Joseph G Goodbread

Joseph G Goodbread has waited long for the post dedicated to him. He was born in 1809, in North Carolina, to Philip R Goodbread and his first wife, whose name is unknown. Joseph’s great-grandfather Philippus Gutbrodt was born in 1725, in Wuertemberg and later, the man emigrated to North Carolina.

There are several land assessment Alabama records which mention Joseph G Goodbread. It was possible that it was ‘our’ Joseph as his family lived at that time in that state. 

31 August 1833, Joseph bought 39 acres for $1.25 in Chickasaw township area, Alabama (1).

On 24 November 1834, he purchased 52 acres in Chickasaw township area, Alabama. He payed $65 and received patent for the land on 27 September 1886 (2).

In 1837, Joseph married Miss Susan Johanna E Todd (born in about 1822 in Georgia). She was the daughter of William Henry Todd, Sr. and Martha "Patsey" Holder. Joseph and Susan had a daughter whom they called Mary, she was born in 1838.

Philip’s family came to Texas in 1838.

From July 9 to 10 August 1839, Joseph served with Captain Inman’s Harrison-Shelby County Volunteers, during the Cherokee War in Northeast Texas (3).

After the service, Joseph came back home to Shelby County. 

In that time, land certificates were issued in the Shelby County. They were signed by local Land Commissioners. Many important lawyers of the area, who signed the certificates, believed they were good and legitimate because they were issued by the Land Commissioner’s Office.

If I had bought such land grants then, most likely I would have believed they were legal. Probably Joseph did think so, as well as he used them as a payment mean in the transaction with his former fellow Militia man, Albert George. Those land certificates amounted for 46 000 acres.

George on the other hand, allegedly put fake grantees names on the certificates which he received from Joseph.

Later, it appeared that despite the common believe, the land certificates were not legal as they hadn’t been signed by the travelling board of land commissioners appointed by the State.

The information about the deal and land certificates got to Charles W. Jackson, who was originally from Kentucky. He was a man of a dubious character and a criminal record. Jackson used to be a steamboat captain on the Mississippi River. Once, his boat was passing another one (named Ben Sherrod). That boat was in flames and sinking. Jackson did not try to help those people. He passed Ben Sherrod by – its passengers and the boat went down to the river bottom. Afterwards, Jackson moved to Shreveport, Louisiana, where he ran a store.  The man was arrested by a group of men and was to be taken to New Orleans. He managed to escape, though and came back to Shreveport. There was a gun fight between Jackson and those ones who were after him. Jackson killed some of his opponents and fled to Shelby County in Texas.  In Texas, the very same man ran for the position of the representative in the Texas Congress. He failed, though, and he blamed land speculators for that.

Jackson wrote letters to the General Land Office in Austin and other persons in Texas, and Louisiana . He also wrote one to Joseph Goodbread. The exchange between the two men was not pleasant, the least to say. Both man were agitated. Joseph wrote to Jackson telling him to mind his own business, otherwise, as Joseph said, he would kill Jackson.

On 20th September 1840 (4), Charles Jackson came to Shelbyville. When he approached Joseph, he was sitting on his horse while Goodbread was sitting on the ground. During the dispute, Joseph apologized for what he had written in his letter and the hasty words. Goodbread also stated he was unarmed. Despite that, Jackson kept demanding that Joseph would stand up. When the latter finally did, Jackson shot him dead. There was a witness of that encounter - Mr. Ephraim  M. Daggett saw and heard what happened, and he later described that in his memoirs.

Soon after the incident, Jackson organized a group of men who were called Regulators. Officially, their purpose was to stop crime. Practically, however, Jackson got that group together to protect himself from Goobread’s friends and relatives, who were expected to retaliate after Joseph’s death. Thus, the Regulators first target, were Joseph Goodbread’s allies.

To make the long story short, Capt. Jackson was taken to trial on 16 July 1841 (7), in Harrison County. Jackson chose trial by Jury. The Judge by the name of John Hansford, was under enormous pressure. Hansford’s father-in-law, Joshua Prewitt, was murdered by the Regulators on 4 July. The old man was killed in in the presence of his daughter, Hansford’s wife. If it was not enough, 150 armed men, friends of Jackson, surrounded the court during the trial. It all led to Jackson’s indictment. 

A contra group was organized by those who were against the Regulators. They were known as Moderators, and that is a subject to be talked about in a later post.

In the following months of the same year, Charles W. Jackson was shot dead by Moderators. It happened  when he was on his way to Logansport.

Clipping source: Cruger & Moore. Telegraph and Texas Register (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 6, No. 41, Ed. 1, Wednesday, September 8, 1841, newspaper, September 8, 1841; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth48150/: accessed December 5, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.

The two homes mentioned in the clippings were the homes of James Strickland and John McFadden. Regulators burned the dwellings of those families and forced the wives and children out in the cold weather. Strickland and McFadden were called "outlaws" in the above clipping. Apparently, the newspaper editor either supported Regulators, or was afraid of their retaliation. As the previous events showed, it was not safe to openly condemn or oppose to the Regulators' actions.

Albert George was elected a sheriff in 1841. He was not present at the Jackson's trial. Another man by the name of George was (first name Hezekiah). Judge Hansford tried to arrest and prosecute murders of Joshua Prewitt, with no success, though. At the end of 1841, he was to be impeached by the Senate. Hansford resigned before it happened. 

Clipping source: Whiting, S. Daily Bulletin. (Austin, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 27, Ed. 1, Thursday, December 30, 1841, newspaper, December 30, 1841; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth80081/: accessed December 5, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.

Clipping source: Whiting, S. Daily Bulletin. (Austin, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 26, Ed. 1, Wednesday, December 29, 1841, newspaper, December 29, 1841; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth80080/: accessed December 5, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.

At the end of the year 1844, John M. Hansford was shot dead by Regulators.

Clipping source: The Morning Star. (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 6, No. 612, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 1, 1844, newspaper, February 1, 1844; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1498026/: accessed December 5, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .

Clipping source: Moore, Francis, Jr. Telegraph and Texas Register (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 9, No. 11, Ed. 1, Wednesday, February 28, 1844, newspaper, February 28, 1844; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth78039/: accessed December 5, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.

Clipping source: Moore, Francis, Jr. Telegraph and Texas Register (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 9, No. 12, Ed. 1, Wednesday, March 6, 1844, newspaper, March 6, 1844; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth78040/: accessed December 5, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.

Joseph’s widow, Susan Eleonor married Mr. Alfred M. Truitt, who was a Moderator and was present at the Jackson’s trial. More about Albert another time..

Sources:

1. "United States, Bureau of Land Management Tract Books, 1800-c. 1955", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6JN8-VC9G : Fri Oct 31 09:02:26 UTC 2025), Entry for Joseph Goodbred, 31 Aug 1833.

2. "United States, Bureau of Land Management Tract Books, 1800-c. 1955", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:62X9-JC8B : Fri Oct 31 11:03:10 UTC 2025), Entry for Joseph G Goodbread, 24 Nov 1834.

3. Savage Frontier: Rangers, Riflemen, and Indian Wars in Texas, Volume 2, 1838 – 1839, by Stephen L. Moore, p 275.

4. Texas State Historical Association. The Texas Historian, Volume 35, Number 5, May 1975, periodical, May 1975; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth391259/: accessed December 3, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.

5. Yoakum, H. (Henderson K.), 1810-1856. History of Texas: From Its First Settlement in 1685 to Its Annexation to the United States in 1846, Volume 2, book, 1855; New York. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth2386/: accessed December 3, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Special Collections. 

6. Texas Gulf Historical Society. The Texas Gulf Historical and Biographical Record, Volume 1, Number 1, November 1965, periodical, November 1965; Beaumont, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1433634/: accessed December 3, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas Gulf Historical Society.

7. East Texas Genealogical Society. East Texas Family Records, Volume 8, Number 1, Spring 1984, periodical, Spring 1984; Tyler, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth38042/: accessed December 3, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting East Texas Genealogical Society.

Photos taken in 09. 2020

Thomas C Dula

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.

You can read the trial transcript below

The song still remains.

Sources:

https://www.planetslade.com/tom-dooley11.html

https://www.kronsell.net/EnPaulineFoster.htm

familysearch.org

https://digital.ncdcr.gov/Documents/Detail/insight-the-tom-dooley-story/746389?item=746597

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

5. http://rossgenealogy.net/getperson.php?personID=I8141&tree=tree1

6. https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-soldiers-detail.htm?soldierId=7EA94098-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.

Napoleon B Breeding's Family - Part 4

More about Napoleon's relatives

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).

The three nephews were with Company D, Waul’s Texas Legion.

Cornelius was the Company’s bugler. he also served with Company I, 18th Regiment, Texas Cavalry (Darnell’s) and Company A , 9th Regiment, Texas Infantry (Nichols') (6 months, 1861-62).

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.

David S Breeding, the son, passed a day later.

Cornelia died at the age of 80, on 1 February 1931.

 Other Posts about Napoleon B. Breeding

Part 1 - Napoleon Bonaparte Breeding & Family

Part 2 - the letter related to Snively Expedition

Part 3

---

This post is part of our series "They Lived in Texas"

Sources:

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

• Fayette County Founders

16. Soldiers and Sailors Database

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.

Napoleon B. Breeding - Part 2

 In 1843, Napoleon was part of Snively Expedition.

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.

TBC

---

Other Posts

Part 1 - Napoleon Bonaparte Breeding & Family

Part 3

Part 4

---

This post is part of our series "They Lived in Texas"

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 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).

---

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.

---

⇒ 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.

TBC

---

More about the Family

N B Breeding - Snively Expedition

Napoleon Bonaparte Breeding and Family - Part 3

---

This post is part of our series "They Lived in Texas"

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.

---

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.

James J Harper

 

In the book I have studied*, among many men, James J Harper is mentioned.

James was a resident of Polk County, TX. He enlisted into the CA on 14 May 1862. The man was a Private (1), he served with Company F, the 22nd Regiment Texas Infantry (Hubbard’s Regiment). In November 1862, he was reported sick at Camp Nelson in Arkansas. James did not recover. He passed on 17th November of the same year and was buried at Camp Nelson Cemetery in Cabot, Arkansas.

The note mentions James’ wife Susannah who received $80.42 from the CA Treasure Department after the man’s passing. It was the soldier’s earnings.

According to James’ military record, he was born in 1833 (2). I tried to find out more about James J. Harper and his family. Here are the results of my research.

I did not know where James was born so I looked for him in various states. It appeared the name James Harper was quite common as I found quite a few men by that name, who were born in 1833 in Georgia, South Carolina, and Alabama, among others..

However, 3 things needed to add up: James’ estimated year of birth, the name of his wife, and the place of residence in 1862 – Polk County, TX.

The only more clear record was the birth of Nancy Ann E Harper, the daughter of James J Harper and Susanna O’Neal. Nancy was born on 12 August 1862, in Polk County, TX (3, 4).

It led me to James J Harper born in Alabama.

He was the son of Benjamin Hale Harper and Nancy Jane Standley. James’ mother died early and his father remarried. In 1850, the family of Mr. Benjamin Harper, a farmer, lived in Henry, Alabama (5). The family was – wife Elizabeth (age 38, born in NC), Sarah Jane (age 18), James (age 15) + children from the second marriage Benjamin Hale (age 13), Wilson (age 11), Malinda (age 9), Eliza (age 7), Washington (age 7), Joseph (age 3), and William (age 2).

James started his own family in 1859, on 21 March. He married 18-year-old Miss Susannah O’Neal (6), who was born on 19 April 1840, in South Carolina and was the daughter of James Henry O’Neal and Sarah Jane Hill. 

As you can see, the record mentions James S Harper - not James J (?)

James and Susannah’s marriage took place in Henry County, Alabama.  Susanna was the bride’s middle name. Her first name was Charlotte.

Sometime after the marriage, the couple came to Texas. I tried to find him in the 1860 records. However, he might have come to Texas later, possibly in 1861.

James never saw his daughter Nancy, who was born a few months after he was enrolled in the CA.

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. 

1. Soldiers and sailors

2. "Texas, Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FZ4L-K77 : Thu Feb 13 18:52:41 UTC 2025), Entry for James J Harper, 1862.

3. Findagrave

4. "Texas, Deaths, 1890-1977", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KSBN-P82 : Tue Jun 10 00:01:01 UTC 2025), Entry for Nancy Ann Jackson and James J Harper, 20 March 1937.

5. "United States, Census, 1850", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MH5M-LRQ : Thu Jan 16 23:55:33 UTC 2025), Entry for Benjamin Harper and Elizabeth Watts Harper, 1850.

6. "Alabama County Marriages, 1711-1992", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKZS-FG6K : Tue Mar 05 05:08:42 UTC 2024), Entry for James S. Harper and Susannah O Neal, 21 Mar 1859.