Rachael Clementine Howard

Rachael Clementine Howard, our paternal grandmother,  was born on March 6, 1866, in Plano, Collin County, Texas. She was the fifth child of William James Howard and Rachel Belzora Stimson's.

In the family Bible her full name is recorded as Rachael Clementine Hashti Vashti Eugene Augusta Santa Fe Howard. Quite a lot of names for one lady only!

Racheal attended the Spring Creek School which was four miles west of Plano, TX. Later, he joined the Fannie Harringotn Chapel - Methodist Church.

At the age of 16 (in September 1882), Racheal was baptized at Bethany Church in Plano, TX. In the same year, on December 21, she married 22-year-old Robert Jefferson Davis Brown of Tennesseee. Robert's parents were Mr. Sidney Brown and Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Brown (nee Angel). The spouse was born on September 11, 1860, in Sumner County, Tennessee.

Soon, Racheal and Robert's daughters were born.
Clevie May Brown came to this world on November 29, 1884 (in Plano). Her sister Lula Belle was born two years later, on September 7.

Unfortunately, Rachel and Robert's matrimony did not last long. They separated in 1887. Robert took the older daughter and went back to Tennessee. Lula stayed with mum in Texas. Rachel's first spouse died of pneumonia on May 23, 1890. He was buried at Bowman Cemetery, Plano, Texas. Clevie came back to her mom's then.

Two years later, on January 3, 1892, Rachael married 24-year-old John Lee Gant who was a farmer.

As the Census records show, in 1900 and ten years later as well, the couple lived with their children and Rachel's mother at Justice Precinct 5 (west part) in Plano town, Collin, Texas, United States*/**.
John and Racheal had nine children. Seven of them lived till their adult age - two infant twins were stillborn.

Rachael's youngest son Harold and one of her daughters (Victoria?)

 Original art piece by Rachael's son Harold

In 1903, on August 13, Rachel's 18-year-old daughter Clevie married Arthur Stevens Witt. The marriage ceremony took place in McKinney, Texas. Arthur was five years older than his bride - he was born to Mr. John Worth Witt and Mrs. Rachel E. Witt (nee Shirley) on February 19,1890.

Clevie and Arthur had three daughters.

1. Lula Mae - born 1907
2. Maurine Rachel - born 1910
3. Eloise Brown - born 1921

Rachael and Robert's second daughter Lula got married on August 18, 1918. Her husband was Charles Wells. Lula was married three times (and most likely divorced twice). On  June 16, 1924, she entered the second matrimony with Charles L. Moon. I do not know how long their marriage lasted. Anyway Lula's third husband was Mr. Moore.

1920 was a difficult year to Rachael and the family. In February, Viola, 24 four-year-old daughter of Rachael and John's passed. Maybe the reason was so-called Spanish influenza which had taken many lives in 1919.

After the death of Rachel Clementine's parents - William James and Rachel Belzora - she inherited  64 acres of the farm which belonged to them. The land was in Plano, Texas (north of Spring Creek - nowadays Rainier Road). According to the information which I received from cousin Rachel B., Spring Creek is around one hundred yards south of what used to be called Gant Road.

On March 25, Rachael's huband John Lee got ill. He passed on April 11, 1920, at 6:20 PM, in their home in Plano (Rachael was 54 then). After her husband's death she was the head of the family. Rachel became a farmer and farmed the land together with her children.

Years later her health deteriorated seriously. She was attended and treated by a doctor for a few months (from May 19th to October 28th, 1943). Rachael died at home on October 28 at 12:30 PM. The death certificated was signed and confirmed by Rachael's daughter Victoria.
Rachel Clementine lived 77 years, 7 months and 26 days.

Harrington Funeral Home was represented by Mr. J O who serviced Rachael (on October 29) on her last way. Her grave is in Plano at Plano Mutual Cemetery.

Source:
*United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3L3-P3Q : accessed 14 November 2017), Clevie Brown in household of John L Gant, Justice Precinct 5 (west part) Plano town, Collin, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 16, sheet 18A, family 350, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,621.

**"United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M2SC-H6Z : accessed 14 November 2017), Rachel Gant in household of John L Gant, Justice Precinct 5, Collin, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 20, sheet 8A, family 126, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1540; FHL microfilm 1,375,553. 

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Credits: Photo of gravestone by mystic75074