William Henry Jarvis "Billy" Fergusson was a son of Robert Jefferson Fergusson and Virginia V. Reamy. He married Sarah Alexander "Sallie" Adcock on 28-Sep-1876, in LaGrange, Fayette County, TX.
They were the parents of:
Robert Jeff Fergusson
David E. Fergusson
Charles Johnson "Charlie" Fergusson
Luther Guy Fergusson
Callie May Fergusson Tyler
Maggie Roberta Fergusson Moore
Infant Son Fergusson, b & d. 1893
Lenard Theodore Fergusson
Infant Daughter Fergusson.
Infant Daughter Fergusson
William Henry Jarius/Jarvis "Billy" Fergusson was born near Hannibal, Marion County, MO.
Billy's grandfather, William Kenner Fergusson owned land west of Palmyra in Marion County, MO. William Kenner Fergusson had left Richmond County, VA, following the death of his father, William Fergusson, who was a Pvt. in the Revolutionary War.
Billy's parents were Robert Jefferson Fergusson and Virginia V. (Reamy) Fergusson. Billy was a contemporary and perhaps a neighbor of Samuel Clements alias Mark Twain.
In the fall of 1859 as an almost five year-old lad, Billy accompanied his parents, older sister Mary E., and younger sister Sarah Virginia to Fayette County, TX.
Can you imagine traveling that far in a covered wagon during the fall and winter with only the protection of a covered wagon? When his father Robert Jefferson Fergusson, left to fight in the Civil War, William Henry had to assume the responsibilities of the man of the house.
Illness sent Robert Jefferson home from fighting--but it did not prevent his being assigned the responsibility of hauling water for all of the husbandless families in his neighborhood. Perhaps they hauled water from the Colorado River which flows through Fayette County. Billy helped his father haul water on an ox-drawn sled. Robert Jefferson cautioned his son never to put his hand near the edge of the sled, but one day Billy forgot in his effort to stay upright on the sled. Most of the skin was pulled from his left hand and muscles were damaged. Never did Billy recover full use of that hand and never could he completely straighten his hand.
Great-Granddad Fergusson used to tell about hearing the cannons from the Civil War from their home. There is a Civil War Battle monument on the outskirts of LaGrange in Fayette County. The battles of the Civil War were really closer to our family than I realized as a child.
After Great-Granddad became blind, he went to live with his oldest son, Robert Jeff --my grandfather. My grandmother, Ida Rose Anna Grisham Fergusson was ill. Blindness prevented Billy's being able to do any tasks with the exception of shelling beans and peas. I was too young to be very useful. As a result, we spent many hours together. He enjoyed telling stories and I enjoyed listening. This was what prompted my early interest in genealogy.
Robert Jefferson Fergusson died Sept. 8, 1867. I had always assumed that his early death was the result of the illness which sent him home from the Civil War. However, a yellow fever epidemic broke out in Fayette County, TX, in August, 1867, and reduced the population of the county by 25%, so it is quite possible that our Robert Jefferson was a victim of yellow fever.
At the age of 12 ½ Billy had the complete and permanent responsibility of head of the household. When Frankie Golightly interviewed Billy only weeks before his death in November, 1950, for her "Personality" newspaper column, Billy reported that he had reared two families--his father's and his own.
His mother, the widowed, Virginia V. (Reamy) Fergusson came with her family to Hamilton County, TX. At the time of her death 28 January, 1914, Virginia was living with her daughter, Sarah Virginia Fergusson Chumney and her husband, George Washington Chumney in the Gum Branch community in Hamilton County. Virginia was buried in an unmarked grave in Preacher Cemetery in Hamilton County. In 1994 a memorial marker for Virginia was placed in the Pottsville Cemetery, beside the grave of her son, William Henry Jarius/Jarvis Fergusson.
Billy married Sarah Alexander "Sallie" Adcock on September 28, 1876, in Fayette County in a double wedding with Sallie's brother, Robert Alexander Adcock, who married Martha Ellen "Mattie" Brown. The two couples were married in the Brown's home after Sunday dinner and went to church that evening. Sally was the youngest daughter of Johnson Adcock and Cynthia Lucinda (Collier) Adcock.
Billy and Sallie moved to Falls County, McLennan County, and Bell County before arriving in Hamilton County, TX im 1890, with their extended family which included Billy's mother Virginia V. (Reamy) Fergusson.
Billy leased a farm at Blue Ridge from J. D. Hunt in 1890. J. D. Hunt was John Dillard Hunt who had extensive land holdings along the Cowhouse Creek which flows through Hamilton County. After the Hamilton County Courthouse burned in February, 1886, Mr. Hunt encouraged the discontent of the Hamilton County residents who lived along the southwestern border of the county. He proposed building a new courthouse on his property near Shive, in a new town--Pegtown. There almost was a Pegtown because the vote was close. Hamilton County Commissioners preserved the countyseat by bargaining with the discontents to move the county line seven miles north allowing part of the original Hamilton County to become part of the new Mills County which was created in 1887.
In 1895 Billy bought property and moved his family to Pottsville. Being a very industrious person Billy literally ran up and down his mountain as he erected a fence around his farm, and cleared and cultivated land.
On a visit to Fayette County to see his older sister, Mary E. "Molly" Fergusson Phillips, Billy made a decision which he would regret for the remainder of his life. Molly's daughter Evaline "Eva" Phillips was ill and her family could not afford medical care. Billy decided to bring Eva back to Pottsville so that he could provide the needed medical care. When Eva died in 1904, none of her family was able to come to her funeral. Unfortunately as Sallie was taking care of Billy's niece, Sallie also contracted T.B. and died in June, 1910. Billy was distraught and could never face returning to visit his sister in Fayette County.
Until April, 1944, Billy walked about a mile to Pottsville every day to pick up his mail which always included a newspaper. On the eve of Easter Sunday, a tornado swept through Hamilton County. A neighbor was killed, many homes were destroyed. The Church of Christ at Pottsville was destroyed, and Billy's home was shifted partially off its foundation. In the rush to the storm cellar, Billy left his glasses on the kitchen table. The kerosene lamp remained unscarred on the kitchen table, but the glasses were never found. This was he traumatic incident which triggered the rapid advent of Macula Degeneration (my diagnosis) in Billy.
Unable to see Billy sold his farm at Pottsville and moved to Blue Ridge to the home of my grandparents, Jeff and Ida Fergusson, where he remained until becoming bedfast. His last few months were spent at Littleville with his son and daughter-in-law--Charles Johnson and Lizzie (Watson) Fergusson.
1870 Census, Texas
Household Role Gender Age Birthplace
Virginia Fergusson F 35 Virginia
Mary Fergusson F 17 Missouri
Wm Fergusson M 15 Missouri
Sallie Fergusson F 12 Missouri
Thomas Fergusson M 8 Texas
Rachael Fergusson F 6 Texas
1880 Falls County, TX
Household Gender Age
Parent W. H. Furgason M 25
Parent S. A. Furgason F 19
Child Robt. J. Furgason M 2
Child Dave E. Furgason M 5M
Mother Virginia Furgason F 45
Brother Thomas G. Furgason M 16
Sister Rachael M. Furgason F 13
1900 Hamilton County Census
Household Gender Age
Parent William Fergusson M
Parent Sallie A Fergusson F
*Robert J Fergusson M
**David E Fergusson M
Luther G Fergusson M
Callie M Fergusson F
Magie B Fergusson F
Lenard T Fergusson M
*Also listed in his own home with wife and son.
**David died in 1885. As long as his mom was living, he was included in the census.
1910 Census, Justice Precinct 7, Hamilton County, TX
Household Gender Age Birthplace
SELF William H Fergusson M 55y Missouri
WIFE Sallie A Fergusson F 49y Mississippi
DAU Callie M Fergusson F 23y Texas
SON Leonard T Fergusson M 14y Texas
They were the parents of:
Robert Jeff Fergusson
David E. Fergusson
Charles Johnson "Charlie" Fergusson
Luther Guy Fergusson
Callie May Fergusson Tyler
Maggie Roberta Fergusson Moore
Infant Son Fergusson, b & d. 1893
Lenard Theodore Fergusson
Infant Daughter Fergusson.
Infant Daughter Fergusson
William Henry Jarius/Jarvis "Billy" Fergusson was born near Hannibal, Marion County, MO.
Billy's grandfather, William Kenner Fergusson owned land west of Palmyra in Marion County, MO. William Kenner Fergusson had left Richmond County, VA, following the death of his father, William Fergusson, who was a Pvt. in the Revolutionary War.
Billy's parents were Robert Jefferson Fergusson and Virginia V. (Reamy) Fergusson. Billy was a contemporary and perhaps a neighbor of Samuel Clements alias Mark Twain.
In the fall of 1859 as an almost five year-old lad, Billy accompanied his parents, older sister Mary E., and younger sister Sarah Virginia to Fayette County, TX.
Can you imagine traveling that far in a covered wagon during the fall and winter with only the protection of a covered wagon? When his father Robert Jefferson Fergusson, left to fight in the Civil War, William Henry had to assume the responsibilities of the man of the house.
Illness sent Robert Jefferson home from fighting--but it did not prevent his being assigned the responsibility of hauling water for all of the husbandless families in his neighborhood. Perhaps they hauled water from the Colorado River which flows through Fayette County. Billy helped his father haul water on an ox-drawn sled. Robert Jefferson cautioned his son never to put his hand near the edge of the sled, but one day Billy forgot in his effort to stay upright on the sled. Most of the skin was pulled from his left hand and muscles were damaged. Never did Billy recover full use of that hand and never could he completely straighten his hand.
Great-Granddad Fergusson used to tell about hearing the cannons from the Civil War from their home. There is a Civil War Battle monument on the outskirts of LaGrange in Fayette County. The battles of the Civil War were really closer to our family than I realized as a child.
After Great-Granddad became blind, he went to live with his oldest son, Robert Jeff --my grandfather. My grandmother, Ida Rose Anna Grisham Fergusson was ill. Blindness prevented Billy's being able to do any tasks with the exception of shelling beans and peas. I was too young to be very useful. As a result, we spent many hours together. He enjoyed telling stories and I enjoyed listening. This was what prompted my early interest in genealogy.
Robert Jefferson Fergusson died Sept. 8, 1867. I had always assumed that his early death was the result of the illness which sent him home from the Civil War. However, a yellow fever epidemic broke out in Fayette County, TX, in August, 1867, and reduced the population of the county by 25%, so it is quite possible that our Robert Jefferson was a victim of yellow fever.
At the age of 12 ½ Billy had the complete and permanent responsibility of head of the household. When Frankie Golightly interviewed Billy only weeks before his death in November, 1950, for her "Personality" newspaper column, Billy reported that he had reared two families--his father's and his own.
His mother, the widowed, Virginia V. (Reamy) Fergusson came with her family to Hamilton County, TX. At the time of her death 28 January, 1914, Virginia was living with her daughter, Sarah Virginia Fergusson Chumney and her husband, George Washington Chumney in the Gum Branch community in Hamilton County. Virginia was buried in an unmarked grave in Preacher Cemetery in Hamilton County. In 1994 a memorial marker for Virginia was placed in the Pottsville Cemetery, beside the grave of her son, William Henry Jarius/Jarvis Fergusson.
Billy married Sarah Alexander "Sallie" Adcock on September 28, 1876, in Fayette County in a double wedding with Sallie's brother, Robert Alexander Adcock, who married Martha Ellen "Mattie" Brown. The two couples were married in the Brown's home after Sunday dinner and went to church that evening. Sally was the youngest daughter of Johnson Adcock and Cynthia Lucinda (Collier) Adcock.
Billy and Sallie moved to Falls County, McLennan County, and Bell County before arriving in Hamilton County, TX im 1890, with their extended family which included Billy's mother Virginia V. (Reamy) Fergusson.
Billy leased a farm at Blue Ridge from J. D. Hunt in 1890. J. D. Hunt was John Dillard Hunt who had extensive land holdings along the Cowhouse Creek which flows through Hamilton County. After the Hamilton County Courthouse burned in February, 1886, Mr. Hunt encouraged the discontent of the Hamilton County residents who lived along the southwestern border of the county. He proposed building a new courthouse on his property near Shive, in a new town--Pegtown. There almost was a Pegtown because the vote was close. Hamilton County Commissioners preserved the countyseat by bargaining with the discontents to move the county line seven miles north allowing part of the original Hamilton County to become part of the new Mills County which was created in 1887.
In 1895 Billy bought property and moved his family to Pottsville. Being a very industrious person Billy literally ran up and down his mountain as he erected a fence around his farm, and cleared and cultivated land.
On a visit to Fayette County to see his older sister, Mary E. "Molly" Fergusson Phillips, Billy made a decision which he would regret for the remainder of his life. Molly's daughter Evaline "Eva" Phillips was ill and her family could not afford medical care. Billy decided to bring Eva back to Pottsville so that he could provide the needed medical care. When Eva died in 1904, none of her family was able to come to her funeral. Unfortunately as Sallie was taking care of Billy's niece, Sallie also contracted T.B. and died in June, 1910. Billy was distraught and could never face returning to visit his sister in Fayette County.
Until April, 1944, Billy walked about a mile to Pottsville every day to pick up his mail which always included a newspaper. On the eve of Easter Sunday, a tornado swept through Hamilton County. A neighbor was killed, many homes were destroyed. The Church of Christ at Pottsville was destroyed, and Billy's home was shifted partially off its foundation. In the rush to the storm cellar, Billy left his glasses on the kitchen table. The kerosene lamp remained unscarred on the kitchen table, but the glasses were never found. This was he traumatic incident which triggered the rapid advent of Macula Degeneration (my diagnosis) in Billy.
Unable to see Billy sold his farm at Pottsville and moved to Blue Ridge to the home of my grandparents, Jeff and Ida Fergusson, where he remained until becoming bedfast. His last few months were spent at Littleville with his son and daughter-in-law--Charles Johnson and Lizzie (Watson) Fergusson.
1870 Census, Texas
Household Role Gender Age Birthplace
Virginia Fergusson F 35 Virginia
Mary Fergusson F 17 Missouri
Wm Fergusson M 15 Missouri
Sallie Fergusson F 12 Missouri
Thomas Fergusson M 8 Texas
Rachael Fergusson F 6 Texas
1880 Falls County, TX
Household Gender Age
Parent W. H. Furgason M 25
Parent S. A. Furgason F 19
Child Robt. J. Furgason M 2
Child Dave E. Furgason M 5M
Mother Virginia Furgason F 45
Brother Thomas G. Furgason M 16
Sister Rachael M. Furgason F 13
1900 Hamilton County Census
Household Gender Age
Parent William Fergusson M
Parent Sallie A Fergusson F
*Robert J Fergusson M
**David E Fergusson M
Luther G Fergusson M
Callie M Fergusson F
Magie B Fergusson F
Lenard T Fergusson M
*Also listed in his own home with wife and son.
**David died in 1885. As long as his mom was living, he was included in the census.
1910 Census, Justice Precinct 7, Hamilton County, TX
Household Gender Age Birthplace
SELF William H Fergusson M 55y Missouri
WIFE Sallie A Fergusson F 49y Mississippi
DAU Callie M Fergusson F 23y Texas
SON Leonard T Fergusson M 14y Texas
William Henry Jarvis "Billy" Fergusson was a son of Robert Jefferson Fergusson and Virginia V. Reamy. He married Sarah Alexander "Sallie" Adcock on 28-Sep-1876, in LaGrange, Fayette County, TX.
They were the parents of:
Robert Jeff Fergusson
David E. Fergusson
Charles Johnson "Charlie" Fergusson
Luther Guy Fergusson
Callie May Fergusson Tyler
Maggie Roberta Fergusson Moore
Infant Son Fergusson, b & d. 1893
Lenard Theodore Fergusson
Infant Daughter Fergusson.
Infant Daughter Fergusson
William Henry Jarius/Jarvis "Billy" Fergusson was born near Hannibal, Marion County, MO.
Billy's grandfather, William Kenner Fergusson owned land west of Palmyra in Marion County, MO. William Kenner Fergusson had left Richmond County, VA, following the death of his father, William Fergusson, who was a Pvt. in the Revolutionary War.
Billy's parents were Robert Jefferson Fergusson and Virginia V. (Reamy) Fergusson. Billy was a contemporary and perhaps a neighbor of Samuel Clements alias Mark Twain.
In the fall of 1859 as an almost five year-old lad, Billy accompanied his parents, older sister Mary E., and younger sister Sarah Virginia to Fayette County, TX.
Can you imagine traveling that far in a covered wagon during the fall and winter with only the protection of a covered wagon? When his father Robert Jefferson Fergusson, left to fight in the Civil War, William Henry had to assume the responsibilities of the man of the house.
Illness sent Robert Jefferson home from fighting--but it did not prevent his being assigned the responsibility of hauling water for all of the husbandless families in his neighborhood. Perhaps they hauled water from the Colorado River which flows through Fayette County. Billy helped his father haul water on an ox-drawn sled. Robert Jefferson cautioned his son never to put his hand near the edge of the sled, but one day Billy forgot in his effort to stay upright on the sled. Most of the skin was pulled from his left hand and muscles were damaged. Never did Billy recover full use of that hand and never could he completely straighten his hand.
Great-Granddad Fergusson used to tell about hearing the cannons from the Civil War from their home. There is a Civil War Battle monument on the outskirts of LaGrange in Fayette County. The battles of the Civil War were really closer to our family than I realized as a child.
After Great-Granddad became blind, he went to live with his oldest son, Robert Jeff --my grandfather. My grandmother, Ida Rose Anna Grisham Fergusson was ill. Blindness prevented Billy's being able to do any tasks with the exception of shelling beans and peas. I was too young to be very useful. As a result, we spent many hours together. He enjoyed telling stories and I enjoyed listening. This was what prompted my early interest in genealogy.
Robert Jefferson Fergusson died Sept. 8, 1867. I had always assumed that his early death was the result of the illness which sent him home from the Civil War. However, a yellow fever epidemic broke out in Fayette County, TX, in August, 1867, and reduced the population of the county by 25%, so it is quite possible that our Robert Jefferson was a victim of yellow fever.
At the age of 12 ½ Billy had the complete and permanent responsibility of head of the household. When Frankie Golightly interviewed Billy only weeks before his death in November, 1950, for her "Personality" newspaper column, Billy reported that he had reared two families--his father's and his own.
His mother, the widowed, Virginia V. (Reamy) Fergusson came with her family to Hamilton County, TX. At the time of her death 28 January, 1914, Virginia was living with her daughter, Sarah Virginia Fergusson Chumney and her husband, George Washington Chumney in the Gum Branch community in Hamilton County. Virginia was buried in an unmarked grave in Preacher Cemetery in Hamilton County. In 1994 a memorial marker for Virginia was placed in the Pottsville Cemetery, beside the grave of her son, William Henry Jarius/Jarvis Fergusson.
Billy married Sarah Alexander "Sallie" Adcock on September 28, 1876, in Fayette County in a double wedding with Sallie's brother, Robert Alexander Adcock, who married Martha Ellen "Mattie" Brown. The two couples were married in the Brown's home after Sunday dinner and went to church that evening. Sally was the youngest daughter of Johnson Adcock and Cynthia Lucinda (Collier) Adcock.
Billy and Sallie moved to Falls County, McLennan County, and Bell County before arriving in Hamilton County, TX im 1890, with their extended family which included Billy's mother Virginia V. (Reamy) Fergusson.
Billy leased a farm at Blue Ridge from J. D. Hunt in 1890. J. D. Hunt was John Dillard Hunt who had extensive land holdings along the Cowhouse Creek which flows through Hamilton County. After the Hamilton County Courthouse burned in February, 1886, Mr. Hunt encouraged the discontent of the Hamilton County residents who lived along the southwestern border of the county. He proposed building a new courthouse on his property near Shive, in a new town--Pegtown. There almost was a Pegtown because the vote was close. Hamilton County Commissioners preserved the countyseat by bargaining with the discontents to move the county line seven miles north allowing part of the original Hamilton County to become part of the new Mills County which was created in 1887.
In 1895 Billy bought property and moved his family to Pottsville. Being a very industrious person Billy literally ran up and down his mountain as he erected a fence around his farm, and cleared and cultivated land.
On a visit to Fayette County to see his older sister, Mary E. "Molly" Fergusson Phillips, Billy made a decision which he would regret for the remainder of his life. Molly's daughter Evaline "Eva" Phillips was ill and her family could not afford medical care. Billy decided to bring Eva back to Pottsville so that he could provide the needed medical care. When Eva died in 1904, none of her family was able to come to her funeral. Unfortunately as Sallie was taking care of Billy's niece, Sallie also contracted T.B. and died in June, 1910. Billy was distraught and could never face returning to visit his sister in Fayette County.
Until April, 1944, Billy walked about a mile to Pottsville every day to pick up his mail which always included a newspaper. On the eve of Easter Sunday, a tornado swept through Hamilton County. A neighbor was killed, many homes were destroyed. The Church of Christ at Pottsville was destroyed, and Billy's home was shifted partially off its foundation. In the rush to the storm cellar, Billy left his glasses on the kitchen table. The kerosene lamp remained unscarred on the kitchen table, but the glasses were never found. This was he traumatic incident which triggered the rapid advent of Macula Degeneration (my diagnosis) in Billy.
Unable to see Billy sold his farm at Pottsville and moved to Blue Ridge to the home of my grandparents, Jeff and Ida Fergusson, where he remained until becoming bedfast. His last few months were spent at Littleville with his son and daughter-in-law--Charles Johnson and Lizzie (Watson) Fergusson.
1870 Census, Texas
Household Role Gender Age Birthplace
Virginia Fergusson F 35 Virginia
Mary Fergusson F 17 Missouri
Wm Fergusson M 15 Missouri
Sallie Fergusson F 12 Missouri
Thomas Fergusson M 8 Texas
Rachael Fergusson F 6 Texas
1880 Falls County, TX
Household Gender Age
Parent W. H. Furgason M 25
Parent S. A. Furgason F 19
Child Robt. J. Furgason M 2
Child Dave E. Furgason M 5M
Mother Virginia Furgason F 45
Brother Thomas G. Furgason M 16
Sister Rachael M. Furgason F 13
1900 Hamilton County Census
Household Gender Age
Parent William Fergusson M
Parent Sallie A Fergusson F
*Robert J Fergusson M
**David E Fergusson M
Luther G Fergusson M
Callie M Fergusson F
Magie B Fergusson F
Lenard T Fergusson M
*Also listed in his own home with wife and son.
**David died in 1885. As long as his mom was living, he was included in the census.
1910 Census, Justice Precinct 7, Hamilton County, TX
Household Gender Age Birthplace
SELF William H Fergusson M 55y Missouri
WIFE Sallie A Fergusson F 49y Mississippi
DAU Callie M Fergusson F 23y Texas
SON Leonard T Fergusson M 14y Texas
They were the parents of:
Robert Jeff Fergusson
David E. Fergusson
Charles Johnson "Charlie" Fergusson
Luther Guy Fergusson
Callie May Fergusson Tyler
Maggie Roberta Fergusson Moore
Infant Son Fergusson, b & d. 1893
Lenard Theodore Fergusson
Infant Daughter Fergusson.
Infant Daughter Fergusson
William Henry Jarius/Jarvis "Billy" Fergusson was born near Hannibal, Marion County, MO.
Billy's grandfather, William Kenner Fergusson owned land west of Palmyra in Marion County, MO. William Kenner Fergusson had left Richmond County, VA, following the death of his father, William Fergusson, who was a Pvt. in the Revolutionary War.
Billy's parents were Robert Jefferson Fergusson and Virginia V. (Reamy) Fergusson. Billy was a contemporary and perhaps a neighbor of Samuel Clements alias Mark Twain.
In the fall of 1859 as an almost five year-old lad, Billy accompanied his parents, older sister Mary E., and younger sister Sarah Virginia to Fayette County, TX.
Can you imagine traveling that far in a covered wagon during the fall and winter with only the protection of a covered wagon? When his father Robert Jefferson Fergusson, left to fight in the Civil War, William Henry had to assume the responsibilities of the man of the house.
Illness sent Robert Jefferson home from fighting--but it did not prevent his being assigned the responsibility of hauling water for all of the husbandless families in his neighborhood. Perhaps they hauled water from the Colorado River which flows through Fayette County. Billy helped his father haul water on an ox-drawn sled. Robert Jefferson cautioned his son never to put his hand near the edge of the sled, but one day Billy forgot in his effort to stay upright on the sled. Most of the skin was pulled from his left hand and muscles were damaged. Never did Billy recover full use of that hand and never could he completely straighten his hand.
Great-Granddad Fergusson used to tell about hearing the cannons from the Civil War from their home. There is a Civil War Battle monument on the outskirts of LaGrange in Fayette County. The battles of the Civil War were really closer to our family than I realized as a child.
After Great-Granddad became blind, he went to live with his oldest son, Robert Jeff --my grandfather. My grandmother, Ida Rose Anna Grisham Fergusson was ill. Blindness prevented Billy's being able to do any tasks with the exception of shelling beans and peas. I was too young to be very useful. As a result, we spent many hours together. He enjoyed telling stories and I enjoyed listening. This was what prompted my early interest in genealogy.
Robert Jefferson Fergusson died Sept. 8, 1867. I had always assumed that his early death was the result of the illness which sent him home from the Civil War. However, a yellow fever epidemic broke out in Fayette County, TX, in August, 1867, and reduced the population of the county by 25%, so it is quite possible that our Robert Jefferson was a victim of yellow fever.
At the age of 12 ½ Billy had the complete and permanent responsibility of head of the household. When Frankie Golightly interviewed Billy only weeks before his death in November, 1950, for her "Personality" newspaper column, Billy reported that he had reared two families--his father's and his own.
His mother, the widowed, Virginia V. (Reamy) Fergusson came with her family to Hamilton County, TX. At the time of her death 28 January, 1914, Virginia was living with her daughter, Sarah Virginia Fergusson Chumney and her husband, George Washington Chumney in the Gum Branch community in Hamilton County. Virginia was buried in an unmarked grave in Preacher Cemetery in Hamilton County. In 1994 a memorial marker for Virginia was placed in the Pottsville Cemetery, beside the grave of her son, William Henry Jarius/Jarvis Fergusson.
Billy married Sarah Alexander "Sallie" Adcock on September 28, 1876, in Fayette County in a double wedding with Sallie's brother, Robert Alexander Adcock, who married Martha Ellen "Mattie" Brown. The two couples were married in the Brown's home after Sunday dinner and went to church that evening. Sally was the youngest daughter of Johnson Adcock and Cynthia Lucinda (Collier) Adcock.
Billy and Sallie moved to Falls County, McLennan County, and Bell County before arriving in Hamilton County, TX im 1890, with their extended family which included Billy's mother Virginia V. (Reamy) Fergusson.
Billy leased a farm at Blue Ridge from J. D. Hunt in 1890. J. D. Hunt was John Dillard Hunt who had extensive land holdings along the Cowhouse Creek which flows through Hamilton County. After the Hamilton County Courthouse burned in February, 1886, Mr. Hunt encouraged the discontent of the Hamilton County residents who lived along the southwestern border of the county. He proposed building a new courthouse on his property near Shive, in a new town--Pegtown. There almost was a Pegtown because the vote was close. Hamilton County Commissioners preserved the countyseat by bargaining with the discontents to move the county line seven miles north allowing part of the original Hamilton County to become part of the new Mills County which was created in 1887.
In 1895 Billy bought property and moved his family to Pottsville. Being a very industrious person Billy literally ran up and down his mountain as he erected a fence around his farm, and cleared and cultivated land.
On a visit to Fayette County to see his older sister, Mary E. "Molly" Fergusson Phillips, Billy made a decision which he would regret for the remainder of his life. Molly's daughter Evaline "Eva" Phillips was ill and her family could not afford medical care. Billy decided to bring Eva back to Pottsville so that he could provide the needed medical care. When Eva died in 1904, none of her family was able to come to her funeral. Unfortunately as Sallie was taking care of Billy's niece, Sallie also contracted T.B. and died in June, 1910. Billy was distraught and could never face returning to visit his sister in Fayette County.
Until April, 1944, Billy walked about a mile to Pottsville every day to pick up his mail which always included a newspaper. On the eve of Easter Sunday, a tornado swept through Hamilton County. A neighbor was killed, many homes were destroyed. The Church of Christ at Pottsville was destroyed, and Billy's home was shifted partially off its foundation. In the rush to the storm cellar, Billy left his glasses on the kitchen table. The kerosene lamp remained unscarred on the kitchen table, but the glasses were never found. This was he traumatic incident which triggered the rapid advent of Macula Degeneration (my diagnosis) in Billy.
Unable to see Billy sold his farm at Pottsville and moved to Blue Ridge to the home of my grandparents, Jeff and Ida Fergusson, where he remained until becoming bedfast. His last few months were spent at Littleville with his son and daughter-in-law--Charles Johnson and Lizzie (Watson) Fergusson.
1870 Census, Texas
Household Role Gender Age Birthplace
Virginia Fergusson F 35 Virginia
Mary Fergusson F 17 Missouri
Wm Fergusson M 15 Missouri
Sallie Fergusson F 12 Missouri
Thomas Fergusson M 8 Texas
Rachael Fergusson F 6 Texas
1880 Falls County, TX
Household Gender Age
Parent W. H. Furgason M 25
Parent S. A. Furgason F 19
Child Robt. J. Furgason M 2
Child Dave E. Furgason M 5M
Mother Virginia Furgason F 45
Brother Thomas G. Furgason M 16
Sister Rachael M. Furgason F 13
1900 Hamilton County Census
Household Gender Age
Parent William Fergusson M
Parent Sallie A Fergusson F
*Robert J Fergusson M
**David E Fergusson M
Luther G Fergusson M
Callie M Fergusson F
Magie B Fergusson F
Lenard T Fergusson M
*Also listed in his own home with wife and son.
**David died in 1885. As long as his mom was living, he was included in the census.
1910 Census, Justice Precinct 7, Hamilton County, TX
Household Gender Age Birthplace
SELF William H Fergusson M 55y Missouri
WIFE Sallie A Fergusson F 49y Mississippi
DAU Callie M Fergusson F 23y Texas
SON Leonard T Fergusson M 14y Texas
Family Members
Siblings
Children
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Robert Jeff Fergusson
1878–1954
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David E. Fergusson
1879–1885
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Charles Johnson "Charlie" Fergusson
1881–1959
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Luther Guy Fergusson
1884–1966
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Callie May Fergusson Tyler
1887–1934
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Maggie Roberta Fergusson Moore
1890–1974
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Infant Son Fergusson
1893–1893
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Lenard Theodore Fergusson
1895–1971
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Infant Daughter Fergusson
1898–1898
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Infant Daughter Fergusson
1900–1900
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