Henry married Nancy nee ROBERTS in 1836 in Benton Co., AR. To this union were born these known chidlren: William, Nancy Jane, Lucinda Louanna "Anna",Rachael Soporonia "Sophia", James Monroe, John Henry, Robert, Mary Ellen, Martha Alice, Susan, Rebecca Isabel, Matthew, Amanda, Joseph F.and Edward Caviness.

*** Note: It has been concluded, through research, that there was only one marriage for Henry Caviness. It was to Nancy nee Roberts.
***

Mancos Times Newspaper (Mancos, Montezuma (formerly La Plata) Co., Colorado
"A FEW INCIDENTS IN AN EVENTFUL LIFE
In the death of Mrs. Nancy Caviness, which occurred in this village last week, not only has a good woman and a loving mother passed away, but from among us has gone one of the few remaining pioneer women of the West. One who has been through experiences and trials, now found only in romance. The life of this woman has been one of struggle and danger, and with her dies many interesting details of the hard and bitter struggle which the early settlers passed through, fighting daily with the savage red men, in order to hold their own. Mrs. Caviness was a woman of retentive memory, and we have sat entranced for hours, listening to her graphic descriptions of the scenes of her early married life, which were spent on the Texas frontier, and to her good memory and willingness to relate her adventures, are we indebted for the few incidents, which we possess, of her eventful life.

Mrs. Caviness was born in Missouri, and marrying early, removed with her husband, the late Henry Caviness, to San Saba County, Texas. Here, in a log cabin beneath a grove of sycamores, Mr. Caviness set up his home in the wilderness with only a few neighbors, and those at some distance apart, far from any town or protection from the Indians, other than his and his wife's indomitable courage. The large stock interests of the husband compelled him to be much from home leaving the wife and her little ones alone. At that time the Comanches were monarchs of the Texas plains and looked with unfriendly eyes upon any invader of what they called their land. The fine horses of Mr. Caviness were a temptation to the cupidity of the savages and they were constantly run off by them, one by one or in bunches as they could find them. Mr. Caviness possessed at this time a thoroughbred stallion, the grandsire of the horse, "Billy Caviness," now owned by Mr. King Williams, and the Indians had tried often to secure him. At one time, Mr. Caviness was called suddenly away and thinking he would be gone only during the day he left this horse chained and locked to a large tree near the cabin. As night came on, and her husband did not return, Mrs. Caviness after feeding and carrying water to the tethered horse, who, though high spirited and unmanagable with a man, was gentle as a child in the hands of his mistress, locked her cabin carefully, put her little children in bed and sat down to watch, to wait and to worry. Night drew on and with the darkness came the savage foe intent upon securing now the prize so long desired by them. With her weapon grasped firmly, this anxious mother paced her cabin all through the dreary watches of the night, listening to the attempts of the Indians to secure the horse, knowing not what moment they would turn their attention to her and her babies. At last, just before dawn, the Indians suddenly withdrew, and soon she heard the welcome tones of her husband's voice and knew that, for that time, all danger was past. With a thankful heart she learned that the horse too was safe, the heavy chain foiling the savages.

At another time this woman was alone with her four little children, quietly persuing her daily avocations, when the wife of her nearest neighbor came flying to the house with the news that a large band of Comanches were near and destroying all in their pathway, and beseeched Mrs. Caviness to fly with her, and join the fugitives now fleeing from their homes, but she used every argument in vain. "I can protect my little babies better within these four walls than in the open country," was the reply of the brave woman, and quickly preparing for defense she in turn tried to persuade her friend to remain with her, but it was useless, the thoroughly frightened woman would go, and left Mrs. Caviness to follow the flying footsteps of her neighbors. Not so with Mrs. Caviness, dispair lent her courage and with all as secure as she could make it, she resolved to fight, if she must, and that her husband should find her in her home. Soon the flames of the burning houses of her neighbors could be seen, and she had not long to wait the approach to her own home of the savage hoard. Meeting with resistence, when not expected, the Indians became wary, and relief came before any damage was done, other than the butchery of the milk cows and capture of a few saddle horses. This brave woman was soon to learn how wise had been her decision, for, in a few short hours, the friend she had so lately seen leave her, to fly from the Indians, was brought to her to care for, now Alas! only a semblance of a woman. Scalped and mutulated she yet breathed, and her last moments were soothed by her more courageous friend, who, by her daring and fearlessness had saved herself, her children and her home.

At this time the Comanches were constantly killing and running off stock, and the owners were forced to be constantly in the saddle. One day, with a party of five others, Mr. Caviness, mounted upon his famous racehorse which we have before mentioned, started out to ride among their herds. They made camp beside a stream and, leaving one man there, rode over the rolling plains. Rising one of these billows of the prairie they sescried, coming toward them, two Indians in charge of a band of over a hundred stolen horses. Quickly deciding upon their course, they rode toward the thieves who, seeing five well mounted men, fled back over the path they had come. Mr. Caviness, not satisfied with securing the stock; loosened the lines of his thoroughbred and gave chase to the Indians. Though they had a long start, their ponies were no match for the magnificent animal of Mr. Caviness, and before many miles were covered the white man, upon his powerful hunter, was abreast of the Comanches. Before he could pull up the now thoroughly aroused horse, he found himself surrounded by sixteen more painted devils, and completely within a trap. For a moment both parties were too surprised to act, and sat staring at one another. Then a vicious looking squaw broke the spell, by making a dash at the white man, striking at him with a knife. She missed her aim, and in the moment gained, Mr. Caviness wheeled his horse about, and before the Indians had fairly recovered from their surprise, the bay stallion had carried him beyond the flight of their arrows. They gave chase and a long one it was, and though Mr. Caviness' horse was already nearly run down he easily kept kept far in the lead. Suddenly he came to a deep aroyo, and he made straight for it. The noble bay never flinched but bravely took the leap, making a jump of twenty-five feet but injuring himself so that he could only drag along, and soon the Indians overtook and commenced shooting their arrows at the man now almost dismounted. Mr. Caviness managed to keep them im check, though four arrows had pierced his body, two of which he was able to pull clear through, and reached his camp. Here the man he had left in charge came to his aid and, as he had an unmanagable broncho, he mounted behind Mr. Caviness upon the injured horse, and by fighting their way reached home, none too soon, for Mr. Caviness, weak from his loss of blood and the serious injuries he had received and from which he never fully recovered, could no longer retain his seat in the saddle, and the poor horse who had struggled so bravely was completely done up. He had run his last race, and soon died, a loss keenly felt by his master.

Amid such scenes Mrs. Caviness passed many years of her life, fighting the Indians, nursing the sick and wounded and always cheerfully aiding her husband in amassing the competence of which he died possessed. She reared a large family of children, eleven of whom survive her. In 1868 they removed from Texas to New Mexico, and soon after came to Colorado, residing in Huerfano County for a number of years. In 1879 they came to La Plata County, and settled upon the land in Thompson's Park, now owned by the eldest son James. Mr. Caviness died in this village in 1887, since which time Mrs. Caviness has lived here, making a home for her children, until they married and settled in homes of their own.

Although, after leaving Texas, she was never called upon to pass through the dangers and trials she had there incurred, she was ever ready at the call of distress, and many a sick and wounded man has she carefully and tenderly nursed back to health and strength. She was a good woman, and leaves behind her the kindliest memory in many a heart."