She was Joseph's second wife, almost 30 years younger then her husband. They eloped over her mothers objections and had a long happy life together with many children.
From Renee Pierce Smelley family site
The Walker Family - Joseph and Amanda
Joe had been a widower for about four years in 1864, when he first began to notice seventeen year old Amanda Yarbrough was interested in the presence of his company.She had grown into a very attractive young lady with black hair, dark brown eyes,and olive complexion.Her mother, Frances Coker Yarbrough tried to discourage the courtship as Joe was twenty eight years older than Mandy. Since 1862 when her husband, John Swanson Yarbrough Sr., was killed in the corral by their house the responsibility of rearing a fifteen year old girl was left to her. For two years Frances ran their place with only her daughter to help her. Two sons, John Moore and James Tope, with her step-son, Lorenzo Dow Yarbrough, joined the Texas Confederate Army and fought for the South in the War Between the States.A pen near the house helped keep the calves and milk cows from straying off with the free roaming cattle. The chicken house was nearby and sometimes turkeys and ducks were on hand for special occasions. All of the chores, added to the duties the men usually performed, created quite a hardship for the two women alone. Secret meetings and long discussions had been held and on the night of May 1st, Joe rode up to the corral with two horses. He met Jim Tope, who had just returned from the war, and told him of their plans. Jim went up to the house and said, "Mandy, Joe is down by the river and he wants you to hurry. He dropped his money and the silver spilled out on the ground. He's striking matches trying to find it." Already in her riding skirt, with a few clothes packed in a valise Mandy slipped out the back door. About the time she had her side saddle on the horse, Frances became suspicious and ran to stop them. She was too late and the couple successfully eloped.They planned to ride all the way to Atascosa County, but after several hours Joe asked Mandy if they could stop and eat as he was getting hungry. With all propriety she replied, "Mr. Walker, first we'll get married then we'll stop and have the lunch I've prepared." She always affectionately called him "Mr. Walker."
Their marriage license states: May 2, 1864, Joseph Walker and Miss Amanda Yarbrough were joined together in the bonds of wedlock in Atascosa County by E. O'Brien, Chief Justice, A. C. The ceremony took place at the residence of Mr. Fest in the presence of Miss Fest and Simon Fest. The Fest Ranch was located on the Atascosa Creek two miles east of Pleasanton and they were the only friends present as the couple had eloped. After the wedding they returned to Yarbrough Bend to twenty four years of happy married life. Mandy adjusted well in the familiar surroundings as she was already well trained in the ways of frontier life. She took over her duties willingly, and with love, as step-mother to Joe's five children still at home. Josephine Walker, "Presh" was sixteen years old; James Walker, "Bud" fourteen; Thomas Walker, eleven; Callie Walker, nine; and Mary Walker was four and one-half. They calledher "Aunt Mandy."
From Renee Pierce Smelley family site
The Walker Family - Joseph and Amanda
Joe had been a widower for about four years in 1864, when he first began to notice seventeen year old Amanda Yarbrough was interested in the presence of his company.She had grown into a very attractive young lady with black hair, dark brown eyes,and olive complexion.Her mother, Frances Coker Yarbrough tried to discourage the courtship as Joe was twenty eight years older than Mandy. Since 1862 when her husband, John Swanson Yarbrough Sr., was killed in the corral by their house the responsibility of rearing a fifteen year old girl was left to her. For two years Frances ran their place with only her daughter to help her. Two sons, John Moore and James Tope, with her step-son, Lorenzo Dow Yarbrough, joined the Texas Confederate Army and fought for the South in the War Between the States.A pen near the house helped keep the calves and milk cows from straying off with the free roaming cattle. The chicken house was nearby and sometimes turkeys and ducks were on hand for special occasions. All of the chores, added to the duties the men usually performed, created quite a hardship for the two women alone. Secret meetings and long discussions had been held and on the night of May 1st, Joe rode up to the corral with two horses. He met Jim Tope, who had just returned from the war, and told him of their plans. Jim went up to the house and said, "Mandy, Joe is down by the river and he wants you to hurry. He dropped his money and the silver spilled out on the ground. He's striking matches trying to find it." Already in her riding skirt, with a few clothes packed in a valise Mandy slipped out the back door. About the time she had her side saddle on the horse, Frances became suspicious and ran to stop them. She was too late and the couple successfully eloped.They planned to ride all the way to Atascosa County, but after several hours Joe asked Mandy if they could stop and eat as he was getting hungry. With all propriety she replied, "Mr. Walker, first we'll get married then we'll stop and have the lunch I've prepared." She always affectionately called him "Mr. Walker."
Their marriage license states: May 2, 1864, Joseph Walker and Miss Amanda Yarbrough were joined together in the bonds of wedlock in Atascosa County by E. O'Brien, Chief Justice, A. C. The ceremony took place at the residence of Mr. Fest in the presence of Miss Fest and Simon Fest. The Fest Ranch was located on the Atascosa Creek two miles east of Pleasanton and they were the only friends present as the couple had eloped. After the wedding they returned to Yarbrough Bend to twenty four years of happy married life. Mandy adjusted well in the familiar surroundings as she was already well trained in the ways of frontier life. She took over her duties willingly, and with love, as step-mother to Joe's five children still at home. Josephine Walker, "Presh" was sixteen years old; James Walker, "Bud" fourteen; Thomas Walker, eleven; Callie Walker, nine; and Mary Walker was four and one-half. They calledher "Aunt Mandy."
She was Joseph's second wife, almost 30 years younger then her husband. They eloped over her mothers objections and had a long happy life together with many children.
From Renee Pierce Smelley family site
The Walker Family - Joseph and Amanda
Joe had been a widower for about four years in 1864, when he first began to notice seventeen year old Amanda Yarbrough was interested in the presence of his company.She had grown into a very attractive young lady with black hair, dark brown eyes,and olive complexion.Her mother, Frances Coker Yarbrough tried to discourage the courtship as Joe was twenty eight years older than Mandy. Since 1862 when her husband, John Swanson Yarbrough Sr., was killed in the corral by their house the responsibility of rearing a fifteen year old girl was left to her. For two years Frances ran their place with only her daughter to help her. Two sons, John Moore and James Tope, with her step-son, Lorenzo Dow Yarbrough, joined the Texas Confederate Army and fought for the South in the War Between the States.A pen near the house helped keep the calves and milk cows from straying off with the free roaming cattle. The chicken house was nearby and sometimes turkeys and ducks were on hand for special occasions. All of the chores, added to the duties the men usually performed, created quite a hardship for the two women alone. Secret meetings and long discussions had been held and on the night of May 1st, Joe rode up to the corral with two horses. He met Jim Tope, who had just returned from the war, and told him of their plans. Jim went up to the house and said, "Mandy, Joe is down by the river and he wants you to hurry. He dropped his money and the silver spilled out on the ground. He's striking matches trying to find it." Already in her riding skirt, with a few clothes packed in a valise Mandy slipped out the back door. About the time she had her side saddle on the horse, Frances became suspicious and ran to stop them. She was too late and the couple successfully eloped.They planned to ride all the way to Atascosa County, but after several hours Joe asked Mandy if they could stop and eat as he was getting hungry. With all propriety she replied, "Mr. Walker, first we'll get married then we'll stop and have the lunch I've prepared." She always affectionately called him "Mr. Walker."
Their marriage license states: May 2, 1864, Joseph Walker and Miss Amanda Yarbrough were joined together in the bonds of wedlock in Atascosa County by E. O'Brien, Chief Justice, A. C. The ceremony took place at the residence of Mr. Fest in the presence of Miss Fest and Simon Fest. The Fest Ranch was located on the Atascosa Creek two miles east of Pleasanton and they were the only friends present as the couple had eloped. After the wedding they returned to Yarbrough Bend to twenty four years of happy married life. Mandy adjusted well in the familiar surroundings as she was already well trained in the ways of frontier life. She took over her duties willingly, and with love, as step-mother to Joe's five children still at home. Josephine Walker, "Presh" was sixteen years old; James Walker, "Bud" fourteen; Thomas Walker, eleven; Callie Walker, nine; and Mary Walker was four and one-half. They calledher "Aunt Mandy."
From Renee Pierce Smelley family site
The Walker Family - Joseph and Amanda
Joe had been a widower for about four years in 1864, when he first began to notice seventeen year old Amanda Yarbrough was interested in the presence of his company.She had grown into a very attractive young lady with black hair, dark brown eyes,and olive complexion.Her mother, Frances Coker Yarbrough tried to discourage the courtship as Joe was twenty eight years older than Mandy. Since 1862 when her husband, John Swanson Yarbrough Sr., was killed in the corral by their house the responsibility of rearing a fifteen year old girl was left to her. For two years Frances ran their place with only her daughter to help her. Two sons, John Moore and James Tope, with her step-son, Lorenzo Dow Yarbrough, joined the Texas Confederate Army and fought for the South in the War Between the States.A pen near the house helped keep the calves and milk cows from straying off with the free roaming cattle. The chicken house was nearby and sometimes turkeys and ducks were on hand for special occasions. All of the chores, added to the duties the men usually performed, created quite a hardship for the two women alone. Secret meetings and long discussions had been held and on the night of May 1st, Joe rode up to the corral with two horses. He met Jim Tope, who had just returned from the war, and told him of their plans. Jim went up to the house and said, "Mandy, Joe is down by the river and he wants you to hurry. He dropped his money and the silver spilled out on the ground. He's striking matches trying to find it." Already in her riding skirt, with a few clothes packed in a valise Mandy slipped out the back door. About the time she had her side saddle on the horse, Frances became suspicious and ran to stop them. She was too late and the couple successfully eloped.They planned to ride all the way to Atascosa County, but after several hours Joe asked Mandy if they could stop and eat as he was getting hungry. With all propriety she replied, "Mr. Walker, first we'll get married then we'll stop and have the lunch I've prepared." She always affectionately called him "Mr. Walker."
Their marriage license states: May 2, 1864, Joseph Walker and Miss Amanda Yarbrough were joined together in the bonds of wedlock in Atascosa County by E. O'Brien, Chief Justice, A. C. The ceremony took place at the residence of Mr. Fest in the presence of Miss Fest and Simon Fest. The Fest Ranch was located on the Atascosa Creek two miles east of Pleasanton and they were the only friends present as the couple had eloped. After the wedding they returned to Yarbrough Bend to twenty four years of happy married life. Mandy adjusted well in the familiar surroundings as she was already well trained in the ways of frontier life. She took over her duties willingly, and with love, as step-mother to Joe's five children still at home. Josephine Walker, "Presh" was sixteen years old; James Walker, "Bud" fourteen; Thomas Walker, eleven; Callie Walker, nine; and Mary Walker was four and one-half. They calledher "Aunt Mandy."
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