Hopkins Co., TX - Bios: Serena Millhollin ***************************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb by: Pat Howard USGenWeb Archives. Copyright. All rights reserved http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ***************************************************** BIOGRAPHY OF SERENA MILLHOLLIN Serena Millhollin, a daughter of Sam Lindley, known all over Hopkins County as Aunt Serena, gives a graphic account of pioneer life in Hopkins County. She says: “My father was born in the state of Kentucky, and married my mother in the state of Arkansas, and then migrated to the Republic of Mexico and stopped on North Sulphur Creek. [By reference to the first chapter in this history the reader will notice that the territory of Texas once belonged to Mexico.] about where the village of Ben Franklin is located, and remained for only one year and then moved to South Sulphur Creek, where he located for life. My mother’s maiden name was Letha Turmon. My father lived to be eighty-three years old. My mother survived him a few years and then passed to her reward. There were six children born to them. Five of these are living. Serena married Jacob Millhollin at the age of fifteen years. Jacob was a good, inoffensive, uneducated, honest man. Bartholomew married Lavina Jackson. He is a farmer and stock man, Jordina married Wig Collins, brother to Red Collins. She lived but a short time. Alice married Aiden Posey, a big-hearted fellow of splendid blood, a gentleman whom everyone respects. Lethia married Bat Millhollin, a gentleman of noble parts, genial and social to an eminent degree.” Aunt Serena is now sixty-six years old. When her father moved into the neighborhood where she is now living she was only seven years old, but she recollects distinctly the cabin her father built on the spot she was raised. It was built of logs and covered with clapboards. In size it was 14 x 14 feet with only one opening and a dirt floor. It was erected in the brush near Sulphur Creek. Cooking was performed under a brush or pole arbor. Water was brought from Sulphur Creek in small kegs on horseback. It was made her duty to go twice every day to the creek after water, carrying with her for company her little brother Bartholomew. Corn meal was produced in the manner hitherto described in this history. “My parents had all of their children come into the cabin at twilight every evening – the lights all extinguished – and there in the cabin we all sat till bedtime, not speaking except in a low whisper. This state of affairs continued for about four years. SOURCE: Early History of Hopkins County Texas - E. B. Fleming, Publisher 1902 Pp. 117 - 119 Transcribed & edited by Pat Howard