John Hobdy Adams and Family

Another man who (at some point of his life) moved to Texas was John Hobdy Adams. 

 

John Hobdy Adams was born on 13 December 1827 in Macon, Alabama. His parents were Samuel Good (Goodwyn?) Brooks Adams (born 22 January 1797 in Tar River, Granville, NC) and Margaret Hobdy (born 27 April 1807 in Guilford, NC). 

John had a two-year-older sister Siddy Ann (born 13 May 1825 in Pike, Alabama). Later, two more girls were born to the family: Nancy (on 11 January 1830, in Pike, AL) and Cynthia Ann (born on 15 September 1832).

♦ 24 November 1834 - John's mother, Margaret, passed.

⚭ Siddy Ann married young, around 1840. Her spouse was 7-year-older Angus McBryde (born 23 December 1814, Robeson, NC).

⚭ 16-year-old Nancy married Nelson A Johnson in Macon, Alabama, on 29 December 1846 (1). The couple had one son Nelson Hodby (born ab. 1848).

What happened to the youngest sister of John's, whether she survive or died, I do not know.

 👉 October 1850 Census - 22-year-old John lived with his father Samuel in District 21, Macon County, Alabama. They both were registered as farmers (2).

⚭ 4 July 1854 - Nancy Ann married again (in Macon, AL). Her second spouse was Robert Usher (3).

Four years later, on ⚭  4 February 1858, John married Miss. Martha E Warmack (born 11 September 1840, Alabama), the daughter of  William M Womack and Catherine Elisabeth Adams.  The marriage took place in Macon County, Alabama as well (4). 

👉 In 1859, the couple moved, together with other members of the Adams family, to Polk County, Texas. Around the same time, John's sister, Nancy, her husband, and children moved to Polk County, too.

🔹 In the same year, on 21 April, John and Martha's first son, William Edwin, was born in Moscow.

 

♦ 6 March 1860 - Jihn's father, Samuel, died in Macon, Alabama.

🏡 19 July 1860 - Census - John Hobdy (age 33), Martha E (age 20), and baby William lived in Precinct #6, Halifax, Polk County, TX. John farmed there (5).

⚭  21 October 1861, John Hodby Jr. arrived to the family/this world. 

→ 30 March 1862 - John Hobdy enlisted as Private into the CA, Company E, 20th Infantry, Elmore's Regiment (6).

→ 2 June 1862 - the man was elected 3rd Lieutenant (replaced N T White, who resigned).

🔹 22 August 1862, daughter Catherine Elisabeth was born in Woods, Panola, Texas.

→ From January to June 1863, John H Adams was on sick leave, at home in Polk County, TX.

→ January 1864 - the man was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant. Next month, he served on recruiting duty.
→ March 1864 - John Hobdy was stationed at Bolivar Point.
→ In April of the same year, he was at Fort Green in Galveston and Fort Magruder in July.
→ John H Adams was recorded as sick and stayed in his quarters in August 1864.
→ 31 August 1864, 2 Lt. John H Adams was detailed to procure palmetto for the Company hats.

🔹 1 March 1865, daughter Margaret Frances was born. In the same month, John came home to see his newly-born girl. He was on leave then.

→ 7 May 1865 - 2nd Lt. John H Adams was in Fort Kyle, Harris County.
→ Surrendered by E Kirby Smith 2 June 1865, Galveston, TX.

🔹 16 January 1867 - another son was born to Jon Hodby and Martha E Adams. They called him Samuel Womack.
🔹 Martha Jane was born in about 1870.

👉 18 July 1870 - Sub Division No. 20, Polk County, TX. John was a Country merchant, his real estate was worth $1000, and his personal estate value was given as $5000 (7).

More children were born to John and Martha:

🔹 21 March 1871 - Liddie Ann - died 7 May 1872,
🔹 12 April 1873 Jessie Lee Adams
🔹 29 August 1875 - Annie Laurie
🔹 25 December 1877 - Robert Swepton.

♦ 6 September 1878 - grief in the Family. Daughter Maggie Frances died. She lived 13 years 5 months and 5 days.

🏡 1 June 1880 - John H Adams (age 53 - dry goods merchant), Martha E (age 40), and children lived in Moscow, Polk, TX (8).

⚭ 3 November 1880 - 18-year-old daughter, Catherine Elisabeth married Mr. Samuel Parham Legett (9), born on 1 June 1859. S P Legett was a grocer. He was the son of John Wesley and Dorcas McGee Legett.

⚭ 15 December 1880 - 21-year-old William Edwin married Clisby Clementine Jones (10), born in June 1860, in Polk, TX. She was the daughter of Samuel Bethel Jones and Mary Ann Watts.

🔹 16 November 1881 - John and Martha's youngest son, Sidney Fox, was born.
The couple had one more baby who died in infancy. When it happened - I did not find any dates, regarding that (11).

⚭ 26 March 1884 - Martha Jane (Jennie) Adams married Joseph Cicero Jones in Nacogdoches, TX (12). Joe was her brother-in-law. he was born on 27 December 1865.

♦ 3 November 1884 - John's sister, Siddy Ann McBryde (who lived in macon County, Alabama), passed at the age of 59.

⚭ 11 January 1893 - 19-year-old Jessie Lee Adams married about 11-year older Donnies Ludville Jones (13) who was her brother-in-law. He was born on 18 August 1862, in Moscow, Polk,TX.

♦ 1 Nov 1893 - Mr. John Hobdy Adams died.

⚭ 10 May 1896 - 29-year-old Sam Womack married Dora C Rhodes (14), born on 6 March 1877, in Woodville, Tyler, TX. She was the daughter of Rev. Arnold Rhodes and Ruth Virginia McAlister.

👉 1900 - Mrs. Martha E Adams (age 53) lived with her two children Annie L (age 23, a dress maker) and Sidney F (age 18, a student) in Moscow, Precinct #3, Polk County, TX (15). 

⚭ 4 April 1906 - at the age of 24, Sidney F married Ms. Flavilla Hetherwick, born on 4 January 1882 (16). Flavilla passed at the age of 40, on 4 January 1922, giving birth to Sidney F. Jr.. In about 1925, Sid married Flavilla's sister, 46-year-old Theresa, born on 13 August 1878. 

👉 27 April - Martha E Womack Adams, John Hobdy's wife lived with her daughter Martha jane, her husband Joseph, and their seven children in Precinct#3, Polk County, TX (17).

♦ A few months later, on 20 December, Mrs. Martha E, Womack Adams, died (18).

Clipping source: West, W. L. The Polk County Enterprise (Livingston, Tex.), Vol. 8, No. 16, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 4, 1912, newspaper, January 4, 1912; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth660563/: accessed July 27, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Livingston Municipal Library.

Robert S Adams got married at the age of 45, in about 1923. His spouse was Maude M Herring Atkinson (19, 20).

John Hobdy's siter, Nancy Adams Usher, died near Legett, Polk County, TX, on ♦ 1 January 1924. The lady lived 94 years.

 

Sources:

"There never were such men before: the Civil War soldiers and veterans of Polk County, Texas, 1861-1865". Ruth Peebles, Livingston, TX, Polk County Historical Commission, 1987. 

findagrave.com,

familysearch.org

1. "Alabama County Marriages, 1809-1950", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2DQ-BZ8B : Mon Mar 04 23:47:17 UTC 2024), Entry for Nelson A Johnson and Nancy Adams, 29 Dec 1846.
2. "United States Census, 1850", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MH5S-1FT : Fri Mar 08 07:45:39 UTC 2024), Entry for Samuel G B Adams and John Adams, 1850.
3. "Alabama County Marriages, 1809-1950", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2DQ-B6YP : Tue Mar 05 07:05:26 UTC 2024), Entry for Robert Usher and Nancy Johnson, 04 Jul 1854.
4."Alabama Marriages, 1816-1957", , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FQK4-82T : 13 February 2020), John H. Adams, 1858.
5. "United States Census, 1860", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXFG-KX5 : Mon Jul 08 23:23:00 UTC 2024), Entry for John W Adams and Martha E Adams, 1860.
6. https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-soldiers-detail.htm?soldierId=BAB2C879-DC7A-DF11-BF36-B8AC6F5D926A
7. "United States Census, 1870", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXG4-ZLH : Tue Mar 05 12:41:30 UTC 2024), Entry for John H Adams and Martha E Adams, 1870.
8. "United States Census, 1880", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFJ4-9LZ : Sat Mar 09 02:11:15 UTC 2024), Entry for J.h. Adams and Martha E. Adams, 1880.
9. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK8B-ZYZN : Wed Jul 24 07:41:05 UTC 2024), Entry for Samuel P. Leggett and E. C. Adams, 03 Nov 1880.
10. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2MD-GSV : 22 January 2020), W. E. Adams, 1880.
11. findagrave.com
12. "Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-1965," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2ZY-TX8S : 22 July 2021), Joe C Jones and Jennie Adams, 26 Mar 1884; citing Marriage, citing Nacogdoches Land District, Texas, United States, Texas State Library, Archives Division, and various Texas county clerks; FHL microfilm 25,312.
13. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK8B-Z1GZ : Fri Mar 08 04:56:27 UTC 2024), Entry for D.l. Jones and Jessie Adams, 11 Jan 1893.
14. "Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-1965," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2ZB-9QPP : 28 November 2018), Sam W Adams and Dora C Rhodes, 10 May 1896; citing Marriage, citing Tyler, Texas, United States, Texas State Library, Archives Division, and various Texas county clerks; FHL microfilm 1,006,071.
15. "United States Census, 1900", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M35M-ZXJ : Wed Jul 17 16:41:02 UTC 2024), Entry for Martha E Adams and Annie L Adams, 1900.
16. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FXMT-6YH : Wed Mar 20 10:49:40 UTC 2024), Entry for Sid T. Adams and Flavilla Hetherwick, 04 Apr 1906.
17. "United States Census, 1900", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M35M-ZXJ : Wed Jul 17 16:41:02 UTC 2024), Entry for Martha E Adams and Annie L Adams, 1900.
18. "Find a Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVKH-8NL9 : 10 September 2021), Martha Elizabeth Womack Adams, ; Burial, Moscow, Polk, Texas, United States of America, Moscow Cemetery; citing record ID 35614936, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.
19. "United States Census, 1930", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HN21-XW2 : Sat Mar 09 06:58:12 UTC 2024), Entry for Robert S Adams and Maud M Adams, 1930.
20. Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK8B-ZNKT : Thu Jul 18 02:47:09 UTC 2024), Entry for R. E. Atkinson and Maud Herring, 18 May 1904.

Photos: 12,14 August 2020

"V" for Vereins-Kirche

 

The building of Vereins-Kirche (Society Church) is the unofficial symbol of the town. It was the very first local church, built in 1847 by the settlers who came from Europe to the Fredericksburg area. The church was shared for worship services by all the local religious groups and was the school building as well.

Originally, the top of the roof was decorated with a rooster-shaped weather vane,  which was replaced with a cross when the lightning (in 1862) destroyed the prior installation.

The time seriously damaged the earliest wooden structure of the building. In 1934, the newly organized Gillespie County Historical Society decided to reconstruct the building. Among others, the construction was given new stone walls (instead of the wooden ones) - the restoration works took 2 years.

Since then, the old church building was used by the City Council for various purposes. Nowadays, it is part of the Pioneer Museum and a well-known and liked town landmark.

 Recently, the cloudy sky has brought a bit lower temperatures and relief from the summer heat.

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"My Texas Alphabet" is quite a personal summary of our hitherto life in Texas. More series entries here.

One of my latest creations - Vereins-Kirche inspired hand painted T shirt.

 

Old Poster & Synchronicities

Synchronicities happen to us quite often. Here is one of them.

A couple of days ago, I came across this poster while looking through my files archive. I made it about 10 years ago, before I changed the name of my blog. Needless to say, I had totally forgotten about that work. I had not forgotten my motto included in the poster, though.

Yesterday, in a movie we watched, one of the characters stated that the most human part of us is hope.

Positivity and hope do go together.

 

 

How Old Are You?

The message found in a fortune cookie:

"No one grows old by living, only in losing interest in living."

has made me think of a friend of mine. She often tends to say that she and her husband should not do this or that, "because we are not the youngest, you know." The lady is only a few months older than I am.

In my opinion, finding life as an extreme sport and giving up doing things means being old in spirit. Obviously, during all those years when we get more mature, our interests change and, even at a younger age, we also adjust things we do to our possibilities. However, one's attitude makes them actually older than their body/calendar age is. There are always things we can do, new things we can learn. Regardless the numbers (our age).

And how old are you (in spirit)? 

Photo: My latest creation - I got that shirt as a gift. Its dark color did not suit me so I made it a bit more colorful.

About Manners

Today a few words about something totally different.

Picture yourself a situation.
You and your spouse are invited to somebody's home. The lady host treats you two with sodas.
After a while, she asks, "Would you like something else to drink?"
Her partner replies, "Let's have some of that expensive wine".
The lady pours the wine into two glasses, gives one to her partner. They both are enjoying the expensive wine.
You and your spouse are not offered the wine/not asked whether you would like to drink it too.

How about that?

 

PS

A similar situation happened to us three times at the very home.

By the way, if it matters, the hosts originally are not from Texas.

 

From Bandera, TX

Polish heritage items at the Frontier Times Museum in Bandera, TX. No wonder, there were many Polish pioneer families in that region of Texas.

 

The picture on display is the Holy Mother of Częstochowa, not sure what the wooden items are. Perhaps one of them is part of a butter dish (churn)?

 

I left a similar set of wooden Easter eggs in Poland. I also had one with yellow and one with red background.

 

When I was in kindergarten, before Easter, we decorated egg shells with straps of fabrics (glued on the shell). Both the egg yolk and white had been blown out prior to the decorating process.

 

P for Poznań Old Market Square

 

Have you ever been to Poznań?

Another letter in "My Polish Alphabet" is "P" and it stands for Poznań Old Market Square.

 

Poznań is one of the oldest cities in Poland. I have visited it many times, but never cared much for the rest, meaning the more modern part of the city. 

The beginnings of Poznań date back to the 9th century, however, even much earlier settlements were discovered in that area (from 8,000 BC).

The old town was built in 1253, when Poznań was granted city rights. I love the atmosphere of the place. Every day at 12 noon, you can watch the two billy goats on the clock tower butting their heads. 

12 o'clock noon - the show starts

 

The place is totally different from the rest of Poznań (which is just like any other big city - loud and busy). The old market square has a totally different atmosphere. 

 

Apollo fountain

 

There are four fountains on the Market Square. The Apollo fountain (the basin part) is made of sandstone. The statue of Apollo is a bronze figure.

 

Sometimes, while visiting the place, you may have an unexpected encounter. See the reenactment group below, the old pranger column in the background.

 

In medieval ages, the pranger was a place of torture and humiliation - a person was stuck to it and "treated" by an executioner. The original pranger column has been stored in a local museum, the current one, topped with a statue of a torturer, is its modern replacement.

Besides the old city council building and the clock tower, the old town section also has a residential area, with its old houses and a network of streets.

The building at the end of the street, above, is the Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Saints Mary Magdalene and Stanislaus of Szczepanów, commonly known as the Poznań Fara. It was built in the 17th century - very pretty and elaborate decorations inside.

If you are a fan of archeology, you can also visit a nearby museum.

If you get tired walking around, you can rest in one of the market square cafes, remember to try the original pastry of Poznań - St. Martin's croissants (rogale marcińskie). The croissants are big and sweet, I could not manage to eat one. 

St Martin's croissants

The tradition of making them dates back to the end of 19th century. About the 11th November, the parish priest of St. Martin's church asked the parish people to do something for the poor. One of the local pastry makers made three baking sheets of the sweet croissants and brought them to the church area. Every year, more and more bakers joined him and the tradition developed. 

 

These days you can buy St. Martin's pastry in Poznań all year round. The most is sold and eaten on 11 November, St Martin's day.

Credits: Photo of croissants: By Rzuwig - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=64033312

Iron Woman

A chemist's type joke recently found on Facebook:

Iron man = Fe-male

If you are not familiar with chemical symbols,  Fe=iron in Chemistry. Well, I find the wordplay funny, but I guess not everybody does. Anyhow, I join the Iron Woman club quite frequently - almost every week, when I do the ironing. What fun!

Any other Iron Woman club members here?

 

Well, some people do battle reenactments, I do the ancient art of ironing.