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Lubbock, Texas
Cornelius B. McGuyer was the son of Thomas McGuyer and Ann Lee MyGuyer. He was a Private in Company G, 23rd Texas Cavalry. He had been wounded while serving in the Mexican War. He was born on 18 November 1822 in the Wartrace Community, in the County of Bedford
State of Tennessee. His death date is 09 January 1903. He died of: rheumatism, gouty condition, old age and had suffered from severe hemorrhage in the stomach from wounds received in the Mexican War in 1846. (as per pension Confederate application). He is buried in the Charleston Cemetery, located in the town of Charleston, Delta Co., TX.
Cornelius married first to Mary Ann Gollithan on 03 June 1847 in Bedford Co. TN. Mary Gollothan was born 04 November 1823 in the county of Bedford, TN.
Cornelius Butcher McGuyer with wifes #1 Mary Ann Gollithan McGuyer and #2 Salina Dukes McGuyer
He married second to Salina Dukes on 01 March 1860 in Hopkins Co., TX. Salina Dukes was born in Illinois on 26 February 1839.
Mary died on 09 July 1859 in Charleston, Delta Co., TX. Salina Dukes died 25 July 1916 in Charleston, Delta Co., TX. They are both buried in the Charleston Cemetery.
He did not receive a Texas Confederate Pension. He was denied the pension because of "too much property and draws a Mexican Pension," (Comptroller's File No. 1135, registered in the County of Delta, TX.)
Children's names from the first marriage were: Thomas Rufus, Sarah Catherine "Sally", Ann Lee, Nancy Jane, Sinthy Elizabeth "Betty" and William John McGuyer
Children's names from the second marriage were: Cornelius Henry, Clarinda Mary, James Gideon "Gid", Feraba Emma Estella, Lucinda "Lucy" Salina, Daniel Christian, Simeon, Ruth and Benjamin Franklin McGuyer.
In the fall of 1855, Cornelius Butcher McGuyer's family, David Simeon George's family, three other uncles, and a number of other families, decided to move to Texas. Thomas Rufus McGuyer recalled his father had a wagon with an iron axle, which broke several times during the trip. Rufus was seven at the time of the move. Several families were already in Charleston - such as Hemby, Vancil, Dukes, Helm, Nabors, Foster, Viser, Ripley, George, Bates, Wood, Stell, Oats, Bledsoe, Ray, Terrell, Akard and Elmore.
From DELTA COUNTY HISTORY 1870 - 1991:
"Cornelius Butcher McGuyer emigrated to Lamar County (Moore's Spring) in 1855 and then moved to Charleston, Delta, Texas in 1857. He is buried in the Charleston Cemetery, Delta County, Texas."
He donated the land for Charleston Cemetery. His first wife, Mary Ann Gollithan McGuyer, was the first to be buried there.
Cornelius B. McGuyer volunteered to fight in the Mexican War in 1846. He was 24 at the time and served under General Zachary Taylor. He was wounded three times in the Battle of Monterey, Mexico, and fell some forty yards short of the Fort. He was evacuated, hospitalized and returned home. He frequently hemorrhaged because of the bullet left in his lung. He was in the 1st Tennessee Inf., Volunteer in the Mexican War and in the Civil War. (National Archives)
He and Salina Dukes were married at Henry Dukes' on March 1, 1860, in the presence of John Woods and Rebecca Woods."
The following was copied July 17, 1941 for Mrs. E. B. Miller (Susie Rhodes) by Francis Marion Foster, Jr. from the Cooper, Texas newspaper.
A REUNION OF C. B. MCGUYER'S FAMILY AND RELATIVES,
AT CHARLESTON, DELTA COUNTY, TEXAS,
JULY 6, 1923
"Cornelius Butcher McGuyer was born November 18, 1822 in Bedford County, Tennessee. He professed faith in Christ when but a child eight years of age and joined the M. E. Church, South, to which he was ever loyal.
He grew up to manhood at the place of his birth. While yet a young man, 24 years of age, he enlisted in the Mexican War under Zachary Taylor. He was shot down in the first battle, Monterey, and was within forty steps of the Fort, before he was carried from the battlefield - he was shot again. A little later he received a wound from a spent shell which entered the top of his right shoulder and lodged in his left lung where it ever remained. After being taken to a hospital and given medical treatment, he was discharged and returned home.
In 1847 he was married to Mary Ann Gollithan, who was born and reared at his native home. Six children were born to this union - five in Tennessee and one in Texas.
In the Fall of 1855, he with a host of relatives started out in the search of a new home, and landed five miles east of Paris, Lamar, Texas near Moore's Spring, where he bought a home. Two years later he sold out, purchased a home in Charleston, Delta County, to which he immediately moved his family.
He was one of the pioneers of this country. At that time little farming was done and that with oxen. There was no railroad in this country and freighting was done by means of oxen. Jefferson and Shreveport were the principal market places.
Among the hardships came the death of his companion, July 17, 1859. As there was no cemetery near by, she was buried at home. The period of her death marks the age of the present cemetery at Charleston. She was a member of the M. E. Church, South.
He was married again in 1860 to Salina Dukes, a native of Illinois. To this union were born nine children. Soon after his marriage, the Civil War broke out. He served during the latter part of the war. After the war, he returned to the old home, where both families were reared. God called him to his reward June 9, 1903. His wife survived him by several years. Death claimed her 25 July 1916. She was a member of the M. E. Church.
Twelve children still survive: six of the first union, four girls and two boys and nine of the second union, four girls and five boys.
His grandparents were captured by the British during the Revolutionary War, were taken to Quebec, Canada, and while there in prison his father, Thomas, was born.
During the last years of his life, his church at home had gone down so he joined the M. P. Church.
The McGuyer Reunion of July 6, was held at the old home at Charleston. 295 McGuyer relatives were present, besides a number of other friends.
Rev. Sanders of the M. Church, Cooper, rendered an interesting speech to the congregation after which dinner was served. The afternoon was spent in singing, praying, reading, and in conversation. Music was given by a string band. The occasion brought great joy to many."
*Cornelius is the one who changed the spelling from McGuire to McGuyer.
©Ron Brothers and Tonie Sue Manning Chambers, All Rights Reserved.
March 23, 1999
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