Napoleon Bonaparte & Charlotte Breeding + Family

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 son 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 e 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.

TBC

Sources:

"Daugthers of Republic of Texas. Patriot Ancestor " Album vol.1 - Turner Publishing Company, 1995

• Fayette County Founders

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.

V-J Day at Local Museum

on 2 September, we attended a very interesting V-J Day Commemorative Event at the local museum - National Museum of the Pacific War. We were glad we had found out about it and were able to participate.

With the buffet treats and drinks, in a way, it was as if we had celebrated the end of the war 80 years ago (considering that, according to quantum physics, past, presence, and future happen at the same time, now).

The program of the commemoration, with the national Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance was quite patriotic.

The presence of the two WWII made it all quite special.

From the right (in white shirts) - Mr. Donald Graves and Mr. Ken Jones (USS Colorado veteran).

Introduction by Mr. David Shields, the Museum Director,

was followed by the lecture delivered by Mr. Jonathan Parshall.

During the event, I thought about my grandfather Józef, who was a POW and then a labor camp for five years of WW2.

We were honored to meet Mr. Donald Graves - Iwo Jima survivor.

Corporal Graves was a flamethrower of the 5th Marine Division, 28th Regiment, 2nd Battalion Dog Company. He was 17 when he joined the US Marine Corps in 1942.

An expected survival time of a flamethrower at Iwo Jima was 4 minutes. Miraculously, Mr. Graves lived through the battle with no harm to his body. You can learn more about the man from the interview with Mr. Graves: https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=N6naKvmyWAw

PS

Listening to the lecture mentioned above, I realized that at the history classes I had attended in my childhood (Easter European block), it was never mentioned  the Soviet entered Japan after the A bombs were dropped on the country by the US. I thought I might be wrong so asked my sister about that. She confirmed that she had not been taught about that either.

Fort McKavett

Fort McKavett, built 150 years ago, is one of the most preserved military posts from the old days.

It was quite windy there on the day when we visited the site, and no other visitors besides us.

We were paid our solder's salary - the "money" came from the old safe box.

We spent part of our earnings in the casino. It was interesting to play the Faro game and break the bank, as well. I guess, I have played it in my previous life. The game dates back to 17th century, so who knows...

As you can see in one of the above photos, we spent our winnings at an inn, despite the innkeeper's effort - he tried to convert us to follow the temperance movement and even sang us a proper song.

Finally, we gave him all our casino money and kept on sightseeing.

While visiting the site, we came across an arrowhead diary. Do you know that some arrowheads, spearheads, and knives found in the Hill Country area date back even up to 7,500 - 10,000 BC. It is hard to comprehend how old some of them are.

It was quite sad that we were the only visitors at the place. You need to make a special effort to get there - it is situated rather far from a main road, nearest town.

More about Fort McKavett on their webstite.

Photos: June 2025

W for Wojtek

 

In "My Polish Alphabet", the letter "W" is for Wojtek [voyteck].

• Who was Wojtek?

He was a soldier who served in the Polish Army during WW2.

 

• Why was Wojtek special/ different from other Polish soldiers?

He was a black bear who was part of the band of soldiers - he enjoyed companionship, smoking, drinking beer, but he also carried ammunition at Monte Cassino. For his achievements, Wojtek was commissioned to the rank of corporal. The bear was honorably discharged at the end of the war and lived in a zoo in Scotland afterwards.

More about Wojtek here:

BBC documentary

shorter version

Song tribute to Wojtek

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"My Polish Alphabet" is about things, places, and people that come to my mind when I think about Poland.

I for (Texas) Independence Day

 

Texas Declaration of Independence was signed on March 02, 1836.

The Texas Independence Day is observed annually in Luckenbach, TX. The ceremony is Texas Patriotic and quite uplifting.

 It all starts with the Texas song and clapping.

Then comes the hymn.

The first responders, Texas Rangers, the military, Border Patrol, and teachers are appreciated. 

 

 

Next, the history part comes - the Alamo is mentioned of course.

 

Every year, among others, an old Texas flag is taken down and retired in a very solemn mode. It is followed by putting up a new flag. 

 

 

There is also Pistol Packing' Paula, presenting her skills.

More about the Texas Declaration of Independence - History Facts: HERE.

I for Insurgent and U for Uprising

 

As for the Insurgent - I mean the monument to the Little Insurgent dedicated to the children who fought in the Warsaw Uprising that took place in 1944.

To make the story short - the young and younger citizens of Warsaw, then occupied by Nazis, organized an armed action against the occupants. 

The monument to the Warsaw Uprising/Warsaw Insurgents

Since at that time, the Russian Army was stationed on the other bank of the Vistula River, the young Insurgents believed the Russians would support their fight and help them liberate the city. 

 

The uprising started on 1 August and lasted for 63 days, the Russian Army did not take any action and did not support the Insurgents. Sadly, the Warsaw WWII revolt brought tragic results. 

 

During the fights, about 200,000 citizens of Warsaw lost their lives. In the aftermath, Nazi planes destroyed/flattened the city, and its 700,000 inhabitants were expelled from Warsaw.

 

More info about the Warsaw Uprising

• The Warsaw Uprising - Holocaust Encyclopedia
• Wikipedia 

Available on YouTube:

• Documentary about the Warsaw Uprising 
•  Polish drama made in 1957 (with English subtitles): "Sewer" - about the Uprising and Insurgents
  

Available on Tubi:

• Documentary
• Movie: Battle for Warsaw

On a cool July day (the temperatures in the 60s), we thought about it all while visiting Warsaw and watching the monuments.

The letter P with an anchor at its bottom was the symbol of the WWII Polish Underground State and the Home Army. The anchor = letter W. Both P make W (in Polish) are the acronym meaning "fighting Poland". It was also the symbol of the Warsaw Uprising.

Glory to the fallen Heroes!

N for Nimitz Museum

 

Time for another entry in "My Texas Alphabet". In its second edition, the letter "N" is also for the National Museum of War on the Pacific (in other words, the Nimitz Museum).

We visited the museum on our wedding day, years ago. A weird thing to do on such a day? Not at all. Well, unusual, maybe.

from Pacific Combat Zone

Anyhow, at that time, the outside backyard area was part of the exhibition as well. You could visit the field hospital and, among others, see Japanese tanks in the Pacific Combat Zone area. Tickets were valid for 24 hours so we could watch the vast museum exhibition with no hurry.

Since then, we have come back to the Nimitz Museum many times. Some things have changed there. The reenactment theater was built in the backyard. Walking and sightseeing in that section is no longer possible, and a ticket is only good on the day of your visit.

Besides the permanent exposition, the museum offers many educational programs. 

 

One can learn a lot by attending the Outpost events, Campaign Briefings, taking part in Symposiums, and numerous various other events organized there. 

Veterans Day observance at the museum

 

Art lovers can also enjoy temporary art gallery presentations.

 

 

Have you ever been to the museum? It is worth visiting for sure.

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Other posts on the blog related to the Nimitz Museum:

Fredericksburg - National Museum of War on the Pacific

Presentation at National Museum of War on the Pacific

Jazz Band in Gazebo

Women in Uniforms

Museum Stories