Polish thread got me thinkin'...

[goggleeye]

I'm pure square-head. Great grand people came from Germany through Galveston in the 1870s. Sure must have been a climate shock for those folks. The early 1870s and prior, they also had to deal with the Comanches. Thems were some tough folk....

[Twztid]

German transplant grandfathers generation...sequin Texas....now la vernia

[SATX]

Our last name is Sills.

On my father's side our ancestors immigrated to America in 1760 from Germany (already had Irish and French blood in them). They were loyalists to King George and were burned out of their homes in Pennsylvania. In retaliation, they fled north of the border to Canada and joined one of the many British Rangers outfits to fight against the colonies.

For their efforts, the Crown gave Conrad and his sons each a section of land in Ontario Canada. That land grant later became the town of Sillsville.

On my mother's side, we are mainly Irish & French (Minnesota) with some Canadian (Three Rivers area) in the mix.

My father was born in Virden, Manitoba Canada and my mother was born in St. Paul MN. My wife is a Cherokee indian so our kids will have an intersting mix to say the least.

[Dapper Dan]

Blerman! My dad is black from New York and my mom is German. We moved here when I was 4. I'm sure there is some Indian somewhere on my dads side as well.

[Axe Man]

My people are Volga Deutsch. Germans who came over from Russia. They settled in Central Kansas. I have been researching on ancestry . com and have learned that they were red wheat farmers there so that is probably why they settled in Kansas.

My great great grandfather was Sam Hill...as in, "what in Sam Hill." My brother is named after him.

[El Paisano]

Some of my ancestors were Texans before there was a Texas. Mostly anglo Irish/English/French/Comanche.

[scotth89]

This is long winded

Starting with my paternal grandfather.

Ernie Maurice HALES
Born 27 OCT 1904 in Texas the son of Henry Jackson HALES and Sallie Velma SIMPSON. Married 23 JUN 1932 Mabel Irene POWERS at Conroe, Texas. Ernie Maurice HALES died 23 JUN 1988 in Texas.
Children:
F- Doye Estelle HALES; born 16 APR 1933; married 24 DEC 1949 R. L. METTLEN.
F- Dorothy Lucille HALES; born 18 MAR 1936; married 17 FEB 1952 Hubert PERRY.
M- Rufus Henry HALES; born 13 SEP 1940; married 18 SEP 1959 Mary Frances GILMORE.
F- Virginia Louise HALES; born 25 SEP 1942; married 31 MAY 1960 Clyde Willis HALES.
M- Ernie Jackson HALES; born 26 MAR 1946; married 10 JUN 1968 Elaine FRANKLIN.
M- Frank Lewis HALES; born 6 JUL 1950; married 19 DEC 1969 Beverly COLLINS.
F- Martha Kate HALES; born 6 JAN 1955.
M- Donald HALES; twin, born 17 APR 1956.
M- Ronald HALES; twin, born 17 APR 1956.


Henry Jackson HALES
Born 23 JUN 1877 in Texas and of Precinct 3, Tyler, Texas in 1880 the son of Abel Denis HALES and Amanda CALVERT of Tyler County, Texas. Married about 1902 Sallie Velma SIMPSON. She was born 15 FEB 1885. Henry Jackson HALES died 29 OCT 1944. His wife died 2 JUL 1965.
Children:
M- Ernie Maurice HALES; twin, born 27 OCT 1904 in Texas; married 23 JUN 1932 Mabel Irene POWERS; died 23 JUN 1988.
F- Vernie Maudice HALES; twin, born 27 OCT 1904; married 15 APR 1932 Reverend Frank JAHOS.
M- Ozie Earnist HALES; born 28 APR 1906; died 29 NOV 1951.
M- Willie Delbert HALES; born 4 APR 1908 of Texas; died MAR 1972.
M- Burion Clifton HALES; born 5 JUL 1910; married about 1935 Esther JEFFCOTE; died 17 FEB 1961.
F- Jewel Echo HALES; born 13 AUG 1912; married 5 MAR 1932 Herman Jackson TURNER.
M- Ira Jackson HALES; born 24 SEP 1914; married 17 JUL 1940 Cordilia Frances BRYANT.
F- Gracie Mae HALES; born 21 OCT 1917; married 16 MAR 1944 John E. BOEDEKER.
M- R. B. "Bob" HALES; born 16 SEP 1920; died 6 AUG 1922.
F- Floy Mildred HALES; born 27 OCT 1923; married 21 JUL 1943 Claude L. "Jack" JETT; died 9 AUG 1961.


Abel Dennis HALES
Born 10 DEC 1844 in Mississippi and of Smith County, Mississippi in 1850 and 1860 and of Subdivision 21, Polk, Texas in 1870 and of Precinct 3, Tyler, Texas in 1880 the son of Henry Jackson HALES and Elizabeth HARTLEY. Married (1) 29 DEC 1869 Amanda CALVERT in Polk County. She was born about 1845 in Alabama and of Subdivision 21, Polk, Texas in 1870 and of Precinct 3, Tyler, Texas in 1880.
Children:
M- John Davis HALES; born about 1871 in Texas and of Precinct 3, Tyler, Texas in 1880; married (1) about 1897 Mary Lou OTT, (2) Mattie Bell EZELL; died 17 FEB 1920.
F- Clara or Clarie Lou “Cindy” HALES; born 7 DEC 1875 in Texas and of Precinct 3, Tyler, Texas in 1880; married 18 FEB 1891 Robert Zedock "Dock" BOYD.
M- Henry Jackson HALES; born 23 JUN 1877 in Texas and of Precinct 3, Tyler, Texas in 1880; married Sallie Velma SIMPSON; died 29 OCT 1944.
F- Betty HALES; born 2 DEC 1880; married 6 MAR 1901 Thomas Benton "Bent" PURCELL; died 25 DEC 1968.
F- Julia Etta HALES; born 2 May 1883 in Polk County, Texas; married Clarence SMITH; died about APR 1971.
M- Josiah Joe HALES; born 7 MAR 1886; married 10 MAR 1910 Fannie MILLER.
Abel Dennis HALES married (2) about 1889 Nancy EVANS. She died 17 SEP 1894. Abel Dennis HALES died APR 1917.
Children:
M- John Riley HALES; born 19 JUL 1890 of Security, San Jacinto, Texas; married 1910 Ida Lee MILLER.
M- Wiley HALES; born 19 JUL 1890; died 10 AUG 1890.
M- Marion Juby HALES; born 17 OCT 1891; married 25 AUG 1915 Sally May MILLER; died 15 JUL 1943.
M- Dennis HALES; born 6 SEP 1894; married 22 MAR ... ; died 15 JAN 1967.


Henry Jackson HALES
Born 1815 in Mississippi, probably in Amite County, the son of John HALES and Rachael ... Married about 1833 Elizabeth HARTLEY. She was born about 1819 in Mississippi and of Smith County, Mississippi in 1860. Henry Jackson Hales died 29 JUL 1859 in Smith County, Mississippi. Elizabeth HARTLEY died about 1867 in Mississippi.
Children:
M- Henry C. HALES; born 20 APR 1834 in Mississippi and of Smith County, Mississippi in 1850 and of Smith County, Mississippi in 1860; married about 1856 Emaline …
F- Selina HALES; born 7 MAY 1835 in Mississippi and of Smith County, Mississippi in 1850; died 30 SEP 1859.
F- Susanna HALES; born 9 DEC 1837; died 17 AUG 1845.
F- Mary HALES; born 9 NOV 1839 in Louisiana and of Smith County, Mississippi in 1850.
F- Matilda Caroline HALES; born 9 NOV 1841 in Mississippi and of Smith County, Mississippi in 1850.
M- Abel Dennis HALES; born 10 DEC 1844 in Mississippi and of Smith County, Mississippi in 1850 and 1860 and of Subdivision 21, Polk, Texas in 1870; married (1) 1869 Amanda CALVERT, (2) Nancy EVANS; died APR 1917.
M- Wesley Wooddal HALES; born 24 AUG 1846 in Smith County, Mississippi and of Smith County, Mississippi in 1850 and 1860; married 21 APR 1870 Martha Ann CALVERT; died 1 SEP 1917.
M- Hugh HALES; born 7 APR 1848 in Mississippi and of Smith County, Mississippi in 1850 and 1860 and of Subdivision 21, Polk, Texas in 1870; married 1870 Nancy McKEE.
M- Jackson HALES; born 15 NOV 1849 in Mississippi and of Smith County, Mississippi in 1850 and 1860 and of Subdivision 21, Polk, Texas in 1870.
M- George M. "Lewis" HALES; born 30 NOV 1851 in Mississippi and of Smith County, Mississippi in 1860 and of Subdivision 21, Polk, Texas in 1870; married 1874 Susan Armender BUTLER; died 1918.
M- Franky "Dutch" HALES; born 28 AUG 1853 in Mississippi and of Smith County, Mississippi in 1860; died 1929.
F- Cyntha or Sintha Mahala HALES; born 27 MAY 1855 at Polkville, Smith, Mississippi and of Smith County, Mississippi in 1860 and of Subdivision 21, Polk, Texas in 1870; married 10 SEP 1879 Enoch Hayes PERRY; died 18 MAR 1925.
M- Willis Henry HALES; born 1858 in Mississippi and of Smith County, Mississippi in 1860 and of Subdivision 21, Polk, Texas in 1870; married 1883 Mollie Ellen HOUGH.


John HALES
Born 1786 in Darlington County, South Carolina and of Smith County, Mississippi in 1850 the son of Silas HALES and Cynthia ALEXANDER. May have married twice. Married about 1811 Rachel or Lacy ... Named in fathers will dated 11 AUG 1846 in Darlington County, South Carolina. She was born in 1792 in South Carolina and of Smith County, Mississippi in 1850 and 1860. John HALES died 19 AUG 1859 and was buried at Polkville, Mississippi.
Children:
M- John C. HALES; born about 1813 in Mississippi and of Smith County, Mississippi in 1850; married about 1838 Nancy ...
M- Henry Jackson HALES; born about 1815 in Mississippi and of Smith County, Mississippi in 1850; married about 1833 Elizabeth HARTLEY.
F- ... HALES; born about 1817.
M- Alexander HALES; born about 1819 in Mississippi and of Smith County, Missisippi in 1850; married about 1841 Caroline ...
F- Leathia HALES; born about 1825 in Mississippi and of Smith County, Mississippi in 1850.
M- Noel HALES; born about 1828 in Mississippi and of Smith County, Mississippi in 1850.
F- Lacy HALES; born about 1832 in Mississippi and of Smith County, Mississippi in 1850.
M- William HALES; born about 1834 in Mississippi and of Smith County, Mississippi in 1850.


Silas HALES
Born about 1753 in Virginia and of Darlington, South Carolina the son of John HALES. Married (1) about 1779 Cynthia ALEXANDER. She was born about 1757 and died about 1808 in Darlington County, South Carolina. Married (2) 1818 Spicy JOHNSON. Silas HALES will was proved 11 AUG 1846.
Children:
M- John HALES; born in 1786 in Darlington County, South Carolina and of Smith County, Mississippi in 1850; married (1) about 1815 ..., (2) Rachael ...; died 19 AUG 1859.
M- Henry HALES; born about 1790 in Darlington County, South Carolina and of Clarke County, Mississippi in 1850; married about 1825 Sally ...
M- Alexander HALES; born about 1792 in Darlington County, South Carolina and of Clarke County, Mississippi in 1850; married about 1828 Purity ...
M- Syntha or Synthia HALES; born about 1782 of Darlington County, South Carolina; married about 1804 ... THOMAS.


John HALES
Born about 1611 of England. Embarked in ship "Assurance" for Virginia 24 JUL 1635.
John Hales-found in Chowan County, N.C. in 1721 Early Census Index, was in Westmoreland County in 1728 and had a son who was living in Westmoreland County in 1753. This family moved to North Carolina about 1775. They were in Johnston County, North Carolina by 1776.

John HAYLES listed in Johnston county, NC in 1784 per NC Early Census Index.

Henry HAYLES listed in Johnston County, NC in 1784 per NC Early Census Index.

John had at least four sons: 1. John, Jr., 2. Silas (our line), 3. Henry and 4. Chapman Hales.

His wife was Margaret Bagnall b. abt1720s.


John Hales, age 21, embarked in ship "Assurance" for Virginia from England on July 24, 1635. He sailed from London. He was examined as to his religion and took the oath of allegiance; this was done by the Minister of Gravesend, Kent, England. By 1728 there were several Hales families in Virginia. John Hales in Westmoreland County in 1728 had a son who was living in Westmoreland County in 1753. This family moved to North Carolina about 1770. They were in Johnston County, North Carolina by 1776. John Hales had at least three sons, perhaps four: John Hales, Jr.; Silas; Henry and Chapman Hales.
Silas Hales was born about 1753 in Virginia. In 1776 he was old enough to go to war. The following account is taken from the application Silas made for Revolutionary Soldiers Pension. He made the application on October 22, 1833.
Silas Hailes (as spelled at times) first volunteered as a private in the war in Anson County, North Carolina under Captain James Flair. The company was a troop of horse soldiers. The duty of the company was to ride through districts of North Carolina along the Pee Dee River and some across the river into South Carolina, for the purpose of protecting these districts from "the plunder and ravages of the Tories, with whom they had several skirmishes, particularly one with the notorious Tory Major Gainey. The company was also at a severe skirmish near McCallum's Ferry in South Carolina. After they were defeated by the British they repaired back to Anson County, North Carolina." Silas was with Captain Flair's company six months.
Silas then moved to South Carolina in the Darlington District and again volunteered as a private, this time in Captain John Watts company of Infantry. This company was attached to Sumter's brigade. Duties of the company was to travel through Camden District, South Carolina, now Kershaw County, Orangeburg District and Charleston District, "watching and attacking the Tories and guarding the country." Silas also did duty as a military post rider between Camden and High Hills of Santee conveying letters to and for General Greene. This tour of duty lasted four months. His next tour of duty was in Captain Andrew DuBose's company. After a short time he was transferred to the company of Peter DuBose and served in Marion's brigade for two years until the brigade was discharged at Waaboo, near Monk's corner.
Silas married Cynthia Alexander about 1779. She died about 1805 in Darlington County, South Carolina. At least four children were born to this couple. Silas married Spicy Johnson on December 25, 1818, and according to Spicy's statement the ceremony was performed by David Grantham, a Baptist minister. Silas died October 18, 1846 at about the age of 93 in Darlington County, South Carolina.
Before Silas died he made a will on August 3rd, 1846 as follows:

The state of South Carolina, Darlington District:
In the name of God, Amen. I Silas Hales of State and District aforesaid being of sound and disposing mind and memory, but weak in body and calling to mind the uncertainty of life, and being desirous to dispose of such worldly estate as it hath pleased God to bless me with do make and ordain this my last will, and in manner following. That is to say I desire that my executors hereafter named shall call on Doctor Robert L. Hart immediately after my decease and out of three hundred dollars he ows me besides interest on said amount till paid and out of the above mentioned money and interest to pay Burrel Segars one hundred and fifty dollars for my land I bought from Burrel Segars and on the receipt of Burrel Segars, let him, Segars execute a warranted deed to my wife, Spicy Hales for 595 acres more or less, and out of the balance of the above named money I want all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid. Should it prove insufficient for the above purpose then I desire my executors to sell out of my other estate a sufficiency to satisfy all my just debts as shall remain unpaid out of such sale. After payment of all my just debts and funeral expenses I give my wife, Spicy Hales all my land above named together with all my household and kitchen furniture with all my plantation tools and farming utensils all and singular my crops of corn, peas, fodder, shuck and potatoes to have and to hold all her natural life excepting twenty dollars I give to Jurome Johnson to be left in the hands of my executors to be paid to his as necessity may require and after my wife's demise, I want all and singular the above property to be equally divided between my four children in the west, to wit: John Hales, Henry Hales, Alexander Hales and Syntha Thomas. That is to say all my property consisting of 595 acres of land, more or less, two head of horses, my stock of hogs, household and kitchen furniture, crops of corn and peas, fodder, shuck and potatoes and all estate both real and personal of what nature or quality soever it may be, not herein before particularly disposed of, I desire may be equally divided amongst my several children herein before named, and I give the same and their heirs executor, administrators and essence for ever and totally. I do constitute and appoint my friend, Burrel Segars and Duncan Leslie executors of this my last will and testament by me heretofore made in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this third day of August 1846.
Signed, sealed and delivered in the presents of:
Alfred Paree
Wm. W. Hudson
Duncan Nakolson

John Hales (Hailes) was born in Darlington County, South Carolina in 1786. After his mother died in about 1805, John and his two brothers, Henry and Alexander, and his sister, Syntha Thomas, moved west to the Mississippi Territory. Henry and Alexander settled in Wayne and Clarke Counties, Mississippi. John served in the war of 1812. He was a private in Captain James Green's company of infantry, Mississippi Territory militia and appears on that companies payroll for December 28, 1814, but did not commence service until January 28, 1815. Term of service charged, 2 months, 4 days, pay per month 8 dollars. Remarks on this paper are as follows:
"The traveling allowance is calculated at 350 miles from New Orleans to the counties of Adams and Wilkinson, Mississippi Territory, and the rations at 16 cents."
He received his pay in New Orleans on March 31, 1815. He then went back to Washington Conty and was again in Captain James Green's company for the purpose of guarding British prisoners. His service time expired July 27, 1815. He then settled in Franklin County for about one year, because he was one of the tax payers in that county in 1816. He probably was married twice and married in about 1815. In the 1820 census records John Hailes was in Amite County, Mississippi and had 3 boys under 10 years of age and 1 girl under 10. In 1840 he was in Livingston Parish, Louisiana and 5 children were still at home. Some of the older children had undoubtedly married and remained in Amite County. There was a William B. Hales who joined the East Fork Baptist Church in Amite County in 1840, but was excommunicated in 1844 for drinking too much and quarreling.
Henry Jackson Hailes was on a farm next to his father in Louisiana in 1840. He had been married about six years and he and Elizabeth had four children. Between 1840 and 1850 John Hailes and Henry Jackson Hailes moved to Smith County, Mississippi where two of the Hailes boys were already living.
The 1850 census for Polkville, Smith, Mississippi is as follows:
House number 20.
Henry Jackson Hailes, 35
Elizabeth, 35
Saldna, 15
Mary, 13
Matilda, 8
Henry, 17
Abel, 6
Westley, 4
Hugh, 3
Jackson, 1

House number 22.
John Hailes, 64
Rachael, 58
Leathia, 25
Noel, 22
Lacy, 18
William, 16
Legbome(?), 1

House number 23.
John C. Hailes, 37
Nancy, 37
John, 15
Lacy, 14
Alfredia, 11
Samuel, 10
Wiley, 10
Harrison, 8
Silas, 5
Samantha, 3

House number 24
Alexander Hailes, 31
Caroline, 31
Frances, 7
Maria, 5
Elizabeth, 4
John, 2
Almeda, 1

These Hailes families in the Polkville community in Smith County, Mississippi probably attended the Piney Grove Baptist Church there. There are three old cemeteries near Polkville, either one of which might have been the burial place of the Hailes families. John Hailes died on August 19, 1859. His grave has recently been located by Glenn Hales of Biloxi, Mississippi near Polkville Community in an old Hailes family cemetery.
Ten years later, the Smith County Census of 1860 is as follows:
House number 577.
Elizabeth Hailes, 45
Abel D., 15
Wesley, 14
Huey 13,
Jackson, 11
Louis, 10
Frankie (boy), 7
Cynitha, 5
Willis, 2

House number 579.
John C. Hailes, 47
Nancy, 48
Elizabeth, 22
Almeda, 20
Wiley, 18
Samuel, 18
Harrison, 16
Silas, 14
Samantha, 12
Jane, 9
Lacy Hailes (mother), 68
Lacy A. Kane, 26
Margaret Kane, 5

House number 795.
Alexander Hailes, 41
Caroline, 41
Frances M., 17
Mary M., 15
Elizabeth, 13
John C., 11
Almeda, 10
Noel W., 8
William D., 6
Thomas J., 4
Martha M., 2
Peter A., 2/12

House number 800.
Wiley H. Hales, 37
Lorina, 25
Mansel G., 11
Charles J., 9
Amanda I., 7
Susanna, 3
James L., 5
Mary R., 1

Henry Jackson HALES
Born 1815 in Mississippi, probably in Amite County, the son of John HALES and Rachael ... Married about 1833 Elizabeth HARTLEY. Henry Jackson Hales died 29 JUL 1859 in Smith County, Mississippi. Elizabeth HARTLEY died about 1867 in Mississippi.
Children:
M- Henry C. HALES; born 20 APR 1834 in Mississippi and of Smith County, Mississippi in 1850.
F- Selina HALES; born 7 MAY 1835 in Mississippi and of Smith County, Mississippi in 1850; died 30 SEP 1859.
F- Susanna HALES; born 9 DEC 1837; died 17 AUG 1845.
F- Mary HALES; born 9 NOV 1839 in Louisiana and of Smith County, Mississippi in 1850.
F- Matilda Caroline HALES; born 9 NOV 1841 in Mississippi and of Smith County, Mississippi in 1850.
M- Abel Dennis HALES; born 10 DEC 1844 in Mississippi and of Smith County, Mississippi in 1850; married (1) 1869 Amanda CALVERT, (2) Nancy EVANS; died APR 1917.
M- Wesley Wooddal HALES; born 24 AUG 1846 in Smith County, Mississippi and of Smith County, Mississippi in 1850; married 21 APR 1870 Martha Ann CALVERT; died 1 SEP 1917.
M- Hugh HALES; born 7 APR 1848 in Mississippi and of Smith County, Mississippi in 1850; married 1870 Nancy McKEE.
M- Jackson HALES; born 15 NOV 1849 in Mississippi and of Smith County, Mississippi in 1850.
M- George M. "Lewis" HALES; born 30 NOV 1851 of Polkville, Smith, Mississippi; married 1874 Susan Armender BUTLER; died 1918.
M- Franky "Dutch" HALES; born 28 AUG 1853; died 1929.
F- Sintha Mahala HALES; born 27 ... 1855; married 1879 Enoch PERRY.
M- Willis Henry HALES; born 1858; married 1883 Mollie Ellen HOUGH.

Henry Jackson Hales or Hailes took sick on July 20, 1859, probably of some kind of fever, and died on the 29th of that month. He died at his residence in Smith County, Mississippi.
Elizabeth wrote: "Jackson Hales in the 46 year of his age. The deceased was born and raised in this state, lived an exemplary life and leaves a wife and children and a large number of kindred to mourn his untimely loss."
Elizabeth continued to live in Smith County. During the Civil War at least three of the boys went to the war: Henry C. Hales; Abel Dennis Hales; and Wesley Woodall Hales. Elizabeth died in about 1867 in Mississippi. All the children, along with other families, moved to Texas in about 1868 or 1869.
Wesley Woodall Hales was the seventh child of Henry Jackson and Elizabeth Hartley Hales. He was born August 24, 1846 in Smith County, Mississippi. His father having died when he was only twelve years old, he had to help support the family. He grew to be a tall man with brown hair, sharp clear blue eyes. He wore a mustache as did most men of his day.
At the start of the Civil War he was too young to enlist under his own name, but he went for another man. The man gave him a horse in payment for serving two years, but the Yankees took the horse long before the two years were up, so he had nothing for his service. After those two years he enlisted in his own name in Campany A, Yerger's Regiment of Cavalry.
By 1864 the Confederate armies were in bad shape. Many times the soldiers went for days without food or water. One day Wesley's company came upon a deserted Yankee camp. They found some food but not nearly enough for the entire company. As Wesley was walking across the camp site, one place gave to his weight and sounded hollow. When they dug there they found an underground storage with hams, potatoes and flour. Many of the boys had worn out their shoes and their feet were bruised and sore. Wesley found a beautiful white silk scarf which undoubtably had been given to a soldier by his sweetheart, but when one of the boys foot was badly cut he did not hesitate to use it as a bandage.
After the war and after his mother died, Wesley and his brothers and two sisters moved to Texas along with some other families. They first settled in Polk County, where he met Martha Ann Calvert. Martha Ann had come to Texas about 1857 from Alabama. Wesley and Martha Ann were married April 21, 1870. Soon after they moved to Tyler County where some of the older of their children were born. In 1879 he traded a yoke of oxen for one hundred and sixty acres of land in Angelina County near the Neches River. Later he bought (from the state of Texas and recorded as the W. W. Hales survey) some six hundred acres on Renfro Prairie and built a big home with a hall and wide porches. He planted a nice fruit orchard where his children with neighbor children spent many happy hours. The fruit that was not eaten fresh was either preserved, dried or pickled and stored in huge crocks for the winter. He had a large barn which was always full and people in need were welcome to get food there. He raised horses and at one time paid fourteen hundred dollars for a big white breeding stallion. Each of his children had a horse and saddle. For many years he carried the mail from Burke to the post office near his home in Lay, Texas. The community is now known as Beaulah Community.
Wesley was a religious man and was a faithful member at Pine Grove Baptist Church. He helped to build the first building at the church. It was built of logs and had a big fireplace and served also as a school.
The 1880 census for Angelina County, Texas enumerates this family:
House number 218.
Wesley Hales, 34, born Mississippi, farm/rancher
Marthy, 30, wife, born Alabama
Newton, 8, born Texas
Marthy, 4, born Texas
McCutchen, 2, born Texas
Dennis, 9/12, born Texas

James Wesley Hales, the oldest child, was not listed because he was in Tyler County with his grandmother Calvert, and is listed on the census for that county. He was nine years old in 1880.
The family grouping for the Wesley Woodall and Martha Ann Calvert Hales family is as follows:
Wesley Woodall HALES
Born 24 AUG 1846 in Smith County, Mississippi and of Smith County, Mississippi in 1850 the son of Henry Jackson HALES and Elizabeth HARTLEY. Married 21 APR 1870 Martha Ann CALVERT in Polk County, Texas. She was born 5 MAR 1849 in Hancock County, Alabama the daughter of John W. CALVERT and Elizabeth McCUTCHEN. Wesley Woodall HALES died 1 SEP 1917 in Angelina County, Texas. His wife died 1 SEP 1900 in Angelina County, Texas.
Children:
M- James Wesley HALES; born 18 DEC 1871 in Tyler County, Texas; married 27 OCT 1897 Mary Etta DuBOSE; died in 1917.
M- Newton Joshua HALES; born 7 MAY 1872 in Tyler County, Texas; married 4 DEC 1899 Leah THOMPSON; died in 1921.
F- Martha Melinda HALES; born 20 JAN 1876 in Tyler County, Texas; married 10 AUG 1896 Thomas Riley DuBOSE; died 21 MAY 1944.
M- Aaron McCutchen HALES; born 31 OCT 1877 in Angelina County, Texas; married 13 DEC 1902 Besse GEORGE; died in 1952.
M- Abel Dennis HALES; born 30 AUG 1879 in Angelina County, Texas; married 29 DEC 1901 Frankie NEWBERRY; died in 1934.
M- Johnnie Berry HALES; born 17 OCT 1881 in Angelina County, Texas; married 30 NOV 1904 Emma FOSTER; died in 1933.
F- Rosie Ester HALES; born 19 NOV 1883 in Angelina County, Texas; married 14 NOV 1904 John Perrie GEORGE.
M- Albert Clinton HALES; born 1 NOV 1885 in Angelina County, Texas; married 2 JAN 1918 Bessie PARTEN; died in 1936.
M- Job HALES; born 8 AUG 1887 in Angelina County, Texas.

The eleven children, born to Wesley and Martha Ann, can be found in our Hales Book and are not listed here.
Martha Ann Hales died September 1, 1900. Wesley lived seventeen more years. He died from blood poisoning September 3, 1917.
From the Lufkin Daily News: September 3, 1917: "Mr. Wesley Hales, one of Angelina's oldest and most highly respected citizens, died at the home of his son-in-law, Peri George, on Saturday morning, September first and his remains were laid to rest at Prairie Grove the same afternoon."
Among the expressions of sympathy was this resolution of respect:
Whereas: Almighty God in his Divine Wisdom has summoned from his labors here on earth, W. W. Hales, the father of our own brother A. D. Hales, that he might dwell in bright mansions above, and
Whereas: We realize that our brother has lost a kind and devoted father, and the country a good and true citizen, therefore
Be it resolved: By the members of Diboll Lodge Number 304, Knights of Pythias, that we extend our brother our heartfelt sympathy in this hour of deep sorrow, and
Be it further resolved: That a copy of this resolution be given our brother, and also spread on the minutes of this lodge.

[scotth89]

I like the copy of the will of Silas Hales, it's interesting to read their thought process from back then.

[Mastro]

Transplanted Cajun

My understanding is that the word cajun is derived from the word Canadian and came about when many the French Canadians emigrated to LA when it was under the control of France..

[rubydog]

3/4 Irish 1/4 Choctaw Indian

We like to drink but not very good at it...