Coryell County, Texas, then moved to Sipe Springs, Texas and were buried in the Sipe Springs Cemetery.

29. James Black lived 13 years 10 months 18 days after his marriage: 13 May 1874 - death: 31 Mar 1888.

30. Texana Smith and Williamson Milner were married 3 Dec 1868, in Rusk County, Texas. It is unknown when or where they were divorced, but it would have been between 1869 and 1874.

31. Note from Mary Black wife of James Madison Black III., the grandson of James & Texana Black: "All I know is what Ada Black (wife of James Madison Black Jr. born 1888) wrote down more than 25 or 30 years ago.....James married --T Smith that had brought a child by the name of Tomie (Tommie) May Milner into the family born Sept. 11th no year shown...James and T Smith married May 13, 1874..They had four children...Kate born June 3, 1875---Willie born May 26, 1882--Mattie born May 26,1882--James Madison born December 20, 1888.... Texana was living in Abilene with Jim (James Madison) Black [her son] until her death in 1919...Newspaper indicates the she was preceded in death by a daughter Mrs. Lamar.."

32. Patience's grandmother was Hannah Parker Smith , the daughter of Isaiah & Elizabeth "Betsy" Guyton Parker

33. General James Smith was the son of David & Barsheba Harrington Smith.

LETTERS OF PATIENCE A. (CRAIN) BLACK & JAMES JOHNSON BLACK

PART II - CRAIN/BLACK CIVIL WAR LETTERS

PART III: JAMES & PATIENCE CRAIN BLACK LETTERS - pages 16 - 40

PART IV: JAMES & PATIENCE CRAIN BLACK LETTERS - pages 41 - 60

People and Places: Gazetteer of Hamilton County, TX

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