Seaborn Trumbul Stapleton

  General Notes:

The Weimar Mercury, Weimar, Texas
April 23, 1915, Vol. XXVII

Editor Mercury,

My father, Wm. Stapleton moved to Texas from Florida in fall of 1837, landed at Matagorda lived there until spring where I was born Apr. 12, 1838. Went to La Grange, lived there until Dec. 1838, and settled at Borden. Bought 320 acres of land from Asa Townsend at 9¢ per acre on credit. There were 3 or 4 little log cabins where Columbus now is. The year my father's first crop, he would take his corn to La Grange to be ground. He had a little black Spanish mule. He would put his corn on him and take his gun and walk and lead him and get back home the next day. Our house was the only one between Columbus and La Grange. My father had one yoke of oxen-one of them died and he broke his land with one ox and a big white spanish cow. After awhile, we got hold of a hand mill and ground our meal at home. Father could do any kind of work-made all of our tools, harness, plows, collars, molasses mill and everything. Now he made a little hand cotton gin, and we would gin cotton to make our clothes-made a look to weave our cloth. I was 7 or 8 years before I had my first pants. Would wear long shirts. He tanned his hides at home and made our shoes. We would have one pair every winter, and we were proud to get them. There were lots of mustangs (horses) and the woods were full of wild cattle. We would kill them too keep them away from our cattle. All kinds of game was plentiful then. We had to keep a big pack of dogs to keep vermints away. We killed deer to feed them. Nine dollars was a big price for a 5 year old beef in those days. By the time I was 14 years old the country was begining to settle up and my father, John Suggs, George Quinn and Melton Lee built a little log school house near the tank in Harbert's pasture and I went to school the best part of 3 months. Mrs. Cordelia Simmons is the only one of my old school mates that I know of that is now living. I well remember the first box of matches that I ever saw. Father sent my brother John the oldest child to Houston after a load of blacksmith iron and he got a box of matches and brought them home. They were a great curiosity to us. The first cook stove I ever saw a man named Garrett brought it out here from Louisiana and my father bought it. I could tell a lot about my boyhood days, fishing, hunting running wild horses and cattle but would take up too much space. The Indians made several raids in these days, stealing horses and killed some people at Lyonsville, captured Warren Lyons about 4 years old. He (Warren) was at our house lots of times after his return home. Father was with a crowd of men that killed an Indian Northeast of Weimar near the McLeary place. The war coming on in 1861 I joined Shropshires Co. to be mustered in at Oakland but account of a crippled knee, they refused to take me, having hurt it when gathering cattle a horse falling on me. After my recovery, Bill Strait and myself went to Matagorda Co. and joined Brown's Co. Bates Calvary reg. stationed in Velasco. Afterwards dismounted and transferred to heavy artillery Co. C William Hunt, Capt. Have been a citizen of Colorado Co. all of my life except about 12 years spent in Waller Co. Texas and I expect to spend the balance of my life here. Was 77 years old April 12, 1915.

Your very truly,
S. Stapleton

(In those days school was taught 3 months of the year)

Note: The story of Warren Lyons has also been published in the book, "Indian Depredations in Texas", by Wilbarger.

Sad Death of Mr. Seaborn Stapleton Wednesday

Mr. Seaborn Stapleton, one of the oldest and best known citizens of Colorado county, passed away at the home of his son, Mr. Mike Stapleton, Wednesday, Dec 16, at 5:30 a.m.

Mr. Stapleton was born at Matagorda, Texas, April 12, 1838. In December of that year he was brought by his parents to what is now Borden, where he was brought up and where he spend all his life, except the time he was away in the Confederate Army during the war between the states, and twelve years which he spent in Waller county.

When the war broke out he went to Oakland and enlisted in the army, but being badly hurt in the falling of a horse while he was riding, he was unable to do service at that time. When he was able he went to Velasco and enlisted there.

At the close of the war he returned to Colorado County. Here he married and reared a family of eight children, who survive him and mourn his death. These children are four sons – Mike, who lives about five miles from Weimar; Ben of Rock Island; Sam who lives in Harris county; and John of Eagle Lake; and four daughters – Mrs. Edna Crowder, Katy Texas; Mrs. Annie Strane, Edna, Texas; Mrs. Sadie Davis, Waller, Texas; and Mrs. Susie Sojourner, Houston, Texas. Several of these were present during the last days of his illness.

Mr. Stapleton's death was preceded by that of his wife by several years. Since that time he has lived with his children, the last years being spent at the home of his son, Mike.

For the last two years he was almost totally blind, and for several months prior to his death was confined to his bed. During this time he made very little complaint of suffering. In fact, he died of old age, rather than of any particular disease.

About fifteen years ago he made a profession of faith in Christ, and united with the Live Oak Baptist Church in which relation he lived consistently till the day of his death.

On Thursday afternoon at 2:30, his mortal remains were laid to rest in the Borden Cemetery beside his parents and his beloved wife, on the piece of ground once owned by his father and very near the spot on which the old home stood. A large number of friends were present. Funeral services were conducted by his pastor, Rev. C. E. Dearman.

Mr. Stapleton lived a quiet, peaceful life. It is said that he never had any trouble getting alone [sic] with his neighbors. He was a food, lawabiding citizen, and a good man.

The Mercury joins a large number of friends in extending our sympathies to his sorrowing loved ones. May the God of all comfort them.

Weimar Mercury, December 25, 1925

Transcribed by Judy Talkington

  Additional Information:

• Military Service: Pvt, Capt. Robert P. Harrison's Co., Bates' Reg't Texas Volunteers, CSA, Between 6 Jan 1861 and 1865, Civil War.

Seaborn married Catherine Elizabeth Nave, daughter of Michael Nave and Rhoda Ann Rue, on 7 Sep 1864. (Catherine Elizabeth Nave was born on 16 Nov 1846 in Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky,⁴ died on 3 Feb 1914 in , Colorado County, Texas ⁴ and was buried in Borden Cemetery, Colorado County, Texas ⁴.). The cause of her death was toxalima.