Since I lived by the sea for a few decades, the Navy is the military formation which has always been closet to my heart.
The uniforms of the Polish Navy are always of the navy blue color + black shoes, not white as in the US.
During various kind of the Polish Armed Forces parades it was the "sailors" units that caught my attention the most.
I was so very used to their presence in the area where I lived, and the sight of a Navy officer and/or a regular Navy service person was quite a frequent and usual experience, part of life at the seashore. You could see those men and women on the city streets and on TV all the time.
There is Naval Academy in my home city in Poland. The academy is over 100 years old. Its motto is "Amor patriae suprema lex"/ "Love of the fatherland is the supreme law".
Another thing is the patriotic part. On All Souls' Day, we always lit lanterns at the monument dedicated to defenders the Polish shore at the WW2 time. It is a pity I do not have a photo of that monument taken on November 1. It was always surrounded by the light of dozens of lanterns.
Monument to the Polish Sailor in Kosciuszki Square, Gdynia
The monument dedicated to the Polish Sailor is a location where patriotic ceremonies take place at various occasions including the Polish Army Day on 15th August.
When I was younger, everybody who lived in our region, knew the song "Sea, our sea" know also as "Although each of us is young". It was the school song of quite a few elementaries but not only. The song was commonly sang by scouts among others. It is one of the tunes played most often by the Polish Naval Forces Representative Orchestra.
The song was written in the 1920s/30s by captain Adam Kowalski at the beginnings of the Polish Navy and the naval port/ city of Gdynia.
Loose translation of the first part of the song main part:
Although each of us is young, we are called old salty seadogs.
We, the guardians of Polish waters, Polish sailors we are.
Ref. Sea, our sea, we will guard you faithfully.
We have orders to hold you, or at the bottom, at your bottom fall,
or at the bottom with honor fall.
No force, no storm, will take Gdynia from us.
Our fleet, though not big, faithfully guards the port gates.
Sea, our sea, we will guard you faithfully.
We have orders to hold you, or at the bottom, at your bottom fall,
or at the bottom with honor fall.
---
Photos taken at the Naval Academy and Kosciuszki Square in Gdynia (2008).
Not long ago, I relistened to the old “Tom Dooley” song. Since I like it, I used it during our line dance class. Surprisingly, one of the ladies (of my generation, born and raised in the US) had never heard the song and its title.
I came across “The Legend of Tom Dooley” movie made in 1959. Michael London, who played the part of Tom Dooley, was so young then. I do not know whether I had seen the actor in any other show made at the beginning of his career.
Anyhow, some parts of the movie plot did not make sense at all so I decided to find out more about the tragic main character. I guess, Thomas Dula (as his original name was) wants to be remembered, too.
Thomas Caleb Dula was born in Wilkes, North Carolina, on 22 June 1845. His parents were Thomas P. Dula (born in about 1794, in Wilkes County, NC) and Mary Keeton (born in about 1800, in Patrick County, Virginia). Mr. Thomas P. Dula was the grandson of Robert Dulin of the English descent, who emigrated from Ireland/England to Essex, Virginia, Colonial America.
Thomas Caleb was the youngest son of his parents. Tom’s younger siblings were Anna Evelyn (born 1825), Selina (born in 1830), John (born about 1834), Lenny (born about 1838), Louisa (born in 1838), and Elisa (born in about 1844).
Mr. Thomas P. Dula, the head of the family, passed on 10 November 1854. The land that belonged to the man was granted to his wife (1).
Young Tom got romantically involved with his cousin Ann (Angeline) Pauline Triplett Foster. She was born on 8 May 1843. Her mother was Charlotte Triplett Foster (born 1818), daughter of Thomas Bell Foster. Ann’s father was John Foster (born in 1793).
Ann married James Gabriel Melton on 22 June 1859 (2). He was born in May 1838. The man was a well established farmer and shoemaker.
Census, 24 August 1860 (3), Thomas (age 15) lived in Wilkes County, NC, Post Office Elkvill, with his mother (age 60), brother John (age 26), and sister Louiza (age 22). The mother, ran a farm with the help of her children.
James Gabriel Melton enlisted into the CA on 12 June 1861. He served with Company C, 26th Regiment, North Carolina Infantry (4).
He was wounded at Gettysburg and then again, 2 years later, at Hatcher’s Run. James was taken a prisoner of war when he was in hospital in Richmond. Then he was sent to the camp at Point Lookout, released on 26 June 1865, after signing the oath of allegiance (5).
Young Thomas joined the CA on 15 March 1862 and served in Company K, 42nd Regiment North Carolina Infantry (6).
In 1864, Thomas was wounded and taken care of at the Church Hospital in Williamson, Virginia. Later, the man was captured and was a prisoner of war in Port Lookout Maryland. Tom Dula was released on 11 June 1865.
Thomas was the only son of Mary Dula who came back home alive from the war. Two of his brothers were killed during the war. Thomas’ family home was in Wilkes County. Soon after coming back from the war, he restarted his relationship with Ann Melton.
The man was also intimately involved with some other women including Ann’s cousins, Pauline and Laura.
Laura (born in 1843) was the daughter of Wilson Foster (born in 1811), the brother of Charlotte Foster, who was Anne’s mother. Laura’s mother was Martha Bowman, who died in about 1863. The girl lived with her father Wilson Foster in Caldwell County, NC.
Pauline was born in 1843 to Ann Carlotta Church and Levi Leander Foster. One researcher suggests that Levi was an illegitimate son of John Dula and Mary Foster, the daughter of Robert Foster, brother of Wilson and Charlotte. John Dula (born in about 1800) was a younger brother of Thomas P. Dula, Thomas Dula’s father. In that way, Angeline (Ann), Laura, Pauline, and Thomas were quite closely related.
Pauline, invited by Ann Melton, lived at the Melton’s home and worked at James’ farm as a hire hand.
It is said that Laura got pregnant by Tom. She was stabbed with a knife on 28 May 1866, in Caldwell, NC. Her body was found about six weeks later. Thomas and Ann was arrested and accused of killing Laura. The trial was moved from Caldwell to Iredell County. It started in 19 October 1866.
I have read the transcription of the trial (7).
From the testimonies of the witnesses – it was common knowledge that James Melton did not share the bedroom with his wife Ann. It was also known that Thomas was at the house almost every day, and, occasionally, spent the night there. At such occasions, he first would have laid down where James Melton slept. Later, Thomas slipped to Ann’s bed (from Pauline Foster’s testimony).
Another fact used against Tom was what he had said to R. D. Hall. According to that witness, Thomas expressed, he would “put through” the girl who gave him syphilis. Thomas also told Doctor Carter it was Laura who had diseased him.
Pauline Foster testified, she had syphilis which she contracted at "Watangoo" (Watauga?) County. Before she came to live with the Meltons. She said she worked at their farm to earn money for the medicine to cure the disease. According to Pauline, Ann Melton encouraged her to have sex with Tom and insisted on that, so it happened. Pauline was the one who spread the disease on the other parties involved in their intimate relationship. Pauline had seen Ann in bed with Thomas. Colonel Isbell testified that it was common knowledge that “Ann Melton indulged in illicit intercourse with others besides the prisoner (Thomas Dula)”.
Laura’s father Wilson Foster was one of the witnesses at the trial. He testified that Laura left the family home, took her clothes, and the father’s mare.
Mrs. Betty Scott met Laura on Friday morning, when the latter was riding to the place where she was to meet with Tom. According to Laura, the two were to elope together. The ladies talked for a short while, Laura told Mrs. Scott what she was doing and where she was to meet Thomas.
Pauline Foster testified that on that same Friday she saw Thomas Dula at James Melton’s house.
The rumor was, Ann stabbed Laura when she was sitting at Tom’s lap. It could have meant Ann went to the place where Laura and Tom meant to meet.
Ann’s mother, Ms. Lotty Foster testified, Tom borrowed a “Mattach” from her on Thursday, before the day of Laura’s disappearance. The man was later seen, on the same day, by Martha Gilbert. Thomas was then working on the road, as he said ”making it wider so that he could go along at night.” I checked what the “Mattach” mentioned by the witnesses was. It was a tool called a mattock.
Laura’s body was found four to six weeks after she left her father’s house. Her grave was in a thicket ridge. The lady's body was decomposed, with no flesh on her face. She was recognized by the features of her teeth and her garments. The grave was not far from a river. Colonel Isbell testified, there were traces of a “Mattach” at Laura’s grave.
It was taken into consideration that Thomas possibly helped Ann to bury Laura’s body. It was mentioned (by Pauline Foster) during the trial that Ann put a knife under her bed.
After that, Thomas went to Tennessee, where he was later arrested.
Pauline Foster was detained after she made comments ( in front of two men) on Dula’s involvement in killing Laura.
Pauline and Mrs. James Scott testified on Ann’s violent behavior towards Pauline, after the latter had made comments on Thomas Dula being the one who murdered Laura. Ann attacked Pauline (at Mrs. Scott’s place) with a club, used aggressive language, and started choking Pauline, as well. Later, Ann Melton came back to Mrs. Scott’s house, threatened her and made Mrs. Scott swear she would say nothing to nobody about the entire incident. Pauline claimed, she learned from Thoams Dula that Ann Melton was jealous of her. The lady also said to Ann in the presence of Mrs. Scott “(…) You are as deep in the mud as I am in this mess.”
According to Washington Anderson’s testimony, who served with Thomas Dula in the same regiment and company, the Thomas was of good, peaceable, and honest character.
All the evidence was circumstantial and nothing was proved. Thomas claimed he was not guilty of murdering Laura. He was found guilty, though. He was a poor man and could not afford a good lawyer.
Thomas appealed to the Supreme Court of North Carolina. In the result of the following retrial, he was found guilty again. Thomas Dula was hanged on 1 May 1868 at 2:17 PM.
After his death, on 8th May, the “Salisbury Watchman”, a local newspaper, published a note regarding Thomas’ hanging. It included a statement allegedly signed by Dula. In that piece, he took the blame for murdering Laura Foster. One can only wonder whether the statement and the signature were legitimate and true. Based on that, Ann Melton was released from prison (in which she had spent two years) when her trial started later. Allegedly, a juror said “she was too pretty to hang”.
Ann Pauline Foster Melton died at the of about 31, in 1874, possibly of advanced venereal disease.
James Gilbert Melton remarried on 28 January 1875. His second wife was Luisa Gilbert, born on 3 November 1841, in Wilkes NC (8).
Pauline “Perline” Foster (whose first name was also Ann) passed in about 1890.
Well, quite a tragic story. May they all rest in peace.
1."North Carolina, Estate Files, 1663-1979", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJDF-C5JG : Sat Mar 09 11:48:45 UTC 2024), Entry for Thomas P Dula, 1855.
2."North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-2011 ", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XFS7-5J6 : Sat Mar 09 18:39:58 UTC 2024), Entry for James Milton and Anny Foster, 22 Jun 1859.
3."United States, Census, 1860", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MD63-2WC : Mon Jul 08 16:48:09 UTC 2024), Entry for Mary Dula and John Dula, 1860.
4."United States, Civil War Soldiers Index, 1861-1865", FamilySearch https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-soldiers-detail.htm?soldierId=C01939BA-DC7A-DF11-BF36-B8AC6F5D926A
7.“Tom Dula Case 1866-68. Insight: The Tom Dooley Story from Thomas Dula Papers 1866-1868. Private Collection 1272.1”
8."North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-2011 ", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKJ7-MJN3 : Sun Mar 10 18:35:49 UTC 2024), Entry for James Milton and Louise Gilbert, 28 Jan 1875.
Sometimes, we happen to encounter people whose words/behavior are impolite, or who treat us unfairly. Sometimes, they surprise us with their opinion about us, based on a gossip, or their own assumption that is more than wrong. Other time, they stun us with some senseless, out of the blue demands, or claim our achievement as their own.
Have you ever experienced any of those, as well?
In most cases, such persons neither care how we feel about what they say, nor how they present it. When we digest that particular unpleasant situation, reliving it in our mind a million times, they have already forgotten about the entire incident. They just threw their low frequency on us and moved on. Negative emotions affect our mind and, when accumulated, destroy our body. That is why, there is no point on dwelling on their words/actions. It only hurts us as we get tangled in their negative energy, and gives them power over ourselves. The experience itself is unpleasant and unnerving, but you can choose how you react to it. Do you really need to stay entrapped by somebody else’s low vibes? No, you do not.
Therefore, after initial irritation (when it occurs), make an effort to step back, and look at those people, and it all, from a distance. Bullies are just being what they are. They have not learned better, yet. Quite likely, they reflect on others their own fears and their own negative vision of themselves. What those people do not realize - thoughts and words are energy, they carry specific vibrations. Hatred spread on others, resonates like echo, coming back to its source, the person who produces it. The negative load eventually gets them, influencing their life, as well.
In that understanding, the saying “God bless them as they do not know what they are doing” may help you detach yourself from the low frequency they make you feel.
Whenever such a person comes back to your mind, send them that thought, or another one, such as e.g. “God loves them and cares for them”*. It will help break the negative entanglement and set your mind free. Moreover, the higher vibration sent by you, may give that particular individual a chance to use it for their own development, if they choose to.
Nothing is accidental. Everyone whom we meet in our life is a learning opportunity. Whether we decide to learn from that is another matter.
After all, each of us is just another souls trapped in the physical reality of our body, struggling with learning earthly life lessons so no reason to be unkind.
A lady I know, when I tell her about something I find positive, she usually responds in a way that sometimes makes me feel less excited about what I intend to share.
Examples:
Myself: ”I’ve had a nice walk in the woods”.
The lady: “There must have been a lot of ticks (which could bite you and give you terrible disease).”
Or
Myself: “What a nice building!”
The lady: “Its windows are dirty”.
I have known that person long enough to know her reaction is subconscious. She does not say that on purpose, to spoil the mood. Her words do, though.
Everything is subjective. The way we see the world is based on our beliefs and prior experiences. Our attention is directed also by habitual thinking.
Are you like that lady? Exercise your mind. While looking at the reality around you – people and things – notice the positive aspects of them, the nice side and beauty of what you are looking at, not the ugliness only. It is not about fooling yourself and calling negativity positive. What is negative is still negative, no matter what we call it. It is about changing our perspective and, what is more, the law of attraction. What you focus on, intensifies in your life.
After some time of such a directed exercise, your attention will become moderated and automatically focus on the brighter side of life (although the latter reminded me of the old song by Monty Python, I am sharing a different song here).
Find inner peace, find things you enjoy doing. Be yourself and be joyful. Despite what other people say or think.
---
* From Dr. Joseph Murphy, the author of “The Power of Subconscious Mind” and quite a few other books.
Benjamin Wilkens Breeding, Napoleon's brother, and his nephews David S., Benjamin, and Columbus Patton Breeding served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. Benjamin W. was with Company E, 15th Regiment of Texas Cavalry and Company G, 26th Regiment, Texas Cavalry (Debray’s /Davis' Mounted Battalion).
David also served with Company I, 24th/25th Consolidated Regiment, Texas Cavalry, and Company G, 26th Regiment, Texas Cavalry (Debray's) (Davis' Mounted Battalion) (16).
David, son of Napoleon's married Eliza F. Bell on 27 January 1867 in Fayette County, TX (17). She was born in 1850, in Fayette County, her parents were Granville P. Bell and Mary Ann Sutton.
Cornelia, the youngest daughter of Napoleon and Charlotte’s got married twice. Her first husband was James Sidney Black – their marriage took place on 26 January 1867 (18).
Later, she married Dawson N Hodges (born on 25 June 1848, in Gonzales, TX, to Thomas Robert Hodges and Nancy S. Reed) on 30 November 1876 (19).
Richard Landy, Napoleon’s brother, lived nearby their father’s household (which he also owned) until 1877. Then he moved to Hays County and sold the father’s home in December of that year.
Eliza F. Bell Breeding, David’s wife had passed by 8th June 1880. David lived then in Precinct # 3 of Gonzales County (20), together with his son by Eliza, Charles A (age 7) and brother Alexander Breeding (age 32). Cornelia, their sister, lived in the neighborhood with her husband Dawson (age 31), his father Andrew J Hodges (farmer, age 52), and her youngest child Eugenia (age 1).
On 13 July 1882, David S. Breeding remarried. His second spouse was Mattie M. Neal, a widow, born in 1842, in Gonzales, TX (21).
Charlotte Breeding, Napoleon's wife, passed on 20 August 1902.
17. "Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-2010", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV14-WD45 : Tue Jan 21 16:41:52 UTC 2025), Entry for D S Breeding and Eliza F Bell, 27 Jan 1869.
18. "Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-2010", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV14-W69B : Tue Jan 21 11:23:00 UTC 2025), Entry for James Sidney Black and Cornelius M Bruding, 26 Jan 1867.
19. "Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-2010", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV14-PV5V : Sun Mar 10 02:49:25 UTC 2024), Entry for Dawson N Hodges and Neeley Black, 30 Nov 1876.
20. "United States, Census, 1880", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFND-FL7 : Tue Jan 14 21:33:38 UTC 2025), Entry for David S. Breeding and Charles A. Breeding, 1880.
21. "Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-2010", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV14-P2SS : Tue Jan 14 08:57:19 UTC 2025), Entry for D S Breeding and Mattie M Neel, 12 Jul 1882.
Once upon time, more than a decade ago, I stepped into a little store with “esoteric” type goods. I had never visited it before. The lady who ran the establishment asked me to think of a question/something I wanted to know and next, draw a card from a Tarot card set. She offered that to every customer who came to her place, to read the Tarot message for that particular person. I told the lady that I did not need that as that was how I felt about it.
The store keeper insisted – she wanted to learn why I said so. So I did draw a card. The message was: “All the answers are within you”. It was no surprise to me and that was exactly what I thought rejecting the lady’s initial card reading offer. However, the store keeper seemed rather amazed. She said nobody else had drawn that card before. Perhaps not enough persons had come to the place? Who knows.
I do believe that the answers we seek are within us and, surely, I do not mean here the questions related to General Knowledge. That is a totally different matter.
Many people look for the fulfillment and comfort in the outside world only. Whatever they find there, though is temporary and fades away quite quickly. Thus, they need to be constantly surrounded by people and/or make another purchase again, and again, to keep the fulfillment flowing. It is like pouring water into void, a closed circle that never ends.
If you cannot find what you seek out there, perhaps it is time to look within?
It is quite common we choose to blame others for our failures and unsuccessful life. How convenient it is, blaming others and not taking any responsibility for our own life. Does it help us improve anything, though?
I used to know a lady who had a good job but was not happy with her life. She found it boring and she blamed her parents and her social background for her situation. Whenever I met her, she kept saying she would like to learn a foreign language, join this and that club so that her life could be more interesting and exciting. The time was passing and she did nothing regarding what she was talking about. I came to a conclusion that she enjoyed it all - that narrative, blaming others and using it as an excuse for her own inertia. It grew so old that I stopped meeting her.
Stop self-pitying. It does not improve anything and leads to nowhere. If you wish to change something in your life, act on it. If one direction does not work, try another one.
Another acquaintance once said,
“I have been messed up because my father was …. (put an adjective or a noun of a negative meaning here).”
When we were children we could not do much about our life circumstances, I agree to that. Nonetheless, what if those conditions were given to us not as punishment but as a learning lesson? To learn from them, draw conclusions, and move on?
We are not our parents, you are not your mother, father. You are YOU so be yourself. Each of us is responsible for our own beliefs, thoughts, and emotions. They all carry positive or negative energy, depending on what our beliefs/thoughts are. If you believe you are nothing more than a product of other people’s actions and situations created by them, you are like a steerless boat thrown by the winds and storms of life from one side of the ocean to the other.
Be your life Captain, bless the ones who you think have harmed you or influenced your life in a negative way. Let them go. Clinging to dark feelings/memories of traumatic moments/the past/ holds you back. Sending those people negative thoughts is hurting you mentally and physically, not them. Do you really need that? Whatever was, was. Everything has a reason and nothing happens by accident. What we do and how we deal with it is another matter.
It is quite common that when a person happens to make a mistake, they say, “How stupid of me/ how clumsy I am” Are you such a person? Saying so, you express your negative belief about yourself and put yourself in a negative judgment frame. Why should you do that? Everybody makes mistakes, it is part of our lives. However, if you do not believe you are good enough who else will? Nobody.
Look at every moment and other people who surround you as part of life learning process. Somebody claims you will not succeed or are not smart enough? Why should you care? Perhaps they project their own anxiety on you. They are NOT you. If you believe them, you let them lead your life. You are the Captain of your life, your thoughts and beliefs. However you direct them, you direct your reality, as well. Focus on the positive.
Yes, it is possible. Discipline your thoughts. Our mind constantly talks to us, brings doubts and all that gloomy and fatalistic visions which create fear. Mind that hurting others, even if in thoughts only, is a road to self-destruction. Send love to others as whatever we send ripples back to us. It is not fantasy. Remember Physics and “every action creates reaction”?
Let all the grudges and regrets go. The past is the past, gone, the future has not happened, yet. Choose love, peace, harmony and the good. Focus on the current moment. Replace fear with positive thoughts and keep repeating them again and again. Love, Peace, and Harmony. You can create your own positive mantra such as for example, “God loves me and looks after me.” It is all not about any religion. It is about the universal laws of life. Whatever you focus on in your thoughts will amplify in real. If the word “God” does not resonate with you, use another one e.g. the Source or the Ultimate Creator. The meaning stays the same: “the source of life and everything that is”.
Be the Captain of your mind, thoughts, and beliefs.
♦ 28 December 1843 – Napoleon’s father David W Breeding passed.
⚭14 March 1844 – Richard Landy, Napoleon's brother, married Miss Artimecia Ware, in Colorado, Texas (4). The lady was born on 17 November 1827, in Gwinnett, Georgia. She was the daughter of Thomas Ware and Phoebe Peeler, sister of Louisa, John’s wife. Richard Landy ran a mercantile business.
🔹Alexander was born to the couple in about 1846.
⇒ 1847 – Fidelio, Napoleon’s brother, sold his share of the father’s estate to brother Benjamin, and in 1848, served with the U.S. Army in the Mexican.
🔹Josephine came to this world in abt. 1848.
👉 1848 – Napoleon owned 1376 acres of land (value $1376) in Colorado County (5).
♦ 1849 – Napoleon’s brother Fidelio passed in San Antonio. Together with his brother Benjamin, the man was going to go to California to look for gold.
🔹Cornelia M was born on 9 September 1850.
👉 About 1850 – Charlotte’s brother Alfred left Texas. Alexander, the oldest brother of Charlotte’s came to Texas and settled with his family on the land that belonged to his mother Mary.
🏠 Census 1850 – 29 August – the family of Napoleon B. Breeding was recorded in Fayette County. Napoleon was a farmer. The value of his real estate was given as $2000. Mr. R Wilson, blacksmith, age 37, lived with the family (6).
Among the children registered by the clerk was also Mary Elizabeth, born on 20 January 1836, in Alabama. It seems, she was the first child of Charlotte’s, from her previous marriage to Mr. Temple (7).
⚭20 January 1853 – Mary Elizabeth married James L Harwell (8).
1853 – Benjamin paid taxes in Fayette County for 3 horses and 60 heads of cattle (9).
In about ♦ 1854 – Napoleon’s mother Sally died.
♦ 1 November 1856 – Charlotte’s brother Alexander left this world.
18 July 1859 - Sarah Jane, age about 17, married Mr. Sidney S. Pollard in La Grange, Fayette, TX (10). He was born in about 1834, in Gonzales County, TX to William Roy Pollard, Sr. and Elvira Smith Pollard.
♦ Daughter Josephine died by 1860.
🏡 Census 1860, 15th June – Napoleon (age 46), his wife Charlotte (age 40), and children, David (age 20), Benjamin (age 16), Alexander (age 14), and Cornelia (age 9) lived in Fayette County, TX, Post Office Fayetteville. Napoleon was a farmer. His real estate was worth $1000, and his personal estate value was estimated for $4000.
⇒ Napoleon’s brothers – John (age 52) and Benjamin Wilkens (age 40) lived with their families in the same area, not far from each other (11). John’s wife was Louisa (age 36), the children who lived with them were Columbus (age 16), Sarah (age 14), David (age 12), John (age 10), Thomas (age 8), Josephine (age 6), Arthie (age 3), and Robert (age 2). A Mr. W. J. Shakelford (age 25, born in Georgia), a superintendent, lived in the household as well. John’s real estate value given in the record was $5000 and the personal estate was worth $14000.
⇒ John was the County Sheriff until 1840. Following that, he took part in the three month-long campaign against Comanche Indians serving under Colonel John Henry Moore. John and Louisa Park Ware (born on 6 July 1824, born in Gwinnett, Georgia) were married on ⚭ 10 February 1842, in Colorado City, Mitchell, TX (12). John was 34 on the day of their marriage. Louisa was about 16 year younger.
⇒ Benjamin Wilkens fought in the Texas Revolution when he was 16. In 1840, together with Napoleon, he was part of the Comanche campaign. Two years later, Benjamin participated in the Vasquez and Woll Campaigns.
Benjamin Wilkens Breeding was 32 when he married Miss Catharine Mayhar on 2 February 1850, in Colorado, Texas (13).
From census 1860: Benjamin W.’s Catherine (age 26) and their kids (according to the 1860 record) were Don R (age 6), Ada (age 5), Fidelio (age 2), and Mary (3 months). Ben was a farmer as well. His real estate was worth $12000 and his personal estate value was given as $10000.
Clipping source:The True Issue. (La Grange, Tex.), Vol. 9, No. 41, Ed. 1 Saturday, July 23, 1859, newspaper, July 23, 1859; La Grange, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1294586/: accessed September 20, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Fayette Public Library, Museum and Archives.
👉 It seems by the end of 1660, Napoleon’s wife had been registered as the owner of their property as it was her name only that appeared in the County taxes records. Perhaps, Napoleon’s health deteriorated (?). Anyhow, by then, the number of their cattle had risen to 75 heads. They also had 5 horses (14).
♦ Napoleon Bonaparte (Pole) Breeding passed on 22 January 1861 (15).
4. "Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-2010", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV14-45M5 : Sun Jul 07 08:13:52 UTC 2024), Entry for Richard L Bruding and Artimecia Ware, 14 Mar 1844.
5. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJ8P-SWGV : Sat Mar 09 11:47:59 UTC 2024), Entry for Napoleon Breeding, 1848.
6. "United States, Census, 1850", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXLK-SCG : Wed Jan 22 11:54:19 UTC 2025), Entry for N B Breeding and Charlott Breeding, 1850.
7. Findagrave.com
8. "Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-2010", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV14-71LS : Fri Jul 12 01:51:14 UTC 2024), Entry for James L Harwell and Mary E Breeding, 20 Jan 1853.
9. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJ85-4QKS : Wed Mar 06 17:07:17 UTC 2024), Entry for Sharlotte Breeding, 1853.
10. "Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-2010", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV14-WZ7B : Fri Mar 08 06:08:33 UTC 2024), Entry for S S Pollard and Sarah J Breeding, 18 Jul 1859.
11. "United States, Census, 1860", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXFY-YLQ : Mon Jul 08 23:33:36 UTC 2024), Entry for N B Breeding and Sharlot Breeding, 1860.
12. "Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-2010", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV14-4XM5 : Thu Apr 17 16:44:28 UTC 2025), Entry for John Breeding and Louisa P Nare, 10 Feb 1842.
13. Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK8T-K53W : Wed Jul 10 10:55:55 UTC 2024), Entry for Benjamin W Breeding and Catharin Mayhar, 02 Feb 1852.
14. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJ85-4NK3 : Fri Mar 08 22:49:33 UTC 2024), Entry for Charlotte Breeding, 1860.
15. "Find a Grave Index", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVG4-4H4S : Mon Mar 17 22:59:06 UTC 2025), Entry for Napoleon Bonaparte Breeding.
The note you can read below was posted by the Expedition participants (including napoleon and his uncle Benjamin Wilkens) to clear misconceptions that arose around the Expedition purpose/circumstances.
Source:Cruger & Moore.Telegraph and Texas Register (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 8, No. 44, Ed. 1, Wednesday, October 18, 1843, newspaper, October 18, 1843; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth48256/: accessed September 12, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.
I learned about the couple from a history piece on the pavement when we visited La Grange, Fayette, Texas. I thought I would find out more about the couple. The research brought six pages of information related to Napoleon, Charlotte, and their relatives. I decided to break it into a series of posts, and here is the first one.
Napoleon Bonaparte Breeding came to this world in 1815, in Christian County, Kentucky. He was the third son of David W Breeding (born in 1776 in Virginia) and Sally Davis (born in abt. 1771 in Virginia).
His brothers were
John, born on 16 October 1807, in Virginia
Richard Landy, born on 15 October 1810 in Kentucky,
Fidelio Sharp, born in 1818 in Kentucky,
Benjamin Wilkens, born on 10 January 1820, in Kentucky,
and Davis, born/died in 1828, in Kentucky.
👉 Mr. David W Breeding his wife and five sons came to Texas in 1832/1833. Napoleon was about 18 then. The family found his home in Mina Municipality along Cummins Creek.
⇒ In the second half of the year 1833, Napoleon’s cousins joined the family in Texas. They were George W., Edward Judson, James, and Gustavus, the sons of John breeding and Elizabeth Russell. John Breeding, the brother of David W., passed on 16 July 1833, his wife Elizabeth died earlier, in about 1827.
The boys attended the only school in the area – run in a log cabin on the land that belonged to the breeding family.
👉 In December 1835, Napoleon Bonaparte Breeding was a second sergeant and, together with Thomas Alley’s Company, he fought in the siege of Bexar. Both Napoleon and his brother John served as Texas Rangers. Later, from 1835 to 1836, the man served in the Texas Army. At first, he was with Capt. William J. E. Heard’s company, however, due to an illness the man did not fight in the Battle of San Jacinto (*). John, his brother was ill then as well, they both stayed in the camp. In the next year, Napoleon was with Steven Thousand’s company.
⇒14 December 1837 – Fayette County was created. Mr. David breeding served on the first Board of the Land Commissioners and was a juror during the first session of the District Court.
Clipping source: Cruger & Moore.Telegraph and Texas Register (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 3, No. 1, Ed. 1, Saturday, December 16, 1837, newspaper, December 16, 1837; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth47965/: accessed September 12, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.
⇒ 1 January 1838 – John, Napoleon’s brother, was elected the first Fayette County Sheriff and soon received 1/3 league of land there.
⚭ On 19 January 1838, 23 year-old Napoleon B. Breeding married Miss Charlotte O’Bar (born on 7 May 1818, in Alabama). It happened in Fayette County, Texas. Their marriage was the first one recorded in the county (1). Charlotte was the daughter of John O’Bar (native of Ireland, born in 1778) and Mary E Reed (born in Virginia in 1782).
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John O’Bar, Charlotte's father, passed before 1837. In September 1837, Ms. Mary O’Bar came to Fayette County area, Texas with her children (Lucinda + husband Thomas Hodges, John + wife Nancy, Carson, Alfred, and Charlotte) and grandchildren.
Charlotte stayed at home with her mother Mary who was granted 1280 acres of land in Warrenton Community.
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⇒ In 1837, Richard Landy, Napoleon's brother, hauled lead for the government. On 2 February 1838, he received payment from the land Commissioners – 1/3 league of land in the Fayette County.
🔹1838 - on 5th August, Napoleon and Charlotte’s first son, David S. was born.
👉 22 October 1838 – Napoleon breeding served as a juror during the first session of the District Court. Later, he was also was part of the first Grand Jury.
👉 1838 – Napoleon paid taxes (2) in Colorado County for 1 horse (worth $40) and 7 heads of cattle (worth $100).
🔹Sarah Jane was born to Napoleon and Charlotte a year later, in 1839.
In the same year, Napoleon had 4 tracts of land in Fayette County (3).
Clipping source: Cruger & Moore.Telegraph and Texas Register (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 5, No. 7, Ed. 1, Wednesday, July 31, 1839, newspaper, July 31, 1839; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth48064/: accessed September 12, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.
♦ 1840 – Lucinda, Charlotte’s sister died.
♦ July 1842, her brother John passed.
🔹In 1843, the second son, Benjamin J. , was born to the family of Napoleon and Charlotte's.
1. "Texas, Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F6YT-RTG : 22 January 2020), Napoleon B. Breeding, 1838.
2. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJ8P-S3RM : Sun Mar 10 14:13:48 UTC 2024), Entry for Napolean B Breeding, 1838.
3. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJ85-WYZN : Sat Mar 09 09:51:28 UTC 2024), Entry for Napoleon B Breeding, 1839.
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This post is part of our series "They Lived in Texas" dedicated to those ones (their families and descendants) who at some point in their lives relocated to Texas/lived in Texas.
