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P.O. Box 162
Fruitvale, TX 75127
John L. Boatright, my 2nd paternal Great-Grandfather, was born on 5 Mar 1831 (Information source: CSA Pension File # 2877) in Miller County, Arkansas. John L. Boatright was the son of Friend and Lydia (Sparks) Boatright. John was only 2 years of age when he arrived in Texas with his parents in 1833.
Information Sources: Stephen F. Austin's Registry of First Families, p. 136 documents Friend Boatright and his wife, Lydia, arriving in Texas in 1833, from Miller County, Arkansas, with 7 of their children. One of the sons was John L. Boatright. His father, Friend Boatright's age at that time was 32, indicating he was born about 1801. His mother, Lydia Boatright's age at that time was 25, indicating she was born about 1808.
The 1850 Lavaca County, TX Census documents Lydia, a widow and head of household, with her children. Washington County Deeds document Friend Boatright in land transactions in 1848. This indicates Friend Boatright's date of death was between 1848-1850.
The 1880 Llano County, TX Census documents Lydia Boatright was born in Illinois.
John L. Boatright enlisted in Parker County, TX. on 6 May 1862, as Private, in Company A, 21st Regiment, Texas Volunteer Infantry under Col. W. H. Griffin.
He died of "failing health" on October 27, 1890, (Information source: CSA Pension # 2877) in Williamson County TX, and was buried in the Pond Springs Cemetery in Williamson County, TX, as documented in Williamson County Cemetery Records. The exact grave site was documented prior to the tombstone disappearing. The cemetery is a very "endangered species", being only a few hundred feet from a very busy intersection, and a Walmart parking lot. We plan a CSA Tombstone dedication in the Fall of 2000.
He married March 02, 1854 in Lavaca County, TX to Rebecca Cole. Rebecca was born in 1838 in Iowa and died November 30, 1903, probably in Oklahoma. Place of her burial is unknown. (Information source: TX Marriage Record.)
East Texas Historical Journal., Volume IX, No 2, October 1971 documents the 21st Texas Infantry was stationed at Sabine Pass August 31, 1863, one week before the Battle of Sabine Pass, under Griffin's Battalion. This battalion consisted primarily of seasoned frontiersmen who were known as "sharp-shooters". During the week before the battle, the unit fortified and secured Sabine's defenses.
Also documented in the referenced journal: The unit saw action on the Calcasieu River in Louisiana.
Also documented in the referenced journal: The unit was also stationed at Brownsville Texas and fought in the last battle of the Civil War at Palmito Ranch on May 13, 1865, (news of Lee's surrender had not arrived in South TX) and were among the last Confederate unit to lower the Rebel Flag on May 20, 1865.
During John L. Boatright's service in the CSA, his wife and children are documented in THE CONFEDERATE INDIGENT FAMILIES LISTS OF TEXAS, as having received aide in February 23, 1865.
After the Civil War, although in failing health and poor eyesight, John L. Boatright farmed several hundred acres in Llano County TX, until a few years before his death.
His widow received Confederate Pension #2827 registered in the County of Llano in the State of Texas.
Children of John L. Boatright and Rebecca (Cole) Boatright:
1. Sarah Boatright born February 06, 1857 in Texas. Married William M. Clark on February 23, 1861 in Travis County, TX. She died December 26, 1939 in Comanche County, TX.
2. Julia Boatright born 1859 in TX, married James Bruce Carter November 28, 1877 in Travis County TX. She died November 11, 1937 in Rains County, TX and is buried in Lone Star Cemetery in Point, Texas.
3. Spencer Boatright born February 28, 1861 in Texas, died March 24, 1892 in Williamson County, TX and is buried in the Pond Springs Cemetery, next to his father's grave, in Williamson County, TX.
4. Jasper R. Boatright born April 07, 1862 in Johnson County, TX and died March 29, 1945 in Brownwood, TX. No other information is known.
5. Arria L. "Ida" Boatright born October 25, 1865 in TX, married Adolphus Morgan about 1885 in Travis County, TX, died August 13, 1945 in Los Fresnos, Cameron County, TX.
6. Edith Boatright born 1871 in TX, no other information is known.
7. W. Boatright (son) born 1875 in TX, no other information is known.
John L. Boatright was a grandson of Thomas and Amy Boatright. Thomas and Amy Boatright and their oldest children, first arrived at Stephen F. Austin's Spanish Land Grant on December 31, 1821. They camped beside a stream, now known as "New Year Creek" to commemorate their crossing. They were in the first fifteen of the original 300 colonist who helped Stephen F. Austin to colonize Austin's First Colony, for which The Texas State Genealogical Society awarded certificate # 550 "Descendant's of Austin's Old Three Hundred" in their name.
The Texas State Genealogical Society awarded certificate # 4815, designating John L. Boatright as a Texas First Family, who resided or served The Republic of Texas before February 19, 1846 when the Republic of Texas officially became The State of Texas.
The Texas Office of Commissioner of Claims # 182 certifies a Land Bounty of 640 acres was issued to John L. Boatright for his services in the Army of The Republic of Texas, service unspecified.
Private John L. Boatright served in Sutton's Company, Bell's Regiment, Texas Mounted Volunteers during the Mexican War 1846-1848. He received Pension # C20329 October 23, 1889, and a Land Warrant for his services in the Mexican War. His Mexican War Pension records describe his physical appearance as 5'9", dark complexion, black hair and gray eyes.
©Ron Brothers and Leland Carter, All Rights Reserved, 2000.
July 3, 2000
