REUBEN TERRY CRAIG

The following bio was taken from page 161 of the book entitled "Rusk County History" compiled and edited and used with permission of the Rusk County Historical Commission.

Transcribed by Shirley Koym

Submitted by Gloria Briley Mayfield, Rusk County TX Coordinator

 

Reuben Terry Craig (1815-1884), son of the Reverend William and Rebecca Horton Craig, is buried in the Wright Cemetery eleven miles from Henderson off the Marshall Highway.

Reuben Terry was married to Margaret Oliver of Mississippi. Seven children were born to this couple: Annie R. (Ann), July 15, 1839; George G., April 5, 1841; Paul Bunting, November 19, 1842; Julia, June 12, 1845; Emma, August 29, 1847; Esther, January 17, 1850; and Janie, birth date unknown.

Margaret died giving birth to Esther. Reuben Terry, in a poignant letter to her mother in Tupelo, Mississippi told of his grief and begged her to understand that he wanted to keep his family together. This letter was mailed in Marshall and hand sealed, (Margaret’s grave, as well as that of Reuben’s mother, Rebecca, are said to be under the city of Marshall.

Ann, known as "Mammy Ann" because she mothered the younger Craig’s, later married Rusk Countian William "Will" Stone.

Janie married John Gray.

Emma married Rhoderick B. Perry, "Uncle Rhode." (The late R. P. "Rhode" Craig was his namesake.)

Julia married Jesse Goodlett, and after his death married his brother, Bruiser. (Emma Craig Hunt was named Emma Julia for these two great-aunts.)

Paul Bunting married Martha Jane Goodlett, sister to Jesse and Bruiser. (Mrs. E. W. Doerge is named for Martha Jane and her maternal grandmother, Martha Jane Robertson.)

We have no record of what happened to George G. and Esther. It is possible that they died in Mississippi.

Reuben Terry was a maker of fine furniture, a carpenter, and an educator. In his home community, Oakland, he taught the first school – a six-weeks summer school. At the age of forty-seven, he was serving his country in the Confederate cause under Captain William J. Ready, Company A, TVC, 5th Brigade commanded by General Samuel Henderson. He left a fine legacy.

By Mary Craig