1850 :: The Census Taker

On this date in Milam County, Texas . . . the 21st day of October . . . in the year 1850 . . . T.J. Allen is acting as "the census taker" and is busy visiting residents of Milam County . . . this particular Mr. Allen just happens to be the third husband of Matilda Connell Allen Allen nee Roberts . . . who is an older sister of our Mahala . . . who is a 3rd great grandma to the Keeper of this Rockdale history blog . . . regarding the job of "the census taker" it has been written that . . . 

It was the first day of census,

and all through the land;

The pollster was ready,

a black book in hand.

He mounted his horse

for a long dusty ride;

His book and some quills

were tucked close by his side.

A long winding ride

down a road barely there;

Toward the smell of fresh bread

wafting up through the air.

As an enumerator for Milam County, one of the households Mr. Allen documented on this date contained the following family members . . .

Charlotte Dougherty 47

Lucinda Dougherty 3 [sic]

Elijah Goodnight 17 [sic]

Elizabeth Goodnight 16

Charles Goodnight 14

Cyntha Goodnight 12

The woman was tired,

with lines on her face;

And wisps of brown hair

she tucked back into place.

She gave him some water

as they sat at the table;

And she answered his questions

the best she was able.

He asked of her children

Yes, she had quite a few;

The oldest just turned nineteen,

the youngest is still two.

He noted the sex,

the colour, the age.

The marks from the quill

soon filled up the page.

They came from Illinois,

of that she was clear;

But she wasn't quite sure

just how long they'd been here.

They spoke of employment,

of schooling and such;

They could read some and write some,

though really not much.

When the questions were answered,

his job there was done;

So he mounted his horse

and he rode back toward home.

We can only imagine

his voice loud and clear -

"May God Bless you all

for another ten years."

As it turned out, by the time the next census is taken (1860), T.J. Allen has died of yellow fever while working as editor for The Galveston Journal . . . most of the members of this branch of the Goodnight and Daugherty family have moved on to other parts of Texas . . . and the above mentioned "Charlie Goodnight" has been a member of the Texas Rangers (1857) . . . 

Before another census comes around in 1870, Charlie has been involved in a near state-wide round-up of feral Texas longhorn cattle that have been roaming free during the years of the war between the states . . . he has invented the "chuck wagon" . . . 

and he has used that early version of a "food truck" when he and Oliver Loving drove their first herd of cattle northward out of Texas along what would become known as the Goodnight-Loving Trail (1866) . . . 

Now picture a time warp -

it's now you and me;

As we search for the people

on our family tree.

We squint at the census

and scroll down so slow;

As we search for that entry

from long, long ago.

Could they only imagine

on that long ago day;

That the entries they made

would effect us this way?

If they knew, would they wonder

at the yearning we feel;

And the searching that makes them

so increasingly real.

We can hear if we listen

the words they impart;

Through their blood in our veins

and their voices in our heart.

Slightly adapted

from

original poem

by

Darlene Stevens

P.S. . . . as an additional tidbit . . . on this date in the year 1899 . . . Noah Smithwick dies in California . . . but back in 1850 he was also living in Milam County, Texas . . . and on the 11th day of September in that year, he was also enumerated by T.J. Allen . . . this Noah Smithwick is the author of Recollections of Old Texas Days . . .

1929 :: Death of Steve N. Wilson

Rockdale Reporter. -- Steve N. Wilson, a resident in and near Rockdale since the late seventies died Wednesday noon at the hospital at Cameron, where he was taken following a stroke of apoplexy about ten days ago. Funeral services, in charge of the local Masonic Lodge, were held Thursday evening at 6:00 o'clock from the home of his sister-in-law, Mrs. R.S. Wilson in Rockdale, burial being made in the family burial ground at the Old City Cemetery.

At the grave the Rev. Chas. F. Smith, of the Methodist Church of Rockdale gave a scriptural reading and offered a soulful prayer. The Masons then took charge, using the impressive ritual of that order. The casket and grave were covered with beautiful floral tributes, sent by friends, relatives and fraternal organizations, which speak in language that only flowers can speak of the esteem in which deceased was held by those who knew him best.

Mr. Wilson was one of the younger representatives of pioneer families in East and Central Texas. He was born in Marshall, Texas, and was the fifth son of a family of nine children. He came to Rockdale in the late seventies, when the town was but a village, where he was actively engaged in various business enterprises, until he retired to his ranch-home south of Rockdale, where he led the life of a refined southern gentleman, keeping in touch with public policies, and sharing his comradeship and time with his son, his books, his flowers, and made frequent excursions here for visits with relatives and friends. He was a good man, devoted father and brother, a loyal friend who was ready to lend a word of cheer and helpful hand to all who passed his way.

At an early date he married Miss Bertie Boone, daughter of Major and Mrs. Hannibal Boon, of Navasota. To this union three children were born one dying in infancy. The wife died leaving the young son, Jason Boone Wilson and daughter, Nell Wilson, who were reared by their father and his devoted sister, Mrs. C.A. Duffy, who claimed them as her very own.

Mr. Wilson was a highly patriotic citizen, who in his younger days served in Company B of the Old Texas Ranger force, under the now famed Col. Baylor. He was a member in standing of the Woodmen of the World, and a long time member of the Masonic Lodge and it was his request that the Masons conduct the service at his funeral.

Surviving are his son, Jason Boone Wilson of Rockdale; a daughter, Mrs. L.H. Ham of Hope, New Mexico; a brother, John Wilson, and sister, Mrs. C.A. Duffy, of Vivian, La. He is also survived by several grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Cameron Herald (Cameron, Texas), June 20, 1929

1937 :: Death of John Selman Jr.

John Marion Selman, a former special agent for the Union Pacific Railroad company here, and a veteran of the Spanish-American war, died in Rockdale, Texas, Wednesday of a heart ailment, it was learned here Friday. Mr. Selman, who left here a year ago for the Texas city, served with troup D, Eleventh U.S. volunteer cavalry in the war, and was a member of Wasatch camp No. 7, United Spanish War Veterans, of this city. He had been a member of the Texas rangers. Surviving are his widow and a daughter. Funeral services and burial will be conducted on Sunday in Rockdale. Salt Lake Tribune, April 3, 1937