Tyler CO. TX - Anderson Barclay ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Teddy Barclay Pope, Ed. D. TPope77497@aol.com ==================================================================== cant remember if I have already sent this to you. Here is the story of Walter Barkley of Rowan County's son Anderson Barclay of Texas. Anderson was the first of the Barkleys to settle in east Texas. He was in some fiece fighting for Texas Independence. Anderson Barclay Son of Walter Barclay b. 1774 in Rowan CO NC and Elizabeth McQueen Barclay b. 1790 Madison CO Ky A research paper By Teddy L. Barclay Pope, Ed. D. August 1, 1999 Forward: The writer was requested by several family members to research the life, times, events and legends about Anderson Barclay. The purpose was to sort out what might have actually taken place, specifically in relation to when he arrived in Texas, and with whom, and what was his role in the Texas War for Independence, and state some opinions about it. This paper is based on the findings of other family researchers and the writer using items of research she had compiled from other research. Twenty-five hours was devoted to this paper. Another ten would provide more information. It is recommened that a family researcher do that. The sources included were those found at the Terrell Historical Library in Beaumont, the Texas Room of the Downtown Houston Library, The Whitmeyer Genealogical Library in Woodville located at Heritage Village and the documents in the Tyler County Court House in Woodville, and the online sources on rootweb. Also consulted were the records at Nacogdoches which were summarized and the content provided by the McQueen and Crews researcher, Donna Porter. Also consulted were many descendants of Anderson Barclay and Sarah Prather. There are several questions that turned up in the research that still need attention. It is recommended that one or more descendants of Anderson Barclay and Sarah Prather compile family trees for each of the children. It is also recommended that someone follow up on identifying J. H. Barkley, of Captain Shakelford's Georgia Volunteers Red Rovers in order to either confirm him or eliminate him as a brother of Anderson Barclay.The major researcher on this paper was Teddy L. Barclay Pope, Ed. D. A second researcher on this paper was Dennise L. Pope. August 3, 1999. Anderson Barclay Anderson Barclay, and his wife Sarah Prather Barclay, was the first son of Walter Barclay and Elizabeth McQueen to settle in the Menard District. The Menard later became Tyler County and other counties. Anderson Barclay was born in Franklin County, Tennessee in 1806. He died in Tyler County Texas in 1870. He came to Texas from Tennessee, when he was a young man. His wife Sarah Prather (m. 1829) came, and the relatives of his mother, Elizabeth McQueen Barclay. (Some questions; Did Sarah come with him or did he meet her in Texas and what can we learn about Sara Prather). Here is the story, which has checked out to be pretty reasonable. It was compared with the findings of the earlier Barclay researchers, the current Barclay researchers and the researchers of the McQueen, Bean, Taylor, and Deason families. The Story David and Milton McQueen, brothers in the same generation of sister Elizabeth McQueen Barclay and sisters Spicey Matilda McQueen Taylor and Jane McQueen Bean came to East Texas in 1826 along with Anderson Barclay. They had with them some children of the sisters. Walter Barclay, Elizabeth McQueen Barclay's husband, who was Anderson Barclay's father, and his older sons went too,(the older sons were Robert, Anderson, David, John, William, James - not sure if all went but have no reason to believe any did not go) to look Texas over as a prospective home. They went first to Nacogdoches, which was a town of size, and then made their plans to move on into East Texas. Walter and his older sons liked what they saw. They went back to get together the rest of the family and bring them to Texas. This process took several years. The last of the sons, the eldest, Robert and his wife Sarah McKinsey Barclay and their children already born, arrived around 1838. The rest of the Walter Barclay family, back in Alabama, (very near the Tennessee border) was mother Elizabeth and her younger sons Jeremiah Todd (Rigsby) and Milton, and daughters Mary "Polly" (Bevin), Louisa (Jennings), and Nancy (John Deason). There were problems with the Mexican government in Nacogdoches, as Mexico had become independent from Spain, and the earlier policy toward anglo settlers in Texas had changed. Earlier, angloes had been encouraged to settle in the area called Tejas, called later, Texas. Mexico wanted the land settled, to provide a buffer between the more northern Mexican villages and the Comanche Indians. Having horses, the Comanche Indians could ride a thousand miles and swoop down and raid the northern Mexico villages. After Nacogdoches, Anderson settled in the San Augustine settlement. In that settlement were some other pioneers that moved on to the Menard district after awhile. (see the census of 1835). By the time Anderson Barclay and the McQueens settled, the Mexican position had changed. Anglo setters were not surposed to be in the area, and so many of the deeds that were later recorded were dated several years after the pioneers had actually come to Texas. This may have been for several reasons, such as; 1) why tell that you had already been there when it was not known, and you were not supposed to do it, and, 2) why let your time for seven years without taxes start earlier than it had to, and, 3) why get yourself and others in trouble. Primarily, the reason was that they were not writing deeds earlier. When Anderson's deed was first recorded, it was 1834. Other records show him to have been in east Texas many eighth years by then. Other settlers may have been in the same situation, as Anderson Barclay had one of the first recorded deeds. There were other families in the Mount Hope area where Anderson moved to from San Augustine that had already been there also, prior to the dates on their records. These were the children of Anderson Barclay and Sarah Prather; W. W. (William Walter), who served in the Confederate Army and married Elizabeth Futch, b. 5/22/1832, married 3/24/1853 and died 11/04/1908; John; Elizabeth; Mahaley F.; Anderson, Jr. (b. 8/9/1845), who married Mary J. Seaman 12/13/1871 (d. 11/26/1898); Jerry, G_____? daughter, Andrew and Artelia. Anderson Barclay's Military Service From the pension applications from the service in the army of the republic (AOR).it is noted that: Anderson Barclay, Tyler Co., approved June 23, 1871. Age 63 in 1870. Served in Captain M. B. Lewis's company and Col. B. R. Milam's regiment which engaged in the battle of San Antonio in 1835. Received bounty warrant #3396 for 320 acres. Stephen Williams and Hanable Good, of Jasper Co. knew that Barclay served in AOR in 1835. James T. Priest and W.W. Whitehead certified A. Barclay, Sr. was living in 1873. Fighting first broke out with the Mexican troops a long time before Texas Independence was declared in 1836. In Nacogdoches, in 1832, Col. James Whitis Bullock (not Charles W. Bullock of a later generation) lead in a battle the with Mexican troops, in which Milton McQueen, Anderson Barclay and other cousins participated in. (see James Whitis Bullock and family on census of San Augustine 1835, a neighbor of Anderson Barclay). Later, after the war with Mexico had begun, but Texas Independence had not yet been declared, Anderson joined with others in the area with an army raised by Uriah Irwin Bullock who invested his fortune in the cause of Texas Independence and brought the Georgia volunteers, men who came with him. (of interest is that James A. Bullock and David Bullock also lived in the San Augustine settlment in 1835). Bullock's army headed toward the area of San Antonio, where trouble was brewing. At Valasco, south of the Harrisburg area, U. Bullock was taken with the measles. Measles was a more serious illness then than it is now. He was bedridden. It was not practical for the army to delay several days for his recovery. They left him at Valasco and went on without him. Bullock's army, without Bullock, arrived at San Antonio. The army there, including James Bowie and Travis were at the Bexar. They had been gathering since October. The battle took place in December. They were waiting for a large army to be gathered. Fannin gathered forces at Goliad. Gathered forces at Gonzales. War broke out between those Texian at Bexar and the Mexican soldiers. The Texians won. The remnants of the Mexican soldiers returned to Mexico to report the occurrence to President Santa Ana. Santa Ana made plans to return to the San Antonio area with an army of seasoned troops, which he would lead himself. This was expected by the Texas forces in the San Antonio area, but they did not think it would be possible for him to get there before late spring. It was expected that he would delay starting until the weather was more favorable and there would be grass for the horses to eat along the way. Santa Ana and his army, which increased in size as it went, numbered between four and seven thousand men. Santa Ana wanted to be known as the Napoleon Bonapart of the west. One reference said it was his custom to travel with everything but an Italian opera. While the remaining Texas soldiers waited to be joined by Fannin's army and army, they were celebrating a festival for George Washington's Birthday when Santa Ana's army was first spotted by the look out. History and the records tell us that most of the men at the Battle of the Bexar stayed there afterward and were at the Battle of the Alamo. The volunteers from Georgia were at the Massacre of Goliad under Fannin. They gave their lives for the cause of Texas Independence. Tradition is that Anderson and several others were out hunting for game for Fannin's army when the Mexicans captured the town. They were not with Fannin's army. The records for the massacre at Goliad indicate that some were not present. Some were on leave, and that some did escape. There was a soldier named Barkley, which was the spelling the Barclays of Tyler County continued to use for quite awhile after coming to East Texas. He is listed as J. H. Barkley. I have copied for the reader the records pertinent to the Barclay family about the Massacre at Goliad. This is directly from those records, which may be found on the Internet. -------- Excerpts from Military Records ---------------------------------------------------------Shackleford, Jack "Red Rovers" List of massacred at Goliad on Mar 27, 1836 [some escaped] Col. Fannin, Jr. Comm. Jan 19, 1836 - Feb 29, 1836 [A2, Section C] Dep: GoliadStart of Transcription (literal, 90 char wide)============================================ (22) 18 Muster Roll Capt Shackleford's Co. "Red Rovers" from 19th Jan: to 29th Febry 1836.--------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- Names Rank RemarksJack Shackleford Captain EscapedF.S. Early 1st Lieut Sick & on furlough W.C. Francis 2 " In adv with HortonF.S. Shackleford 1st SgtJ.D. Hamilton 2 " EscapedA.G. Foley 3 "Z.H. Short 4 "H.H. Bentley 1st CorplD. Moore 2 " Issd No 8 1/3 Lea 30th May 1848 J.H Barkley 3 " No 113 Issd for 1/3 L. Oct 14/59A. Winter 4 "P.H. Anderson Private Joseph Blackwell "B. F. Burts " No 135 issd for 1/3 L. Oct 24/59Thomas Burbridge " Issd No 139 1/3J N. Barnhill "J.W. Cain "Harvey Cox " No 119 issd for 1/3 L. Oct 16th/59Seth Clark "J G. Coe " Alfred Dorsey "G.L.[5] Davis " Issd for 1/3 L to G A Davis Whether the Barclay shown above was Anderson Barkley is not known by this writer at this time. There are other researchers that have worked on this longer and are more knowledgeable. It is hoped that one of them will see this paper and further develop the body of knowledge about Anderson Barclay and his descendants, which were numerous. A good thing to start with would be to find out who J. H. Barkley was, and if he was a cousin or what kin he was to the children of Walter Barclay and Elizabeth McQueen Barclay. He may have been one of the Georgia volunteers, or another Barclay in Texas, or he may have been John Barclay, presumed to be Anderson's brother John, who was later at the Battle of San Jacinto with Anderson. It is not impossible that it may have been Anderson's brother James Barclay, who was in the Army of Texas by July of 1836. This research point is solvable. In addition to those that signed up for the Texas Army, there were those that did not sign up. They were like the patriot soldiers of the American Revolution. It was a common practice. They were men who had families and responsibilities that were willing to fight for as long as they were needed, but did not sign up. This may have been the case with Anderson, since his service was verified later by others when he received his acres for his grant and pension. (WW Whitehead and James Priest of MT Hope). The next tradition of the family and of Mount Hope was that Anderson was then at the Battle of San Jacinto, having gone back to East Texas where Sam Houston was gathering an army. Although he was not on the roll of the Battle of San Jacinto, others verified that he was there and some of them were, too. Anderson went to San Jacinto without a captain, having come from the area of Goliad. The troops there under Col. Fannin had been massacred. His commander, Captain Bullock never made it there after being bedridden at Valasco. Anderson received a large acreage bounty pension for his service in the Texas Army, so it is likely he was in several battles in order to receive that much. His participation was witnessed by WW Whitehead and J Priest of the Mount Hope settlement where Anderson later lived in the adjoining Peach Tree area. It is noted that the fighting for Texas and by the Texas Army did not end with the Battle of San Jacinto. There was continuous fighting with Mexican Military Personnel and with the Indians who were stirred up, in large part by the Mexicans. The fighting between Mexico and Texas continued over the position of the border. It did not end until Texas entered the Union and four months later the US War with Mexico was over the same issue. Anderson and his brothers all had service in the Texas army except those too young to serve. Jeremiah Todd and Milton were children. The other brothers who served were; David, William, John, James and Robert. John Barkley was also at the Battle of San Jacinto. It is yet to be determined if the John Barkley there was Anderson's brother John. David and William were in the military service in the United States and Mexican War, where William lost his life Later By statehood for Texas, in 1846, Anderson Barclay and Sarah Prather had a nice family and big farm where they lived in the Mount Hope Peach Tree area. He lived to be an old man, and was much respected by the citizens and loved by his family. His descendants were numerous in the Northern part of Tyler County. His brother David and his wife Jane Enloe lived in the area for awhile, but they later went to Falls County. His brother Robert and and his wife Sarah McKinsey Barclay, and their children, were also there. The descendants of Anderson Barclay are generally called the Chester Barclays by the people of Tyler County. Some of the descendants of Anderson Barclay are given below, after the reprint of the story from the Beaumont Enterprise of 1932, which tells of the Wild Deer aiding in the capture of Santa Ana. Annotation to this article has been done by this writer. Wild Deer Aids in Santa Anna's Capture A Tale of the Mexican General's Apprehension After His Defeat ANDERSON BARCLAY AT THE BATTLE OF SAN JACINTO Handed Down by Anderson Barclay Jr. from the Beaumont Enterprise, 1932 Forward: Anderson Barclay also served the previous December at the Battle of the Bexar, at the same location as the Battle of the Alamo about three months later. Anderson served with Uriah Irwin Bullock from the San Augustine settlement with his volunteers from Georgia and other east Texas men from the Liberty area. Bullock sunk his personal fortune into the cause of Texas Independence. Bullock became ill with the measles and was left at Valesco. His army went on to the Bexar. After that battle with week long house to house combat at defeat of the Mexican solders who were there, they went back to Mexico and the President of Mexico, who was also General Santa Anta, returned in a forced march. He returned earlier than it was thought possible. He had not being expected until after winter was over. Many of the men at the battle of the Bexar stayed over and were at the men at the Alamo. Others, including the Georgia volunteers, were at Goliad under Fannin. There, 500 were captured and executed. That was about two weeks after the fall of the Alamo. Legend was that Anderson had been out with a group on a hunting expedition for game and therefore excaped being part of the massacre. Another family member who was at the Battle of San Jacinto was Anderson's brother John Barkley/Barclay, who is listed on the official San Jacinto records. Anderson Barclay received land pensions for his service. When the Barclay family of the parents Walter and Elizaebth McQueen, eight sons and three daughters and some wives and children came to the Menard district, they were still using the Barkley spelling of their name that they had used in North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama. (Teddy L. Barclay Pope, Ed D, January, 1999) The Wild Deer A frightened buck deer running across the battle ground of San Jacinto was responsible for the capture of General Santa Anna--the self-styled "Little Napoleon of the West." The story has never been published, though it is well authenticated, and old-timers will tell it as long as old-timers last in the communities of Chester, Mount Hope, and Peach Tree Village in Tyler County. For it is a tale which was handed down by Anderson Barclay, one of the first settlers of northern Tyler county, the man who helped the famous Deaf Smith cut Vince's bridge just before the Battle of San Jacinto, and who told it to his grandsons who live today near Mount Hope. (historians now believe there were several trusted men with Deaf Smith, hand picked by him who destroyed the bridge by blowing it up and burning it. Anderson had just been at the Battle of the Bexar with Deaf Smith. TLBP 8/1/1999). Anderson Barclay, whose name will live in Texas history, along with that of Deaf Smith, who was an intimate of General Sam Houston, was chosen with Smith to do away with the only means by which Houston's little army could escape from the pocket in which they placed themselves on the bend of the San Jacinto river, and where they intended, and did, teach Santa Anna and his much larger army a monumental military lesson--while they liberated Texas from Mexico.(note: Historian think that Santa Ana had intended to head toward Ft. Teron, north of Chester, TX by then miles. Recently visited by Garland Hayes of Woodville and Robert David of Chester, July 1998, report terrible rough logging road, accessible by truck or jeep, too rough on sedan automobile). Barclay returned from destroying the bayou bridge, to engage in the short but decisive battle. It was the next day, while he was in company with Deaf Smith and other Texans, that he saw a buck deer running across the prairie--as his grandsons tell it today. Suddenly, the deer halted, frightened, evidently at something in the underbrush or tall weeds. The Texans, noticing the incident, decided they would investigate. As they moved, the deer made away, but when they reached the spot and peered in, they found two or three Mexicans.(recent visit to area by Teddy Barclay Pope and Dennise L. Pope to observe area in April, third week, 1997 found marsh like area surrounding the park, unlike the manicured grounds of the historical park at San Jacinto). All were dressed as peons or common soldiers, and it was not until a little later that Smith and Barclay learned that they had captured the Mexican general. That was when other Mexican soldiers, who had been captured, recognized Santa Anna and cried, "Viva la General!" (other reports of eye witnesses said that others also brought in similarly clad soldiers. Santa Ana was among those peon soldiers brought in, and some of the soldiers were murmuring and saying "El Presidenta". Then they took Santa Anna before General Houston, who lay wounded under a tree. Anderson Barclay, a beloved man, came to the Mount Hope country from somewhere east of the Mississippi just before the first Barnes came into that part of the then east Texas wilderness to establish the name and their fortunes. Anderson Barclay lies today in a little burial ground, with only a bit of native rock, uncarved, above his head. It would be well to have a monument for Anderson Barclay, and yet the man who helped cut Vince's bridge, and who helped in the capture of Santa Anna, needs none. The End Continue reading for: the Descendants of Anderson Barclay and Sarah Prather These were the children of Anderson Barclay and Sarah Prather; W. W. (William Walter), who served in the Confederate Army and married Elizabeth Futch, b. 5/22/1832, married 3/24/1853 and died 11/04/1908; John; Elizabeth; Mahaley F.; Anderson, Jr. (b. 8/9/1845), who married Mary J. Seaman 12/13/1871 (d. 11/26/1898); Jerry, G_____? daughter, Andrew and Artelia. These are some descendants of either Anderson Barclay or brother Robert Barclay A Chester Barclay family: Anderson Barclay Jr. (d.1890) married Mary Seamans. Children were Fremon, Tom, Dexter, Clarence, Lee, Alvin and Stella. Alvin married Annie Boyett. Children were Verna, Aline (Elton Barclay), Ruby (Albert Jordan), Louise (Joe Chitwood), Clayton (Nata Fuller). Verna's children were Evelyn (Dodson), Connie (Bennett), and Jerry (Kathy Cook). Aline's children were Milton, Wayne and Margie (Moss). Others were Ruby, (Albert Jordan), Louise (Joe Chitwood), and Clayton (Nata Fuller). Some Chester area Barclays are as follows: Robert Barclay and Edna Stuart Barclay had thirteen children (Fourth generation). The children and their spouses were Dick (Vadna Flowers), Beavis (Edit Stuce), Howell (Edna King), Sam (Mayanna), Blundy (H. Seaman), Sally (John Seaman), Lucy (J. T. King), Fie, May (Nancy Platt), Essie (Wesley Knight), Elton (Aline Barclay). Dick and Vadna's descendants were Reese, Paul, Johnnie Mae (Maxine Seaman), Dorothy (Flowers), Paul (Best), "Slick". Elton and Aline's descendants were Milton, Wayne and Margie (Moss). Howell and Edna's descendants were Ida, Gladys (Powell) and Flora. Beavis and Edit's descendants were Gladys and Neil. Sally and John's descendants were Talmade, (Bryant) Loftin, Ivandell (Snow). May and Noey's descendants were Novell, Lloyd and Conner. Essie and Wesley's descendants were Opa and Arline. Tabitha Dorcas ("Aunt Bithie") BARCLAY Born: 24 Apr 1883 Father: Milton Hansbreau BARCLAY Mother: (Betty) Elizabeth PLATT Married: Hiram Monroe WATTS 21 Dec 1900 Died: Children: Vida Elizabeth WATTS (Married Esca E. DEAN) Willie WATTS Milton WATTS Robert WATTS Mae WATTS BASKIN Annie WATTS RAMSEY Milton Hansbreau BARCLAY Born: 5 Nov 1849 Father: Anderson Edward BARCLAY Mother: Sarah Ann PRATHER (b. about 1816 in LA) Married: (Betty) Elizabeth PLATT Died:31 May 1914 Buried in Barclay Cemetery Children: Tabitha Dorcas BARCLAY WATTS Bishop "Bish" BARCLAY Agnes BARCLAY YOUNG Yelverton "Hal" BARCLAY James BARCLAY Matthew BARCLAY Edgar BARCLAY Willie BARCLAY Elmer BARCLAY Annie Laurie BARCLAY DEAN Dora BARCLAY WATTS Lela BARCLAY DEAN (NOTE: Bish and Agnes BARCLAY were twins. Bish was (a mean) sheriff. Dora BARCLAY married Jasper WATTS; her sister, Tabitha, married Jasper's brother, Hiram M. WATTS, creating sets of "double cousins.") A Chester Barclay family: Joe Thomas (b. 1917) married Pearl Rees. Their children were Steven Douglas, Beth Ann (Kankin), Robert and Darrell, David Thomas (Julie) and Andrew, Charles, Jennifer and Brad. R. E. Excerpts from A Texas Family: The Barclays by Teddy L. Barclay Pope Ed. D., 1999 Anderson Edward Barclay was born in 1807/8 in Franklin County, Tennessee to Walter Barclay of Rowan County, North Carolina, and Elizabeth McQueen of Richmond, Madison County, Kentucky. He was the second son. He served in the Battle of Bexar in December of 1835. He received six hundred and forty acres for his service. He joined Sam Houston's Army and received twelve hundred and eighty acres in Hutchinson County, Texas for his service. He had three hundred and twenty acres in Newton County, Texas in 1838. In the 1840 census, he had 3,353 acres, one slave and one horse, valued at $4,400. Anderson was a soldier in the Civil War, serving in the Home Guard. Anderson Edward was born in 1807, married in 1829 and died after 1870. His children were: W. W. (William Walter), who served in the Confederate Army and married Elizabeth Futch, b. 5/22/1832, married 3/24/1853 and died 11/04/1908; John; Elizabeth; Mahaley F.; Anderson, Jr. (b. 8/9/1845), who married Mary J. Seaman 12/13/1871 (d. 11/26/1898); Jerry, G_____? daughter, Andrew and Artelia. This paper is a rough draft. A descendant of Anderson Barclay, or a genealogist should write a paper, or collaborate with this writer to expand the information available about Anderson Barclay. Some of the things of interest that come to mind are, who was Sarah Prather and what is her state of origin and lineage, where was Anderson's land in specific and what was the deposition of it, and identify all of the descendants of Anderson Barclay to the current date. Another point of interest would be to consult with the Texas Historical Association regarding more specific date available about who might have been on the mission with Deaf Smith. Also, see what is the consensus about militia soldiers who were not on the official list of the regular army at the Battle of San Jacinto. Another research point not pertinent to Anderson, but of general curiosity. is determining who is J.H. Barclay, of Goliad. The research on this paper was done along with other matters being researched at the same time about Anderson Barclay's brothers. With that in mind, the estimate of the time required to research this paper and write it was twenty hours. Anderson Edward BARCLAY Born: 1808 in Tennessee Father: Walter BARCLAY Mother: Elizabeth MCQUEEN Married: Sarah Ann PRATHER Died: after 1870 in Chester, Tyler Co., Texas Children: The End