William Tarplin Wells

Submitted by Margaret Cooper

To the Panola Co TXGenWeb Site

William Tarplin Wells was born abt 1822 in Putnan County, Georgia and died May 18, 1880 in Panola County, Texas. He was the son of William Wells born abt 1792 in Putnam County, Georgia and Nancy Cully born abt 1796 in Maryland. They were married August 09, 1810 in Putnam County, Georgia. William Tarplin was the first child of four children born to William and Nancy. His siblings were Patricia, John L. born May 27, 1840 died July 3, 1893 Gregg County, Texas, and Osborn. William's parents had settled in Barbour County, Alabama sometime before the 1850 census, for William Tarplin was living next door to his parents and siblings in 1850 census of Barbour County, Alabama.

William Tarplin Wells married Sarah Ann Roads July 26, 1846 in Barbour County, Alabama. Their children Amanda born 1848 and Charity born 1850 in Barbour County, Alabama, Charity must have died for she wasn't in the 1860 census records with family.

1860 census of Panola County, Texas William Wells age 38 is farming in beat 8 living with wife Sarah age 32 and children Amanda age 12 born Alabama, William age 7 born in Texas John age 4 born in Texas Josephine age 3 born in Texas and Isaac age 1born in Texas. William and Sarah were born in Georgia his real estate was valued at $375.00 personal property at $300.00. He must have arrived in Texas no later than 1853 going by his son William's age. William and Sarah had two more sons James A. born January 30, 1861 and Raford Osborn born March 12, 1863 in Panola County, Texas. Isaac must have died for he is not in 1870 census.

William Wells contracted Measles in the spring of 1880 and the disease resulted in his death on May 18, 1880. Willie Ann was born after her father's death ( May 28, 1880). He is believed to be buried in an unmarked grave at Six Mile Cemetery, Panola County, Texas.

After the death of their father Amanda, John L., Josephine, and James A. moved to Gregg County, Texas in the household of Sanford Snyder (Sinder). June 10, 1880 Gregg County Census. Sanford Snider was a friend of their father from Panola County. Sometime after 1870 he moved from Panola CO., to Gregg CO.

Amanda married Sanford Snider October 20, 1888 in Gregg CO., after his first wife Hannah Edwards Snider died. They had no children. Sanford was born abt 1820 in South Carolina died June 18, 1895 Gregg Co. Amanda died June 12, 1896 Gregg CO., Texas.

William Tarplin, Jr. born 1853 died abt 1891 in Henderson County, Texas married Sara Francis "Sallie" Hillin October 23, 1873 Panola CO., born abt 1857 died abt 1891 and had moved to Henderson County, Texas. She was the daughter of Absolom Hillin and Eliza Swain. Their children are Edward born 1876, Mittie Beatrice born July 25, 1877 died Sept. 30, 1966 married April 5, 1899 James Robert Killingsworth, Sr., William born 1880, Bonner Lester born Sept. 17, 1883, Sarah Elizabeth born March 30, 1887 died 1968 married Charles Russ Pliler born Nov. 1884 died 1942, Hattie Ben born Feb. 21, 1889 died ? married Leamon Hugh Harkins born Feb. 28, 1891 died Sept. 1968.

John L. born May 20, 1855 died I think Nov. 2, 1906 buried Old Summerfield Cemetery, married Amazon Smelley January 4, 1882 Gregg CO., she was born Nov, 1856 Bibb CO., Alabama. The daughter of Wilson Smelley and Elizabeth. Their children are Joseph born Feb. 1883 died ? married Anna Rogan abt 1910, she was born abt 1883. 1910 census for Galveston CO., Texas shows him, wife, mother Amazon a widow brothers Wilson, John L. sister Beatrice and mother-in-law Catherine Rogan age 68 widow born Ireland William Tarplin born Nov. 6, 1886, twin Wilson Talmage born Nov. 6, 1886 died Sept. 29, 1932 in Dallas CO., Texas, married Nora, John L., Jr. born Sept. 1888 died ? married Matilda Ray their daughter Loella Colene born Knox CO., TX., Bertha M. born May 1890.

Josephine born 1857 in 1900 census shows her in household of brother John L. as being insane, could not find her in 1910 census.

James A. born January 30, 1861 died Nov. 14, 1917 buried Old Summerfield Cemetery, married Mary O. Smelley January 6, 1885 sister to Amazon she was born Sept. 11, 1857 Bibb CO., Alabama died Feb. 11, 1936 buried by James. Their children are Martha E. born 1886, Osborn born June 6, 1890 died Oct. 27, 1930 Dallas CO., Mary A. born 1896, Ethel born 1899 married Floyd C. Collins they had 5 children born Dallas Co.

Raford Osborn born March 12, 1863 died Dec. 10, 1935 Jim Wells CO., TX. married Nancy Elizabeth Hall July 21, 1887 Van Zandt CO., TX. She was born April 11, 1871 died March 6, 1941 the daughter of Edward Hall and Jane Tigert. I think Raford moved to Henderson CO. after 1880 census to be with his brother William which was only a few miles from where Edward Hall's farm was located. Their children are Vera Jane born Jan. 20, 1890, Lera Bell born April 15, 1892 died Jan. 23, 1953 married Samuel Roy Myers. Their daughter Marion Elizabeth born April 20, 1921 died April 9, 1989 married John Thomas Hull born October 31 1912 Gary, Panola CO., TX died Feb. 19, 1979., Edward born May 6, 1894, Iva Jean born March 14, 1900.

Raford Osborn Wells claimed to have been "Black Dutch", an euphemism for being part or all Indian. Edna Thorp, his grandaughter, described him as having an olive complexion, with black hair and a black mustache.

William served in Company C 28 Texas Calvary Confederate States of America, Col Randall division, from about 1861 through the whole war. In February 22, 1864 Henderson Fyke list shows family of W. T. Wells, seven persons entitled to relief under and act approved December 15, 1863 for the support of soldier's families. Sarah Ann Gary Wells his second wife applied for widows pension April 1914.

Sometime between 1864 and June 1867 his first wife Sarah Roads Wells died.

On June 09, 1867 William Tarplin Wells and Sarah Ann Gary Rogers married in Panola County, Texas. She was the widow of James R. Rogers with two children Mary Ophelia Rogers born 1861 died ? married Unknown Moore and Walter Travis Rogers born March 3, 1863 died Sept. 26, 1901 married Emily Catherine "Katie" Miller Jan. 8, 1886. She was born Feb. 24, 1868 died Sept. 14, 1940. Their children are Lena Marguerite born 1890, Bea born 1891, Annie born 1893, James Travis born June 3, 1895, Add Luther born Sept. 28, 1898. James R. Rogers was in Company C 11th Battalion Texas Volunteer Calvary and Infantry (Spraight's). He was wounded and transferred to Company E Sabine Pass and died March 27, 1864 at Sabine Pass, Louisiana. On August 30, 1866 Panola County Probate Court file # 534 Sarah A. Gary Rogers settled the estate of her husband James R. Rogers. They owned 100 acres 3 miles South of Carthage (SW corner Matthew Payne's head right) worth $500.00, she sold the land.

William Tarplin and Sarah Ann Gary Rogers had the following children

(1) Henry Floyd Wells born Feb. 22, 1868 died July 9, 1959 Cleveland, Liberty County, Texas married Gertie Calwell born June 13, 1894 died April 1982 both buried Cleveland City Cemetery. They had two sons M. H., Billy Joe, one daughter Anna Mae.

(2) Martin Burke born 1870 he was shot and killed sometime after 1927. He never married.

(3) Zachary Collier born Feb. 12, 1872 died 1949 married Cora McGee born Sept. 24, 1880 died 1962 both buried Mt. Bethel Panola County, Texas. Their children Bertha E. born 1898 died 1986, Jodie born 1899 died 1936, Curtis Robert born 1902 died 1987, Olivia Annie born 1904 died 1995, Veda born 1913 died 2001, Mary lee born 1917 died 2000.

(4) Columbus Alva Wells born May 18, 1874 died March 1, 1949 Houston, Harris County, Texas married Ella Loggins born October 1875 died ? Her parents were John Truitt Loggins and Sarah Elizabeth Gary. Their children Davis Durriett "Toddy" born 1899 died 1985, Olevie "Levy" born 1902, Bessie born 1904, Willis born February 11, 1906 died February 13, 1987, Hazel A. born 1909 , John L. born October 26, 1916.

(5) Nancy Elva Wells born 1875 died March 19, 1958 married Preston Loggins (brother to Ella Loggins) born Oct. 3, 1873 died Oct. 14, 1923. Their children Manilla "Nell" born 1899 died 1999, Elva S. born 1900 died 1978, Walter Neville born 1905 died 1976, Adine born 1907 died 1932, Infant son born 1908 died 1908, Avery born 1912 died 1949.

(6) Ella Martissa Wells born June 15, 1878 died Feb. 25, 1962 married Noah Lafayette Lambert born Oct. 29, 1869 died June 22, 1952. Their children Ralph born 1914 died 2000, Stacy William born 1917 died 1969, Mary Ruth born 1920 died 1998.

(7) Willie Ann Wells born May 28, 1880 died Dec.4, 1951 married Oliver Perry Vaughn Oct, 7, 1901 in Alexandria, Louisiana he was born January 11, 1876 Lauderdale County, Mississippi died June 20, 1948. Their children William Travis born 1902 died 1970, Dyral Cortez born 1904 died 1966, Dera Deal born 1905 died 1978, Oliver Duel "Tootsie" born 1908 died 1973, Lauren Denver born 1913 died 1972, Willie Opal born October 26, 1915 died January 1993. Oliver Perry Vaughn's first wife was Henritta Loggins (sister to Preston and Ella Loggins) married July 24, 1898 San Augustine CO., TX. She was born abt 1884 died 1899 San Augustine CO., TX.