Family Genealogy Research

Please find my collection of genealogy materials organized by family surname in the following pages.  Some of the research I inherited from my grandmother, Carrie Jean Goodman Ferguson and other materials I have found either in courthouses, old houses, books, or on the Internet. The surnames I research are: Anderson, Cockerham, Evans, Ferguson, Goodman, Potter, Thomas, and Wood.  I have other families that I research who are closely related to mine.  They are Ward, Patterson, Frazier, and Davis. Enjoy! And let me know if you have something to add or correct!  

  • Ferguson,  Frazier,  Patterson,  Ward,  Wood

    From “The Lone Star State” published 1892

    The following is a bit from the chapter about Johnson and Hill County. THE LONE STAR STATE “Johnson and Hill Counties” 1892   Mrs. Jane M. Patterson, relict of John Patterson, and a lady much respected for her many excellent qualities of mind and heart, was born in Glasford Parish, Scotland, December 29, 1833.  Her parents, James and Isabel(sic) Wood, were natives also of Scotland, in which country they were married, and in 1851 they came with their children, nine in number, to the United States.  Previous to this, the father had bought some land in Texas from an English colony company and had sailed to America to settle on…

  • Ferguson,  Frazier,  Wood,  Wood Family Reunion 2020

    1859 James Wood Land in Erath County and Sale to M. Frazier

    Page One   The State of Texas County of Hill   Know all men by these presents that I, James Wood, of the county of Hill and state aforesaid for and in consideration of the sum of $125 dollars to me in hand paid the receipt whereof is hereby fully acknowledged have bargained sold aliened and conveyed and by these presents do bargain sell alien and convey to Monro Frazier of the county of Erath and state of Texas his heirs and Assigns forever all of the following described tract or parcel of land to wit, lying and being situated in the county of Erath on the Paluxy River about…

  • 1846 Homestead Renovation,  Patterson,  Wood

    John Patterson Loyalty Statement to the United States of America – 19 Nov 1869

    John Patterson signed a loyalty statement following the US Civil War. Below is the transcribed letter (for easy reading) and a photo of the letter. Enjoy!   Transcription: United States of America The State of Texas, County of Hill   I, John Patterson, do solemnly swear in the presence of Almighty God that I will hereafter faithfully support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Union of the States there under and that I will in like manner abide by and faithfully support all laws and proclamations which have been made during the existence of the present rebellion with reference to the emancipation of slaves so help…

  • 1846 Homestead Renovation,  Wood,  Wood Family Reunion 2020

    12 June 1866: S. Candlish to James Wood

      Transcribed Letter: St. George’s Square Sheffield June 12, 1866 Mr. Jas Wood My Dear Sir, Before you read this letter the enclosed funeral card will have conveyed to you the sad intelligence of the death of your Brother – He died from apoplexy- was only five hours ill- and was never conscious after being seized – Tho not being vey well for about two months, he attended to his business until the hour he was summoned above all earthly things. It has passed from amongst us a deeply lamented and much missed man, passed however into an honored grave, we can sayhe served his God faithfully and like his…

  • 1846 Homestead Renovation,  The Homestead's History,  Wood,  Wood Family Reunion 2020

    27 November 1896: Emily Ann Frazier letter to Jane Wood Frazier Patterson

    Transcribed Letter: Valley? Farm Nov 27th 1896 Dear Jane, You must not think that I am going to tell you anything new or strange because I write. That would be out of my power. You have lived here and know how little news reaches here. I send you two newspapers the only ones I have seen since I came here except a Dutch paper sent her to Mr. Wickeland as it will not be very interesting to you or I, I will give it to Mr. Frazier for gun wadding. I think we will hear more news now as there is a regular mail to Fort Graham once a week. …

  • 1846 Homestead Renovation,  The Homestead's History,  Wood,  Wood Family Reunion 2020

    26 January 1880: William Riddell to his sister, Isabella Riddell Wood

    Transcribed Letter: Wellgreen 26th January 1880 My Dear Sister, I received your letter of 16th Agust 79/ all right and was glad to see you were all well once more, as you say the time is uncertain, it will not be long that we will have the priviledge of writing to one another in this world, but I hope we are all Trusting in Jessus Christ, so that when our latter End does come we may all meet in a Better world, and meet with those who are gone Before, to Dwell for ever with he Lord, this is a world of sin and Sorrow and triles, but if we…

  • 1846 Homestead Renovation,  The Homestead's History,  Wood,  Wood Family Reunion 2020

    May 7, 1853: Margaret Riddell Letter to Her Sister, Isabella Riddell Wood

    Y’all owe me big for this one.  Not only is is difficult to read, but dear Aunt Margaret used inventive spelling, wrong punctuation, and random acts of capitalization.  Bless her heart. Cobourgh Place, Sighthill January 7th, 1853 Dear Sister, I hop you wil excuse me for not writing before this time to you.  It is wonderful how the time slips by in the worald, I am hapy to inform you that My Mother is just about her usewall way for health although she is very frail. She cannot walk through the house without me supporting her by the wone side and she cannot turn herself in her bed, I put…

  • 1846 Homestead Renovation,  The Homestead's History,  Wood,  Wood Family Reunion 2020

    28 October 1862 Near Little Rock, Arkansas: John Wood to Mother Isabella Wood

    John Wood writes a short letter to his mother letting her know that he is well and that everyone with his are well.  Evidently, they have captured some Union soldiers and are sending them to Little Rock. Transcription: October the 28, 1862 Mrs. Wood, I have taken the opportunity of writing you a few lines to let you know that I am well at present all the boys is well the arcansas taken 80 yanks the other day. We are sending the yanks to Little Rock every day.  I must bring my letter to a close John Wood

  • 1846 Homestead Renovation,  Family Genealogy Research,  Wood

    26 November 1857 Letter from Fort Bridger During Mormon Wars

    John Wood writes home to his mother, Isabella Wood in Texas describing the events and circumstances surrounding him at Fort Bridger, Utah Territory.  He promises he will come home as “soon as Brigham Young will let me”. Transcribed Letter: Fort Bridger, Utah Territory November 26, 1857 My Dear Mother, It is a long time since I wrote to you, but it is a longer time since I heard from you.  I left Paducah, Ky, for St. Louis, Mo. Not finding anything to do there.  I went to Ft. Leavenworth and there I engaged to go as a teamster to Salt Lake.  I intended to have wrote you from that place,…

  • Anderson,  Family Genealogy Research

    1875 Sworn Letter to State of Texas by Oliver Hazzard Anderson

    O.H. Anderson Letter to State Background The Anderson Family is a pretty cool branch of our family tree.  John Anderson was born in Scotland and emigrated to the American colonies.  He and his sons fought on the side of the rebellious colonist.  John Anderson and his son (Scarlet, I believe) were killed during this conflict.  His son Bailey Anderson appears to be an adventurous hero in the making.  He fought in three or four colonies during the American Revolution.  He was a spy.  He moved to the area that is now Kentucky and served in the state legislature there.  He moved into what is now Indiana and was one of…