• 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…

  • 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…

  • Family Genealogy Research,  Ferguson,  Frazier,  Patterson,  Ward,  Wood

    Jane Patterson 1910 “Early Reminiscences” Hillsboro Mirror

    Background Jane Wood Frazier Patterson was interviewed in the spring of 1910, and gave her memories of her life.  There are some errors in the letter.  A few include the story about the family in Leon County.  I refer you to the letter written by Isabella Riddell Wood about their journey to  Ft. Graham.  This articles also states that brother Hugh left for the Gold Fields of California was never heard from since.  We have letters from Hugh so…I don’t know about the “never hearing from him again” unless he went to California almost a decade after the Gold Rush.  Our letters stop before the start of the Civil War. …

  • Family Genealogy Research,  Park,  Patterson,  Wood

    Crossing the Atlantic: What Happened to the Ships John Ganon and Olympus?

    Emigration by Sea When James and Isabella Wood emigrated to Texas in 1851, they set sail from Liverpool, England bound for New Orleans, Louisiana.  They traveled on the John Ganon, ship’s captain was Hamilton.  This information is found on the Louisiana Secretary of State’s website.  I found a great account of emigration from Scotland to the United States that was written by members of the Church of Latter Day Saints.  Their first hand descriptions make me thankful that I didn’t cross the Atlantic by ship back in the 1800s. The Mormon saints traveling to Texas were on board the ship Olympus.  There is a rendering of that ship in the…

  • Family Genealogy Research,  Patterson

    Jane Patterson Letter to Mr. Doak March 19, 1878

    Background Poor Jane!  She finds herself widowed for the second time and is writing to Mr. Doak for help locating his brother.  S.C. Doak was teaching school in the area and was boarding with Jane and John Patterson.  He left his trunk with all his books and papers and Jane has lost track of him.  She is urgently looking for him as he did not pay her the money for his room and board and Jane is in need of the money.  I have another letter that John Patterson wrote to Mr. Doak on the same subject. The Letter Brandon, Hill Co. March 19th 1878   Mr. Doak, Dear Sir,…

  • Family Genealogy Research,  Frazier,  Patterson,  Wood

    John M. Patterson Loyalty Statement to the United States of America 1869

    Background John M. Patterson emigrated in the same group as the Wood and Park families from Scotland to Texas in 1851.  John Patterson served in the Civil War on the side of the Confederacy.  After the War, John married Jane M. Wood Frazier, a daughter of James and Isabella Wood.  Jane’s first husband was Monroe Frazier, but he enlisted in the Confederate Army, became ill, and died all in a matter of months.  John M. Patterson is buried in the Milford Cemetery near James and Isabella Wood, his mother and father-in-law. The Document United States of America The State of Texas, County of Hill   I, John Patterson, do solemnly…