Family Reunion, Dr R O Prideaux, Archer County, Texas ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/tx/txfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Chuck Bryant rperkins@stx.rr.com December 11, 2014 REUNION OF THE PRIDEAUX FAMILIES, MAY 1st, 1965 AT THE ORIGINAL HOMESTEAD OF DR. R. O. PRIDEAUX --------------------------------------------------------- Written by Claude W. Bryant, Box 192, Stephenville, Texas It was a happy thought on the part of Chester Prideaux, his good wife, Elizabeth and their children to plan a reunion of the Prideaux families and their descendants. This included various families related by marriage and, when the count was made of registrations, there were eighty-five present. There were possibly more because the gathering included a wide range of "babies in the cradle" on up through the "gray- templed" elders. 0f course, the younger ones were not registering, unless Mama regis- tered for them. This generous invitation had gone out to all the clan who could be reached over a territory extending from Tucson, Arizona on the West to South Swansea, Massachusetts on the East. The appolnted day for the reunion, May 1st, dawned bright and clear, thereby insuring a pleasant trip. A11 converged on the original ranch home of Dr. R. 0. Prideaux, now a part of the Chester Prideaux ranch, located in a rather sparsely set- tled section of Archer County near a point where the four counties, Archer, Young, Jack and C1ay, come to a corner. The relatives came by train, plane (at least part way) and by automobile. The "folks" began to arrive early and kept trickling in until noon, but they all arrived for the bounteous spread of barbecue and all that goes with it. A bit of family history should be told in order to fu11y appreciate this un- usual gathering. The Prideauxs are of English deseent, having come to the United States, arriving by boat in New Orleans in i856. They traveled North to St. Louis, thence to Morris, Illinois where most of the children grew up. Some of the children came West to Missouri and Kansas, then two of the brothers, Dr. R. O. Prideaux and George H. Prideaux came into Indian Territory, then into Texas by way of Sherman, Cleburne and Brownwood. They proceeded North and, in 1873 settled on the very land where we held our re-union. Before this final decision, they explored up and down the streams of Young, Jack and Archer counties and decided in favor of the present location on the head waters of the West Fork of the Trinity. About this time Dr. Prideaux married Miss Sophia Johnson, a native of Sweden. The brother, George H. Prideaux decided on a course for himself and went to Milam County, where he soon married Miss Nannie Perkins. They moved to Lott, Texas where they reared the one son, Tom, and two daughters, Minnie and Mabel. The ones in attendance last Saturday (May 1st) were descendants or related by marriage of either Dr. R.O. Prideaux or his brother, George H. Prideaux. Children of the R.O. Prideaux family were: May, Nellie, Frank, Ed, Chester, Elsie, Jesse, Henry and George. May, the older girl, was the first white child born in Archer county. Actually, at the time Archer County had not been organized, the organization becoming effective in 1880. There were three babies who died in infancy and were buried in the South section of the yard —— the little graves are enclosed today by a curbing of heavy native stone. No doubt there were no cemeteries near at the time and the bewildered young parents selected a burial place in the yard. Getting back to the re-union proper, the writer had made the trip as part of a "two-car caravan" which started from the home of my son Alton W. Bryant, of Dallas. In the two cars were Alton, his wife Barbara, their three sons, Douglas, Addison and Charles; myself, wife Pearl and Alton's Aunt Mabel Prideaux Abshire of Fort Worth. The family connection here is that Minnie Prideaux, deceased, was the writer's first wife and, in this way, the Bryants are related. The day for the re-union came and all headed for the ranch under clear skies and with a gentle breeze blowing from the South. From Jacksboro on to the ranch we were in the "Prideaux Brothers country". Part of their earliest Texas experiences was to harvest hay and sell it to the army post at Fort Richardson in the South edge of Jacksboro (some of the buildings still standing). They sold buffalo hides and marketed cattle in Fort Worth. They rounded up wild hogs, which had grown up in the wooden section, feeding on mast, and "topped off" the feeding with some sort of grain. The hogs were part of their meat supply. Their first residence was a log structure down near the barn (the barn, or at least, a portion of same is still standing) then, a little later, the home was built as you see it today. Not exactly as you see the residence, either, for in that day there was no such thing as asbestos siding which covers the walls today. However, the shape of the house is practically the same and could be called a kind of English style with tall walls and very steep roof. There is a second story to the building, reached by a stairway from the kitchen and, no doubt, this was "sleeping quarters" for the boys in this large and growing family. A tall rock chimney with fire-place opening into a large downstairs room serves a kind of double purpose -- it has the fire-place inside made for long lengths of fire-wood and, on the outside, the chimney serves as a kind of personal history. In other words, the children and grandchildren and possibly great-grandchildren have playfully carved their names in the sandstone. On one rock is carved the name of Martel Bryant, 1912; on another rock is the name of Alton W. Bryant, 1920. The boys are both sons of Claude W. and Minnie Prideaux Bryant. Other names are listed in various forms. Barbara, wife of Alton Bryant, started to list her name (the day of the re-union) and got as far as the "B" in her name but decided it was too hard a job. Elaborate written instructions had been given by Elizabeth, the gracious wife of Chester Prideaux, as to just how to reach the ranch. We were to go North 28 miles from Jacksboro on Highway #281, then West 4 miles on Highway #61, then to the right and so on for another 5 miles to the ranch. Alton, our "head-driver" had been to the ranch many years ago and remembered the ranch-house when it came into view. His Aunt Mabel, in the same car, also remembered the home. The ranch home and corrals are located on a hill with magnificent scenery in almost every direction. Approaching the headquarters around a curve in the road, there were silhouetted against the sky-line the horse-back riders, apparently having a grand time. There were all ages of boys and girls in the group, and, no doubt, some of them were taking their first ride. This went on all morning until the reigns were dropped at the fence for the noon hour. And there was the one-horse carriage, dating back for more than half a century. They had borrowed the carriage from some antique collection at Windthorst. It seems that Chester and Ed and their families, also the other relatives of Archer City had tried to think of everything which would insure a good time for all, and more especially the children. The horses were all fat and sleek and gentle -- just right for the children's rides and to pull the venerable carriage around. And not alone the children for "grown-ups", too, tried out the carriage. Came time for lunch and Ed "sounded off" by ringing the cow bell. The shiny truck of the Wichita Falls caterer had already arrived and soon the lines were forming to partake of the generous meal. There was barbecue, and all the trimmings, coffee and soft drinks, capped off with ice cream. With lunch-time over, the 85 relatives gathered in little groups to visit or scattered out under the oak tree or inspected every nook and cranny about the house. It all had a history for the immediate family and they were glad to describe to the "new-comers" various incidents of early day ranch life. So the "grown-ups" began to reminisce and tell of unusual happenings around the home place. At one point I thought Ed was fixing his boot but he finally dreew out of the boot-leg the biography of his Father, which I had reproduced and enclose with this. Chester told of his Father's instructions if the boys became lost in riding the range -- that was, to drop the reins and his faithful horse would take him home. Chester spoke of the time during World War One when he and his brother George were in training at San Antonio and he remembered visiting the Alamo. Elsie (Mrs. Charles Smith) of Lubbock and Richard Prideaux, her nephew, were glad to show the underground cellar which was as old at the house itself. It was in good condition with concrete walls and a ledge of concrete for seats or for storage of fruits. Elsie told of how her father would travel by wagon to Bowie and buy a supply of groceries and other needs. He would return with cane syrup and sugar in barrels and flour in 500 pound quantities. The trip to Bowie by wagon required three days. After the country had more settlers it was the custom to "take turns" at slaughtering a beef and distributing it among the families. Elsie told of watching from a safe distance as the boys would "break" young horses -- all her brothers were good riders but Ed and Henry were thought to be the best. Elsie remembered the names of one team of horses as "Big Enough" and "Pack". In contrast to reviewing "old times," is the fast moving story of Captain Daniel L. Steen, who was in attendance at the meeting. Capt. Steen is a pilot for Pan American Air Lines. He piloted a commercial plane from Venezuela to New York on April 30th (Friday), then boarded an American Air Lines plane to Dallas, and joined us for the noon meal at the ranch on Saturday, May 1st. Captain Steen is a descendant of Walter Steen and May Prideaux Steen. Tommie, widow of Frank Prideaux, and now living in Graham was there. I had known Tommie as the daughter of Tom Phillips of Marlin. Azile, widow of Jesse Prideaux was in attendance. I remembered her in the days when she and Jesse would pass through Stephenville en route to visit their daughters and would stop at my office. I enjoyed them so much. I remembered Inez, widow of Henry Prideaux, who now lives in Graham. Her memory about early events is remarkable. It was on Henry's land that oil was first discovered in Southern Archer county in February, 1925 but it has later reached to all the Prideaux holdings. Pardon my writing the story from a rather personal standpoint but, no doubt, my experience at the re-union was very much the same as others and I hope the account will be of interest. Mrs. Ruth Waring, vivacious and smiling wife of Ellis A. Waring of South Swansea, Massachusetts, edged into the "chow" line wanting to make sure that she was in on the barbecue. Said she, "I have been to a lot of New England clam bakes but this is my FIRST BAPBECUE." Mrs. Mabel Abshire was busy meeting the relatives and locating landmarks. Some of the oak trees near the home had been there even before the house was built. Mabel's father, George H. Prideaux was said to have fastened a swing to a certain tree limb in the front yard. The study tree with the straight out limb is still standing. The family felt sorrowful that Jesse, one of the favorites with them, passed away only a few months ago, but his widow, Azile, braved everything and came along to add what she could to the occasion. Above are some of the high points, as I recall them, and I trust that it is a fair recording of events on that memorable re-union at the R.O. Prideaux ranch home. I am glad to mail these copies, three in a group, to each household without cost to you. The mimeograph company will keep intact the stencils which they have cut and, if you need additional copies for friends, the extras may be obtained at $1.00 each. PRIDEAUX RANCH, ARCHER COUNTY REUNION, MAY 1, 1965 Ed R. and Ruby Prideaux 1543 Mesquite, Wichita Falls, Texas Juanita Prideaux and Janelle (8) Ed's daughter 205 Sunnyland Drive, San Antonio, Texas Helen (Mrs. Chas., Jr.) Smith, Kay and Shari 4205 Bilglade Road, Fort Worth, Texas Claude E. and Mrs. Bryant Box 192 Stephenville, Texas Mr. and Mrs. Alton Bryant, Douglas, Addison and Chas. 5907 Martel, Dallas, Texas Mrs. F.A. (Tommie) Prideaux 718 Kentucky, Graham, Texas Mrs. H.O. (Inez) Prideaux 704 Cherry, Graham, Texas Mr. and Mrs. R.O. (Audrey) Prideaux (Henry's son) Route 1, Windthorst, Texas Mr. and Mrs. W.R. (Larue) Hall, James and Pat 2417 Skyline Drive, Waco, Texas Mr. and Mrs. Michael H. Hall, Miles and Lyles Tuscon, Arizona Mr. and Mrs. Richard Greer (Sadie Prideaux) 209 E. North Street, Fayetteville, Arkansas (Henry's daughter) Mr. and Mrs. Larry Phillips (Anita Greer), John, Sherri and Steve 1655 Broadview Drive, Fayetteville, Arkansas Mr. and Mrs. Richard S. Greer 209 E. North, Fayetteville, Arkansas Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Loveless (Nadine Prideaux),Lucinda and Carolyn (Henry's daughter} 1508 W. Eighth, Roswell, New Mexico Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Steen (Mae Prideaux's son) 310 Bryan Street, Weatherford, Texas Mr. and Mrs. Enoch Steen and Dewayne (Mae Prideaux's son) Idalou, Texas Mr. and Mrs. Dan Steen, Debbie, Dana and Jane 65 Salem Ridge Drive, Huntington, New York Mrs. Mabel Prideaux Abshire Westbrook Hotel, Fort Worth, Texas Mrs. J.L. Prideaux (Azile) Archer City, Texas J.L. and Gail (Mr. and Mrs) Prideaux, Brannin, Barton and Lisa 2502 Clark Lane, Paris, Texas Mr. and Mrs. T.J. Kline and Carol (Jess' daughter) 10425 Yorkford Drive, Dallas, Texas Mr. and Mrs. Frank Lauderdale (Jess' daughter), Lee, Sue, Lou and Mike 4101 Raguet, Nacogdoches, Texas Mr. Frank Lauderdale, Sr. Nacogdoches, Texas David Moxley (Vondelle's son) 3112 - 21st Street, Lubbock, Texas Jenny Baldwin (Vivian's daughter, Vivian is Jessu' daughter) 6215 DeLoach, Dallas, Texas Mr. and Mrs. E.A. Waring (Dick's mother and father-in-law) 132 Baypoint, South Swansea, Massachusetts Dr. and Mrs. G.E. Hurt, Jr., (Ann Prideaux), Catherine, Douglas, Carolyn and Ellison (Chester's daughter is Ann Hurt) 3544 Greenbrier Drive, Dallas, Texas Richard "Dick" Prideaux (Sue, his wife was in the hospital) Archer City, Texas (Chester's son is Dick) Chester and Elizabeth Prideaux Box 906, Archer City, Texas