Thomas Gillam Davenport Family

As reported by Marsha Ivey

great great great grand daughter

Thomas Gillam Davenport, son of Charles Davenport and Sarah Gary, was born in Newberry District, South Carolina, in 1808. He and his wife, Lucinda A. Jones Davenport moved to Lownes County, Alabama in 1829-1830. While residing in Alabama, their first four children were born. They were Diadema A., 1831, Sarah in 1833, William J., born in 1835 and Frances E. born in 1837. Later, when they came to Texas, Charles Caddo was born in 1839 and Emily (Emma) was born in 1844.

This family quickly became active in Texas politics. Thomas was elected Chief Justice, or County Judge, of Panola County in 1848, and was in charge of setting up Carthage as County Seat in 1848-1850. He also served as postmaster of Bethany for several Years.

The Davenport children married other hardy pioneers who had come to Texas seeking land where they could rear their families. Here, Diadema Married Henry Gary Roquemore, November 22, 1850. Nothing is known at the present of what happened to Sarah. She is not mentioned in Thomas's Will of `1870. William J. moved to Marshall. Frances E. Married Dennis C. Hill, August 9 18159. Charles Caddo married Sarah Jane Lyon, June 15 1863 and died at Marshall, Texas June 15 1915. The youngest child, Emily B., married J.W. Vincent of Panola County, January 11, 1866: and she died in 1923 in Marshall.

My great great grandparents, Henry Gary Roquemore and Diadema Davenport, reared a family of two girls and four boys, all of whom but two, married and had children in Panola County. Peter Davenport Roquemore married Matilda Malinda Harris, January 6, 1875: Henry Gary Roquemore, Jr., died young; Frances E. Roquemore married Wylie A. Hill; Thomas G. Roquemore first married Mrs. Nannie Anderson Walker, June 21, 1896, then Mrs. Aaron Moore, March 18, 1916. Lucius W. Roquemore's record is not known. Lena Lesti Roquemore married Zachoria J. P. Hill, February 16, 1881.

To Lena and Z.J.P. were born these children: Frances Adelia Hill Ivey, January 25, 1882. Jeddie Roy Hill, born J7uly 9 1890, died July 1, 1953; he married Emma Lawless. Ruth Salome Hill Jernigan Bird, first married Eppy A. Jernigan; then she married George Bird. Diadema (Dema) Hill married Charles Dick, of Houston, Texas. Zack Hill, Jr, died young. Irene (Rena) Hill Elliott married William Dale Elliott, June 5, 1913, and had one son.

Submitted by Gloria B. Mayfield, Panola Co. Coordinator