1. Andrew Jackson² Pierce (Jack) (Reuben¹) was born July 16, 1815 in Hall Co., GA, and died May 20, 1892 in Johnson Co., TX. He married Nancy Emaline Abercrombie July 02, 1837 in Lumpkin, GA Cherokee GA, daughter of John Abercrombie and Fannie Cavender. Abercrombie: Several different branches of the family are known. Among these are: Robert Abercrombie, born 1715 in Scotland, who came to the area now known as Orange County, North Carolina. He was the father of Charles and Robert Abercrombie, who migrated to Hancock County, Georgia and whose family later moved to Russell County, Alabama. Among their descendants was James Smither Abercrombie (1891-1975) the oilman of Houston, Texas. My grandfather LD always told me his grandmother was related to the Houston group.  1860 U.S. Census, Cherokee County, GA, Wildcat Dist,p. 796, A.J. Pierce.

Obituary of Andrew Jackson Pierce dated 24 May 1892 Johnson County Texas:

"Old Settler Dead. Capt.  A. J. Pierce died at his home on Friday Last. His home nestled in the timber overlooking the Brazos. He was born in Hale (Hall) county, Georgia on the 16th of July 1815. His home was under the shade of mountains where their peaks kiss his new home above. He was one who lived to love a friend, his friends. He feared no enemy. In 1851 Capt. Pierce went to California. He was there when the golden gates were opened to the outside world. He came to Johnson County in 1866. He selected his home where the bluff banks of the Brazos reminded him of his Native hills. He has gone to his grave. He leaves behind forty-five grand children and twenty great grand children. Two of his boys fell in battle, and sleep under the soil of their native state. His aged wife, who was before she took his name, Nancy C Abercrombie, lives to mourn his going. Their Children, C.A. Pierce, L.D. Pierce, Mrs. G.W. Pierce and Mrs. Roddie Wilbanks are here to mourn the loss of a father and friend. We write this only as a token of respect to him who is one of our mourned dead. May the youngest of his great grand children only live to emulate his example."

Another obituary reads, "Mr. A.J. Pierce died at his home May 20, and was buried in the family Cemetery, by the side of his former wife. He was born in Hall county, Georgia., July 15, 1815, and so was 77 years old. In 1866, after losing all his property, because of the war, He moved to Texas and settled in, what was then in the wild west. He settled and improved the farm in Johnson county, in 1866 on which he died. In early life he married and he and his wife had born to them eleven children, five sons and six daughters. Three of their sons and six of their daughters are still living. There are of his descendents, forty-five grand children and twenty great grand children. Mr. Pierce was a member of the Baptist church. He loved his family and friends. He was bold and fearless in the expression of his option and never deceived anyone. He leaves a wife and many friends to mourn him. The family has the sympathy of this community, but the hope and trust sustains us that when life's parting comes, that beyond the fleeting dust the severed links are gathered home and God, in love and patient care, will reunite them over there."

These two obituaries contain at least one bit of conflicting information. The first names His wife as Nancy C Abercrombie and states she was living. The second states he was buried beside his former wife, but also states that he is survived by his wife. I believe he was married only once and this to Nancy Abercrombie.(This analysis furnished by my cousin Dorman Thomas of Arl, TX) Mrs. G. W. Pierce is listed as a child, while in fact she would have been a daughter-in-law since G. W. was a son who survived until 1896. It is Probably that Capt. Andrew Jackson Pierce "JACK" went to the California gold rush with his other brothers in the 1850's. We have not records of this except as is stated in the Obituary above.

The Phillip Nolan Expedition. It was at this height of Spanish xenophobia regarding individuals from the newly independent Confederation of American States that the first Texas filibustering expedition from the east of historic note occurred in the period from 1791 to 1800 with disastrous results. Phillip Nolan, born in Belfast, Ireland in 1771 and a resident of Kentucky in 1789. Nolan was a student of James Wilkinson, a self-serving political and economic opportunist of the period with influential contacts at all levels of the governments of New Spain and the USA. Nolan was interested in the vast herds of horses that roamed Texas and filling the void for working ranch horses that existed in Louisiana with the growing cattle industry which itself had been exported from Texas. Nolan, who carried papers approved by the highest levels of Texas officials, in his numerous trips to Texas between 1791 and 1799 in which he delivered several thousand head of Texas mustangs to buyers in the east became suspected of a spy for Wilkinson and his associates. Despite his awareness of the suspicions of both governor Manuel Gayoso de Lemos in Natchez, Governor Munoz of Texas and Commandant Nava, Nolan entered Texas in 1800 with 25 associates, crossed the Trinity River and built a corralling station for mustangs on the Brazos River. Governor Juan Bautista de Elguezabal authorized the commander Manuel Muzquiz at Nacogdoches to arrest Nolan and encountered Nolan and associates in Mar 1821 near Blum in current Hill County, Texas. In the confrontation that followed, a cannonball killed Nolan, and his men surrendered. Eight Nolan associates were forced to roll dice, the lowest number of which was to be executed for resisting the king�s soldiers. A man named Ephraim Blackburn rolled a four and was hanged in Chihuaha in 1807. Joel J Pierce who was also imprisoned, died later in the Mexican prison from an unidentified illness.

From: Robertsons Colony in TX by Dr. Malcolm D. McLean Internet

UPPER COLONY (1831-1834). The former Nashville Colony area was referred to as the Upper Colony from 1831 to 1834, but during That period Austin & Williams failed to get a land commissioner appointed, so they did not issue a single land title to actual settlers However, they did sell permits to non-resident speculators to locate huge grants in that area. These grants, totaling 1,459,155 acres, later became involved in lawsuits and delayed the settling of Central Texas for many, many years. On May 22, 1834, the governor cancelled the Austin & William�s contract, insofar as it affected the Nashville Colony, and awarded a new contract to Sterling Clack Robertson as empresario. After that the area was called Robertson's Colony.

(Austin & Williams did get a decree passed on May 18, 1835, returning the colony to them, but it turned out that the legislature did not have a constitutional quorum present when that decree was passed.) . From: Robertsons Colony in TX by Dr. Malcolm D. McLean Internet

ROBERTSON'S COLONY (1834-1835). The decree of May 22, 1834, awarding the colony to Robertson confirmed the boundaries as they had been defined in the Nashville Company's contract of October 15, 1827. Beginning at the point where the road from B�xar (San Antonio) to Nacogdoches, known as "the Upper Road," crossed the Navasota River, a line was to be run along that road on a westerly course, to the heights which divided the waters of the Brazos and Colorado Rivers; thence on a northwest course along that watershed tothe northernmost headwaters of the San Andr�s River (Little River), and from the said headwaters, northeast on a straight line, to the belt of oaks extending on the east side of the Brazos, north from the Hueco (Waco) Village, known as the "Monte Grande" ("Great Forest"), and in English as "the Cross Timbers," and from the point where that line intersected the Cross Timbers, on a southeast course along the heights between the Brazos and Trinity rivers, to the headwaters of the Navasota, and thence down the Navasota, on its righthand or west bank, to the point of beginning. That included all or part of the 17 counties listed above, under Leftwich's Grant, plus the 13 additional counties shown under the Nashville Colony, constituting an area 100 miles wide, beginning at the San Antonio- Nacogdoches Road and extending northwest up the Brazos for 200 miles, centering around Waco In that 1834 session of the legislature, Robertson was recognized as the empresario of the colony, and he was to introduce the rest of the 800 families into the colony before April 29, 1838. Each family that dedicated itself solely to farming was to receive one LABOR (177.1 acres) of land; those who also engaged in ranching were to receive an additional SITIO (1 league, or 4,428.4 acres) . Single men were to receive 1/4 league (1,107.1 acres). For each 100 families introduced, Robertson was to receive 5 leagues and 5 labors (or a total of 23,027.5 acres) of premium lands. William H. Steele was appointed Land Commissioner of the Nashville (or Robertson) Colony on May 24, 1834, and he appointed John Goodloe Warren Pierson as Principal Surveyor, on September 17, 1834. The capital of the colony was laid out at the Falls of the Brazos (near present Marlin, Texas) and named Sarahville de Viesca: "Sarah" for Empresario Robertson's mother, Sarah (Maclin) Robertson, who had loaned him the money for the project, and "Viesca" for Agust�n Viesca, the Mexican official who was presiding over the state legislature when it granted the contract to Robertson. All the Robertson Colony land grants were issued in Viesca, Texas.

The first land title was issued on October 20, 1834, but all the colonial land offices were closed, by the Provisional Government of Texas, on November 13, 1835, because of the outbreak of the Texas Revolution, thus preventing Robertson from completing the full quota of 800 families. However, according to a ruling handed down by the Supreme Court of the State of Texas, in December of 1847, Robertson was given credit for having introduced a total of 600 families. Following the Texas Revolution, the Robertson Colony area was broken up to form all or part of the thirty present-day Texas counties, which have been listed under Leftwich's Grant and the Nashville Colony. . From: Robertsons Colony in TX by Dr. Malcolm D. McLean Internet

In 1865 after Sherman's March to the sea, the Pierces migrated to Hill County. They had originally settled some 20 miles north of present day Waco TX before moving to Bosque County (now Johnson County-used to be Hill County) to a crooked stretch of the river they named "Goatneck" near present day Cleburne, TX. Little is know of those early years.

I am researching the land titles to the Pierce Ranch to determine how they obtained land from the former Robertson�s Colony. (the Robertson�s Colony ceased to exist as a colony when Mexico declared their independence in 1836) I had heard stories that Jack could stay gone years at a time and that Nancy Pierce drank, chewed tobacco, and cussed like a man. They built a log cabin on the Brazos. It was later stuccoed over heavily and was torn down by the current owners in 1997. The Johnson County Historical Society tried to have it saved, but it was beyond repair due to termite�s etc. The Pierce cemetery is located on the adjoining land.

Johnson County was named for Middleton T. Johnson (1810-1866), native of South Carolina, for 7 terms an Alabama legislator, a leading Texan after 1840. Served in 9th Texas legislature; in Texas Rangers, Mexican War, Civil War. Settlement began under the auspices of Robertson's colony. In the 1840s the northern half of the county was included in the Peters colony and the southern half in the Mercer colony. The County created and organized 1854, from land earlier in counties of Ellis, Hill and Navarro. First county seat, Wardville, 1854-1856. Second was Buchanan, 1856-1867. Camp Henderson, at famous springs 3.5 miles southeast of Buchanan, a recruiting place in county during civil war, in 1867 it was made county seat and renamed in honor of a confederate general Patrick Cleburne. Had Wood Picnic grounds was used after the 1854 start of Camp Henderson (named for land-owner-townsite donor) for decisive public meetings. In 1867 Camp Henderson became the county seat. The men at 4^th of July picnic here name town "Cleburne" for civil war commander of many local veterans. Located in an area of Johnson County's earliest settlement, Rio Vista was founded on the railroad in 1885. The townsite, which affords views of both Nolan River and Mustang Creek, was given the spanish name for "River View". Johnson county's second seat of government. (Wardville, just west of Nolan River, at U.S. 67, was first). Buchanan, named for president-elect of the United States, was founded in December 1856 on 60-acre townsite donated by John P. Bailey. A jail (first for the county) and office for the district clerk were built 1858. But lack of a reliable water supply hindered town's growth. Later resurvey of county lines showed necessity for a new site. In 1867, camp Henderson (renamed Cleburne, July 4, 1867) was chosen. Cemetery is only remaining trace of Old Buchanan townsite�from Texas Archives internet web site.

"The Brazos Valley was one of the first communities in part of what is now Johnson County. In the early 1850's a few settlers came to live among a few friendly Indians. Geographically it is an area starting at the NE corner of GOATNECK Community (near the old Pierce Ranch)".....Johnson County History Book pg. 83

Old Cattle Trails: connection to the Chisholm Trail, since it connected with that famous route lying to the north. At Kimball crossing this trail entered Hill County Where drovers rested and reshod horses at Towash and Fort Graham, and then forded the Nolan River into Johnson county passing through the large ranch owned by Clem and LD Pierce (now known as present day GoatNeck). This community was also called Freeland, and was settled as early as 1856.

" There were several big Ranches in the area: Cameron, Pierce Willingham, Mertz, and others, with many more across the river in what is now Hood and Somervell Counties" from:..Johnson County History Book C406 about Freeland

Log House Memorials: by Vilola Block Johnson County History book page 257 "Two old log houses in the Freeland Community in western Johnson County are memorials to the sturdy pioneers who build them. Although both have been covered over in recent years it proves that this type of house was built to last. Southeast on the Brazos River is the old Jack "Uncle Jackie" Pierce log cabin, which was overlaid with stucco in 1933 or 1934 (by the Peabody's who bought the ranch. Editor, LD Pierce) The bottomland between the house and the river was cleared for crops by Negro Slaves. A huge bluff on the river was walled up by the Negroes for their abode. (editors note: this bluff was bulldozed in 1996) Albert Crook�s fathers once worked for Jack Pierce and the Crook Family lived here in this old house. He said the Negroes continued to live under the bluff long after the Civil War, and that it was no trouble to see where their cooking fires were built. Floods on the river finally undermined the bluff so completely that it caved off, and now there is no evidence left of the early home of the Negroes. Many of them are buried along with the Pierce family in the Cemetery north of the house. There is only one large rock tombstone in this Cemetery, which contains about 20 graves." Johnson Co. History Book 

Pierce Cemetery

Pierce Cemetery Located at GoatNeck on the BrazosJohnson County TX (Cleburne) Located at GoatNeck not far from Goatneck community center on private property owned by Dyer but Deeded to Pierce Heirs.

Surveyed June 1996 by LD Pierce, Dallas TX. [email protected] P O 141324 Dallas TX 75214. Write or email for directions to this cemetery.

Andrew Jackson Pierce (born 1815 Lumpkin GA) and his wife Nancy Emaline Abercromnbie (Pierce) are buried in the Pierce family in the Cemetery north of the old Pierce log cabin (torn down in 1996). This part of the Old Pierce ranch with the Cemetery is now owned by Dyer but deeded to pierce heirs. The Cemetery is approximately one acre There is one very large tombstone marking AJ�s and Nancy�s graves. There is one other cement tombstone listing Jessie Pierce (Clem Pierce and Mollie Gordon�s daughter) plus several flat native stone head and foot markers. They are buried edgeways with no identification. The cemetery used to be completely fenced with Cast Iron, but it has been torn down. The cemetery was almost completely covered by overgrowth in 1996 but Lester Jones; the Elder of the Andrew Jackson Pierce descendents paid to have most of the growth cut down. A gravel company excavated a large hold in search of gravel within 15 feet of the graves and left the hole open. The company went bankrupt and the hole is still there. Floods have washed even closer to the Cemetery, and needs to be filled in or the entire Cemetery will wash out soon. There is only one large rock tombstone in this Cemetery, which contains about 20 graves. Viola Block noted historian of Johnson County TX states that many of AJ�s and and Nancy�s Negro slaves (freed) are also buried in the cemetery. Andrew Jackson Pierce died in 1892.

"Andrew Jackson Pierce moved to Texas in 1866 some twenty miles from Waco, and moved to Johnson County in 1869. Not legible�think it reads had six boys and six girls. Both are buried in the old homestead Cemetery in Johnson County." From Wilbanks bible-from Margaret Evans Searman TX.

It seems that George Washington Pierce had migrated to the Brazos River area first, and Andrew Jackson, LD and Rhoda came in 1869. Lester Jones relates the story to me that: "George had come to TX after getting out of the Civil war, and he had gotten into a fight and knocked the man down, hitting his head on the corner of a porch and he died. He ran off to Texas to avoid charges. He later returned to face charges and was acquitted." Lester Jones heard from his mom that the family spent as much as one year in Little Rock AR on the journey to Hill and Johnson Counties.

My researching has finally led me to locate Herbert E Blackstock, formerly of Johnson County now living in Pecos, TX. He is 86 years old. It was he that wrote many of the history and stories about the Pierces that appear in the Johnson County History Book. He remembered all the stories his dad used to tell him about the Pierces. You can never imagine his surprise when I call out of the blue one Sunday morning and announced my name as "LD Pierce" he was quite surprised!! He grew up in the Cleburne and GoatNeck area, and his dad grew up there. He says they were living in GoatNeck before the Peterson�s arrived. He thinks this was around 1860 same time as the Pierces arrived. His Uncle Frank Long was Sheriff of Johnson County. He remembered the story of LD Pierce�s son who was killed and threw down in the water well. The family did not know anything about it till they notice the smell in the drinking water and found the body. They never found out anything about who killed that son or why he was killed. Herbert could not remember the son�s name. Herbert recalls that the well is still there, and that it was covered by a huge flat rock with a hole in the center. A small stone wall had been built up around the well with the rock on top. The last time he was at the Pierce Ranch he could not find the rock and the well was all caved in. He recalls that the Pierces "came from Mississippi to Johnson County soon after the civil war" and that Clem Pierce owned much land before LD Pierce arrived. LD Pierce owned a huge tract of land that today is known as GoatNeck (all the land around the GoatNeck Community Center) LD Pierce came to the land on the Brazos and his freed slaves traveled with him, and worked for him on the ranch. They were known with the last name Pierce also. He had heard there were as many as 20 freed slaves. LD Pierce built the old log house, which was described by both Herbert Blackstock and Mrs. Viola Block. Pierce Crossing on the Brazos River was close by the Old Log House. He recalls that the description of GoatNeck included land from Fishtrap Crossing to Bluff Mills and Bee Mountain and Back to the north crossing. Part of that area used to be in Hill and Bosque Counties. Herbert says he has an extra copy of the first edition of the Johnson County History Book, and will autograph it and give it to July 1999 at the GoatNeck Reunion. Nov 1 1998

John R. Pierce born 1838 Lumpkin , GA; died 1863-1864 R Road Montgomery.Md. Nancy J Wimpey.

George Washington Pierce, born January 01, 1841 in Lumpkin Co., GA; died September 30, 1896 in Cisco, TX (Eastland County) at 55 years of age. Buried Oakwood Cemetery. He married Nora I. Daniels bf. 1889

Clemeth Pierce was born 1842 in Lumpkin, Co., GA. Died 1907 Johnson CO, TX

He married (1) Altha White. He married (2) Mollie Gordon, October 26, 1875.

Elizabeth Pierce, born 1844 in Lumpkin Co., GA. No other information available.

Andrew J Pierce, born August 07, 1847 in Lumpkin Co., GA;

Vicatiams M. Pierce, born 1851 in Lumpkin Co., GA. No Other Information found.

Nancy Emaline Pierce, born February 15, 1852 in Dahlonega, Lumpkin Co., GA; buried In Caty Cemetery She married James Madison Conn.

Lorenzo D (L.D.) Pierce, born January 26, 1856 in Cherokee Co., GA Near Rome GA; died 1923 in Spearman, TX. He married (1) Aqua Ora Finley. He married (2) Susanna Pluckett.

Fanny Pierce, born 1858 in Cherokee Co., GA. No other information available.

Rhoda Ann (Roddie) Pierce, born April 19, 1862 in Cherokee Co., GA (Rome??); died November 25, 1941 in Spearman,Hansford Co., TX. She married Allen Mansel (Mannie) Wilbanks May 24, 1877.