Notes
Note for: James Henry, 12 SEP 1803 - 1 FEB 1875 Index
Burial:
Place: Mawhinney Cemetery on Will Higgs Farm beyond Wilson Creek
Note:
[Henry Family Tree.FTW]
James Henry (Whiskey Jim) and his brothers Robert, William and Hugh were
descendants of Scotch Irish, known as Ulster Presbyterians, immigrated to
America for conjust actions against woolen industry and against
Presbytrianism. They came by sail boat which took 10 weeks as sea. The
four brothers were hardie and survived the trip, as many on the ship did
not survive. James landed in the Carolina's.
James married Jeanett Miller. Her father was well educated and all for
history say all Henrys get their brains from Jeanett Miller. They lived
in North Carolina until Jan. 1, 1833 (Land Sale recorded in Chester
District SC pg 96. 1/1/1833)
when they came by ox wagon to Alabama and stayed 20 years. (11/15/1833
Land bought in Greene Co. Alabama)
In 1852 they came along the Old San Antonia trail and by ox wagon,
immigrated to Texas. They bore hardships and dangers of savage warfare.
This was seven years after Texas was admitted to the Union. (His brother
William was killed by Indians.) He built a place on Thompson Creek near
old Booneville. The land was fifty cents an acre. James and his son
James Jr. gave the railroad rights to build rails in Texas on his land
4400 acres, and a (labor) of 360 acres total 4760 acres.
James Henry was of stocky build, appearing almost low in stature. His
eyes were blue and his hair greyed prematurely. He was quick to act,
very talkative, and friendly. Everyone liked him and he was noted for
his hospitatility. He always served a bountiful table and every visitor
was urged to stay for a meal. Refusal to do so, was an insult to him.
Every visitor was loaded with thinkgs to take home with him. Those who
remember say that the Scotch-Irisman on Thompson Creek was quick to
respond to need and his big smokehouse, full of jars of peas, honey,
lard, sausages cooked-down and great pieces of cured meats was
continually opened and shared. But like the pitcher of Baucis and
Philemon, the store never seemed to be depelted, and often meat would
spoil before it could be used.
James Henry was also known as Flop-eared Jim. He was typically
Scotch-Irish, but he was also staunchly Southern, and the first election
after the Civil War in 1866 he resented having to take the Amnesty Oath
required of Confederates who voted. He and a neighbor Mr Pierce walked
to town . When they got there, they were forced to march down to the
polls between two lines of negroes with pointed bayonets. The farther he
got the angrier he became. His Southern, Scotch-Irish temper must have
boiled. So when the Yankee at the polls asked him how long he had been
in America, his retort was "Forty years before you was born, dom your
souls
Just before his death, ever thoughtful of his children. James went to
see each one and left each a bag containing $100.00 in gold and a deed to
100 acres of land. He gave the same to each of the five grandchildren he
had reared with his own eight children. He visited his daughter
Jeannette Caroline bearing the gift. A little while after that visit,
word came that James wasn't expected to live. Jeanette and her husband
George Young, went by wagon to see him. He was dead when they arrived.
Both of them contracted pneumonia from the bitter cold ride to his
bedside, that she died within a few days. James died at 79 years of
dropsy, is in Mauhimeye Cemetary beyond Wixon Creek.
In 1821 eight Irish families came from Ireland to SC. After some time
thee they moved to Alabama. From there between 1829 and 1834, they
immigrated to Texas, settling in a wooded section west of the present
town of Benchley in Robertson County. The community became known as
Staggers Point, the name deriving from "striver" indicating a
determination to succeed. Some had settled there in 1830 and others as
late as 1833. Staggers point was a "thriving Irish town" by the time of
the Texas Rvolution.
A state historical marker reads:
"The Original Irish Settlers of Staggers Point
William Henry, Mary Fullerton, Henry Dixon, James M. Dixon, Ann McMillan,
Henry and Sarah Fullerton, Robert and Elizabeth Henry, George H.
Fullerton, John R. and Sarah Payton, Jimmie H. Rice, William Fullterton,
Hugh & Elizabeth Henry, James A. Henry, Bradford and Mary Henry Seale,
and James and Isabella Dunn."
Another Historical Marker near San Jacinto reads "Survivors of the
earlier engagements wee weith General Houston at San Jacinto. Among them
were Irish-born William McGuill, William Redmond, Walter Lambert, Daniel
Driscoll, and mrtin O'Toole of the Irish colinies west of the Guadalupe
River and Robert Heny, Edward McMillan, Benjamine Bryant, and matthew
Dunn of the Scotch-Irish of Staggers Point near the Brazos River. In all,
about one hundred Irish-born participated in the Battle of San Jacinto.
They made up about one-seventh of the Texas army.
Documentation
Chester County, South Carolina
Clerk of the Court
21st December 1827 - Deed No. 522
State of South Carolina
Know all men by these presents that I Robert Miller of Chester
District and State aforesaid for and in consideration of the love and
affection I have for my Son in Law James henry of the Same District and
State aforesaid and also in consideration of on Dollar to me in hand paid
by the Said James henry I have given granted bargained and conveyed and
by these presents do give grant bargain and convey all that plantation or
tract of land containing one hundred and ten Acres more or less being a
part of two Surveys on granted to Josiah Miller and the other to Samuel
Miller the said land is lying on the Waters of Rocky Creek and has the
following courses and distances beginning at a post Oak and running E
27.30 to a Stake S27 W25.60 to a Stake N63 W6 to a red oak S27 W30 60 to
a stake N79 W17.60 to a post oak N70 W16.10 to a Stake N16 E9..30 to a
Black Oak E31 to a hickory N4 E27.50 to the beginning. Together with all
and Singular the rights members, Hereditaments and appurtenances to the
said premises belonging or in any wis Incident or appertaining to have
and to hold all and Singular the premises before mentioned unto the Said
James Henry his heirs and assigns for ever And I do hereby bind myself my
heirs executors and administrators to Warrant and for ever defend all and
singular the Said premises Unto the Said James Henry his heirs and
assigns against myself my heirs and against every person whom so ever
lawfully claiming or to claim the Same or any part thereof Witness my had
seal the Twenthieth day of July in the year of our Lord One Thousand
Eight-hundred and twnety Seven and in the fifty Second year of the
Independence of the United States of America
Robert Miller SS
Signed Sealed and delivered in the presence of
Robert H. Miller
Abraham White
South Caroling Chester District
Robert H. Miller appeared and made oath that he saw Robert Miller sign
seal and deliver the within deed for the users purpose therein mentioned
and that he with Abraham White in the presence of each other witnessed
the due execution thereof
Robert H. Miller
Sworn to and Signed December 21st 1827
Before me
J Rosborough, (--)
Documentation
In 1828, this petition for citizenship was recorded:
Citizenship Petitions
Chester County, South Carolina
Report of James Henry, an alien from Ireland who arrived in the united
States in the city of Charleston, S.C. on or about the month of November
1821 made for himeself to the Court of Common Pleas holden (sic) at
Chester Co. Court House on the 27th day of October 1828.
Name: James Henry
Place of birth: Loughgiel Co. Antrim N. ireland
Age: 25 years
Allegiance: King of Great Britian (sic)
Country from whence emigrated: Ireland
To settle: South Carolina
James Henry appeared and made oath that it was his bona fide intention to
become a naturalized citizen of the United States of America as soon as
possible agree duly to the Acts of Congress in that case made and
provided, and to renounce for ever all allegiance and fidelity to any
foreign Prince Potentate State and Sovereignty what-so-ever, and
particularly of King George the 4th King of the United Kingdom of Great
Britian (sic) and Ireland, whose subject he has lately been.
Sworn and signed in open court Novermber 1st, 1828.
J. Rosenborough, CC
James Henry.
The above documentation was copied from micro film obtained from Salt
Lake City, and copied at the L.D.S. Library, Turtle Creek, Dallas, Texas
by Daisy Pierce Sellingsloh, 4167 park Lane, Dallas Texas 75220
The name of the town in County Antrim is spelled Loughguile in the mape
of George Phillips, 1885. On a mape purchased in Belfast 1958, it is
spelled Loughgiel. This town is located in the northern part of County
Antrim, near town of Ballmoney.