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Joseph Reese/Charles Keller Reese/Stephen P. Winston/Fountain Winston/Lafayette Winston
Asa E. Stratton Woodlawn Plantations
Brazosport Archeological Society
John McCroskey League Map 1879 The General Land Office of the State of Texas
John McCroskey received title to his one league of land in Brazoria County, Texas
bordering on the east bank of Cedar Lake and west of the San Bernard River in 1824. It is
doubtful that he ever did more than the minimum to obtain the property as his interests were in
other parts of Stephen F. Austin’s colony. By 1831-1832 he had sold his entire league of land.
Joseph Reese bought the NW 2/3 of the league and built a cotton plantation along Cedar Lake.
After the death of Joseph Reese the plantation was divided up among his living sons and the
heirs of his married daughters who had deceased. His son Charles Keller Reese was executor of a
large portion of the estate and also purchased the lower SE 1/3 of the league. Stephen P. Winston
from Alabama bought 1000 acres on the northeastern corner of the league in 1852 and then
acquired the original “Old Joseph Reese Place” in the name of his father William Winston of
Alabama. Money and slaves provided by his father turned the plantation into a sugar and
molasses producer in the middle 1850’s. Stephen’s brother-in-laws Fountain and Lafayette
Winston bought the 1000 acre tract in 1856 adding land to their holdings from the adjacent
Rebecca Cummings league producing sugar with a mill and steam engine which was located on
their 1000 acre tract. Financial difficulties were prevalent with Fountain and Lafayette Winston
before the Civil War and they were forced to sell the 1000 acre tract and sugar mill to Orange
Swan, who in turn sold it in 1861 to Asa E. Stratton Sr. Stephen P. Winston was able to maintain
control of the larger 1400 tract along Cedar Lake through the Civil War but was declared
bankrupt by 1870. Lawsuits followed with his heirs only receiving a 200 acre homestead
exemption which was quickly sold. Asa E. Stratton Sr. also had severe financial problems after
the Civil War and his heirs sold out the last of their interest the plantation which he called
“Woodlawn” in 1885. The Woodlawn plantation was bought and sold several times over the
years. The original cedar log home, purchased and saved by Mrs. R. E. L. Stringfellow in1946,
was restored by Percy T. Beacroft and given an historical marker in 1983.
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John McCroskey1 was one of Stephen F. Austin’s Old Three Hundred colonists, receiving
title to one league of land west of the San Bernard River along the east side of “Cedar Lagoon”
in Brazoria County, Texas August 16, 1824. It is not evident that he ever spent much time in
Brazoria County and probably only had the minimal presence to qualify for his league of land
which required him to make improvements within two years of receiving his league. He was
active in the San Felipe de Austin area being elected third lieutenant of a company of militia
there July 10, 1824. April 1825, John McCroskey sold John Williams the lower SE 1/3 of his
league for $55 indicating very little improvements associated with this tract of land.2 By 1831-
1832 the remaining 2/3 of the league was sold to Joseph Reese by McCroskey who was now
living on the Colorado River.3 September 1829 McCroskey was made the executor of the estate
of Eli Hunter. He later married Hunter’s widow, Sarah Ann. John McCroskey was deceased by
1832, for in that year Mrs. McCroskey married William Demetrius Lacey.4
Joseph Reese age 46, sold out his interests in the latter part of 1829 in Warren County,
Kentucky and with his wife Margaret Bowman Reese, four sons, two daughters, and nine slaves
entered Texas February 1830. His sons were Charles Keller, Washington Perry, Andrew Jackson,
and William Erwin Reese. His two unmarried daughters were Eliza Jones and Ellen Jane Reese.
His married daughter, Harriet Hite Reese, who had married Dr. Christopher G. Cox with their
son and one slave also entered Texas at the same time and later settled in the town of Brazoria.
Abraham Bowman, Joseph’s brother-in-law also came with the family.5 Although the family
received title to several tracts of land in Matagorda County they settled on their recently
purchased land in Brazoria County.
In 1832 Joseph Reese was wounded at the Battle of Velasco being permanently disabled.6
It is not clear why none of his sons were combatants. However, Charles Keller Reese and his
younger brother Washington Perry Reese joined Capt. John York’s company at Gonzales and
fought at the siege of Bexar December 1835. They reenlisted in Capt. Robert James Calder’s
Company K of Col. Edward Burleson’s First Regiment, Texas Volunteers, on March 13, 1836,
and fought at the Battle of San Jacinto.7 Washington Reese was killed by Comanche Indians in
Williamson County on August 27, 1839, while serving as a guide to several families including
1 John McCroskey spelled McCrosky, McCloskey, or McClosky in many records.
2 Brazoria County Deed Records: Spanish Translation 155/57
3 BCDR: ST 229/30 This deed is not dated but sign by the 2
nd Constitutional Alcalde Juan Austin who held that
office 1831-1832. 4 “MCCROSKEY, JOHN,” Handbook of Texas Online
(http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fmc33), accessed September 1, 2012
Published by the Texas State Historical Association. 5 Willaims, Villamae, ed., Stephen F. Austin's register of families from the originals in the General Land Office,
Austin, Texas, Genealogical Pub. Co., Baltimore, Maryland, 1989 Register says the family was from Tennessee but
actually only passed through Tennessee on the way to Texas.
The Reese family is not listed in the 1826 Census of Austin’s Colony. In the McCroskey Cabin File is a letter
written by L. J. McNeil Jr. stating that his father had seen an original letter written by Joseph Reese in 1826 stating
he had recently built his home giving a description of the house. The original letter has not been located by the
author. This description supposedly matched fairly well the home on the opposite end of the McCroskey League
from Cedar Lake. The date of recollection could be in error and could possibly be 1836. It is proposed that there
were two homes, very similar in construction built at different times and built on opposite ends of the McCroskey
League neither of which was built by John McCroskey. 6 Bodie, Mary Delaney, Thunder on the Brazos, Taylor Publishing Company, 1978, p. 47.
7 Thomas W. Sutrer, “REESE,CHARLES KELLER,” Hand book of Texas Online
(http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fre19) accessed September 1, 2012
Published by the Texas State Historical Association
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the family of John Webster, whose wife and two children were taken prisoner. All other
members of the party were killed including Parker Reese, a cousin.8
Joseph and Margaret Reese’s daughter Eliza Jones Reese married Charles H. Bennet
in1830, started a family and by 1840 they were operating a hotel at San Luis Pass though short
lived.9 Their oldest daughter, Harriet Hite Reese’s husband, Dr. Christopher G. Cox, died during
the cholera epidemic of 1833. In 1835 she married Dr. Thomas R. Erwin by bond, starting a new
family in Brazoria. Harriet died in Brazoria 1840.
The Joseph Reese family built a cotton plantation on their portion of land along Cedar
Lake. According to tax records Joseph Reese owned 19 slaves in 1840 and 24 slaves by 1842.
In September 1842, in response to Adrian Woll’s raid on San Antonio, Charles K. Reese,
his sixteen year old brother William, Charles H. Bennet, and James L. Norris enlisted as privates
in Capt. John S. McNeill’s company of Col. James R. Cooke’s First Regiment of Brig. Gen.
Alexander Somervell’s South Western Army and took part in the Somervell expedition. Charles
H. Bennet and James L. Norris left due to the sickness of Norris.10
On the way back home Norris
died. In December 1840 when the army was reorganized on the Rio Grande for the Mier
expedition with William S. Fisher in command, Reese was elected captain of Company F. His
brother William and another Brazoria County resident Orlando Phelps were members of his
company.11
Reese was perhaps the most controversial figure involved in the dismal history of the
Mier prisoners. By Green’s account, Reese distinguished himself at the battle of Mier by taking
an active role in the fighting, staunchly opposing surrender, and advocating an escape plan
before the prisoners were marched south into the interior of Mexico.12
Samuel H. Walker, however described Reese’s behavior at Mier as “childish.” Walker
supposed the escape plot scheduled for February 3, 1843, was foiled by Reese’s warning the
Mexican guards, and on February 10, the evening before the uprising at Salado that precipitated
the Black Bean Episode, Reese was quoted as saying, “This can be stopped, and I will do it.” He
left the compound with a Mexican officer, and when he returned the guard was doubled. “This
circumstantial evidence,” wrote Joseph D. McCutchan, “but I think sufficient, at least, to lay
suspicion of the man who acted thus.” On May 4, 1843,Walker wrote to Albert Sidney Johnson
from Mexico City that the guards had been warned of the Texans’ intention to break out at
Salado and that “it is supposed” they were informed “by Capt. Reese of Brazoria whose conduct
has been dishonorable.” Actually according to other authors “there was no evidence to prove the
Mexicans had been informed”.13
Although Reese refused to take part in the escape attempt,
Thomas Jefferson Green claimed that “while the assault was going on he exposed himself as
much as anyone,” and after the guards were disarmed, he determined to join the escapees, but
again change his mind and surrendered to the Mexicans. Green stated that he remained at Salado
only because he failed to convince William not to risk the hazards of the journey back to Texas.
Reese, Green wrote, was “too tried a soldier and devoted a patriot to allow a suspicion either of
want of bravery or patriotism” and “a man of uncommon fortitude and daring.”14
8 Kemp, Louis W., “REESE,WASHINGTON PERRY”
http://www.sanjacinto-museum.org/Herzstein Library Veteran Biographies/San Jacinto Bios/biographies 9 San Luis Advocate, August 25, 1840
10 Texas State Archives pension applications for the Republic of Texas
11 Nance, Joseph Milton, Dare Devils All, Eakin Press, Austin, Texas, 1998, pp.478-479.
12 Green, Gen. Thomas J., Journal of the Texian Expedition Against Mier, The Steck Company, Austin, Texas, 1935,
p. 101. 13
Nance, Joseph Milton, Dare Devils All, Eakin Press, Austin, Texas, 1998, p. 215. 14
Sutrer, Thomas W., “REESE,CHARLES KELLER,” Hand book of Texas Online
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Virtually all of the Mier men were later imprisoned at Castle Perote. Thomas Jefferson
Green and Charles K. Reese joined a group of sixteen men who tunneled through the prison wall
July 2, 1843. Traveling on foot, they and two others reached Veracruz, where they found passage
to New Orleans on the Steamer Petrita. From New Orleans they returned to Brazoria on the Lone
Star.15
William Reese was released by the request of General Ampudia on March 15, 1843.
On October 18, 1843, Charles K. Reese married Miss Sarah Tait Norris. They had been
engaged before Reese left for the Somervell Expedition.
In August 1844 Joseph’s wife Margaret Reese died. The following year, November 1845,
Joseph Reese entered into a marriage contract with Anne Branham Robinson of Jackson,
Mississippi. Part of the marriage contract is as follows:
…The said Joseph Reese should the said marriage take place hereby covenants and
agrees that during the joint lives of himself and the said Ann B. he will maintain keep and support
her in such manner and style as the wealth he has or may acquire will authorize and justify and
that should the said Ann B. outlive him and be the survivor then during her life and from the day
of the date of his death she said Ann B. shall receive yearly and every year in such manner as his
estate properly managed will justify one third of the net increase of the estate of which he may be
possessed at the said day of his death, and it is understood that in ascertaining the said yearly
allowance of one third as aforesaid the said Ann B. may elect to take the Mansion House the then
place of residence of said Joseph Reese at a fair and proper valuation from year to year to be
deducted from the said one third together with such fixtures, servants and needful articles as she
may select to be valued and deducted in like manner the said Mansion House to be accompanied
with such of the surrounding lands as she said Ann B. may select for the purpose of cultivation
and from which she shall not be turned out but with her consent and said Ann B. agrees to be a
faithful obedient and true wife…16
Before Joseph Reese and his new bride had made it home to Texas, Reese died of
pneumonia, December 2, 1845 in New Orleans, Louisiana. As part of his will Joseph Reese
specified that this marriage contract would be honored:
I Joseph Reese of Brazoria County in the Republic of Texas, being now in the City of
New Orleans in the State of Louisiana weak in body but sound in mind, do make and ordain this to
be my last will and testament which I have caused to be written under my dictation as follows to
wit.
First I declare that on the 18th
day of November 1845 I entered into a marriage contract
with my present wife Ann B. Robinson previous to our marriage and I do now order and require
all and each of the provisions of the said marriage contract shall be fully and faithfully carried
unto effect according to the true intent and meaning thereof for such is my will.
Second I give and bequeath to my said wife in addition to what is given her in the
aforesaid marriage contract one hundred head of cattle and one hundred acres of my improved
land in Texas. I nominate Robert Mills of Brazoria in Texas executor….17
June 8, 1846 Ann B. Robinson Reese and Eliza Jones Bennet with her brother Charles
Keller Reese reached an agreement in which Ann would release all claim to her part of Joseph
(http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fre19) accessed September 1, 2012
Published by the Texas State Historical Association 15
Ibid. 16
BCDR: D 191/196 The Mansion House not fully described would have been located near Cedar Lake. 17
Ibid.
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Reese’s estate for $3600 with the first $1000 in cash paid up front.18
Eliza and Charles would
have to settle with the rest of the heirs later.
John McCroskey League Joseph Reese Partition January 1850
January 1, 1850 the estate of Joseph and Margaret Reese was partitioned among their
heirs. The probate court stipulated that the Joseph Reese 800 acre “Old Homestead Place” was
reserved for sale to pay off the debts of the estate. This included all the improvements thereon.
The remainder was divided into somewhat equal ¼’s with each amounting to ~500 acres. His
slaves and tracts of land in other counties were then also partitioned.19
Over the next several
years the hiring of the slaves belonging to the minors Thomas R. and Harriet Erwin would pay
for their school and board.20
Christopher R. Cox had reached twenty one by the time of the
partition and received ownership of two slaves. (See Appendix F) Charles H. Bennet as guardian
for his minor children would farm their tract and the family remained on the property for many
more years.
In 1849 William E. Reese sold his ¼ interest at $5.00/acre to his brother Charles K.
Reese in order to relieve himself of several debts he had acquired over the years and raise a little
cash.21
After seeing action in the Mexican War in 1847 he had married Henrietta Isabella
Robinson, the daughter of Ann B. Robinson Reese. They headed to the California gold rush
where William E. Reese died in 1851.22
May 3, 1850 the Old Reese Place “on which Joseph and Margaret Reese lived at the time
of their death” was sold to Dr. Henry W. Rhodes for $10,000 by Charles K. Reese and Charles
H. Bennet as Administrators of Joseph Reese’s estate per a decree by the probate court.23
That
18
Ibid. 19
Record of Wills: E 262/67 20
Probate Case 21
BCDR: E 136/38 & E 146/47 22
Reese, Charles Keller IV, “The Reese and Allied Families” 23
BCDR: E 432/34
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same month Dr. Rhodes and Charles K. Reese together bought the lower 1/3 of the McCroskey
League. Solomon Williams had lived on this tract until his death in 1845.24
It is evident from the 1850 Census that Charles H. Bennet and his children, Dr. Henry W.
Rhodes, and the Charles K. Reese family were all living in close proximity. Charles H. Bennet
would have been on his 529 acre tract, Dr. Henry W. Rhodes on the Old Reese Place, and
Charles K. Reese with his family on his 500 acre tract in a home he may have built on the eastern
end of the McCroskey League:25
Charles K. Reese 39 M KY Farmer
Sarah T. Reese 21F Ala
Mary O. 7F Texas Mary Ellen
James N. 4M Texas James Norris
Harriet C. 2F Texas Harriet Caroline
Charles S. 7/12M Texas Charles Keller
Charles H. Bennet 43M N. J. Farmer
Lewis T. Bennet 18M Texas
C. C. Bennet 15F Texas Caroline C.
C. E. Bennet 13F Texas Catherine C.
M. A. Bennet 9F Texas Margaret A.
P. B. Bennet 7M Texas Joseph Reese
R. M. Bennet 4M Texas Robert M.
Henry W. Rhodes 59M NC Physician
M. M. Rhodes 52F NC
D. C. Rhodes 21M Ala Physician
W. Taylor 25M NC Overseer
In the 1850 Agricultural Census Charles K. Reese is listed as having 100 improved acres,
$700 worth farm machinery, 2 horses, 4 mules, 100 milch cows, 8 working oxen, 500 head of
cattle, and 100 hogs. He produced 1400 bushels of corn, 50 of Irish potatoes, 600 of sweet
potatoes, 500 lbs of butter, 5 tons of hay, and 25 bales of cotton for 1849. Charles H. Bennet with
the same amount of improved acreage made 40 bales of cotton and a like amount of produce.
The 1850 Slave Census records Reese as owning 25 slaves at this time. Ten of these slaves may
have been actually owned by Thomas R. Cox and the two Erwin minors as the tax records
indicate Reese only had 15 slaves.
24
BCDR: E 413 & E 412 25
This home is now what is now called the McCroskey Cabin even though it was in all probability built by Charles
K. Reese.
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In November 1850 Dr. Henry W. Rhodes sold his plantation to his son-in-law Alexander
Ewing of Alabama.26
Alexander also purchased the 700 acre tract in the lower 1/3 of the league
along Cedar Lake.27
The next month Charles K. Reese purchased the plantation back for
$10,000.28
Stephen P. Winston arrived in Texas from Alabama in 1851 and January 1852 he
purchased a 1000 acre tract on the south east end of the McCroskey League for $10,536.76. This
included “all the improvements lately occupied by said Reese”, 300 bushels of corn, yoke of
oxen, one wagon, one grind stone and l lot of hogs.29
This did not include a 250 acre tract taken
off the SE corner sold to Burton B. Binion and on which he and his wife resided, November
1850.30
Stephen P. Winston purchased ~1300 acres along Cedar Lake including the old Reese
place “the same tract upon which the said Reese and his wife are residing”, ¼ interest in 2000
head of cattle, and 1000 bushels of corn for $20,000 from Charles K. and Sarah T. Reese,
October 1852.31
Charles and Sarah Reese would move their family to the opposite side of Cedar
Lake in Matagorda County on a piece of property Charles had purchased from Dewitt C. Rhodes
which included the plantation home of Dr. Henry W. Rhodes. Charles K. Reese died there
October 14, 1858. Sarah had preceded him in death in January 1858 and was buried in the Cedar
Lake Cemetery, where several of their young children and relatives were also buried.
Stephen P. Winston chose to live on the 1400 acre tract that included the “old Reese
place”. This may indicate the residence on the property was somewhat better than the home on
the 1000 acre tract or that the location was more advantageous. Stephen P. Winston actually had
bought the 1400 tract as an investment for his father William H. Winston residing in Franklin
County, Alabama. November 1854 Stephen deeded the property over to his father.32
William H.
Winston would continue to invest money and slaves into this plantation until his death.
26
BCDR: E 27
BCDR: E 547/48 28
BCDR: E 562/64 29
BCDR: F 200/02 30
BCDR: F 306/07 31
BCDR: F 440/41 32
BCDR: G 110/11
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Stephen P. Winston married Ann Catherine Winston, his first cousin, in 1848 and had
one child before their arrival in Texas. Ann C. Winston’s father, John Jones Winston of Greene
County, Alabama who was a veteran of the War of 1812, died in 1850. His will does not mention
his daughter Ann C. Winston. Perhaps he felt she had married well enough:
First: I give and bequeath to my wife Susan Winston my negro man John & Amy his Wife and
their four children…
Second: I give to my daughter Elizabeth Whiting the following negroes viz. Isaac & Martha his
wife & their five children Franklin, Margaret, Washington, Phoeby, and Isaac…
Third: The balance of my property of every description, real, personal, & mixed I give and
bequeath to my wife Susan Winston to hold and use for the benefit of herself & her three sons
Anthony, Fontain, & Lafayette Winston during her natural life, and at her death it is my will
and desire that Said property as so much of it as may remain be equally divided between my Said
three Sons, and if my wife Susan Winston shall think proper during her life to apportion off any of
Said property to my Said sons Anthony, Fontain, & Lafayette is my will & desire that an equal
proportion be given to each so that they may share alike in the final decision…
Fourth: I do hereby constitute and appoint my wife Susan Winston Executrix33
An inventory of his remaining property lists 24 more slaves.34
Susan Winston and her sons, Anthony, Fountain, and Lafayette also moved to Texas
~1852. Anthony Winston married that same year and brought his new bride. He had purchased a
908 acre sugar plantation in the Joseph Mims league in December 1851 and would reside there.35
In December 1852, Susan Winston purchased 666 2/3 acres in the Susan Cummings league
adjacent to Stephen P. Winston’s holdings in the McCroskey league for $3000.36
Shortly
thereafter she sold the property to her son Fountain Winston.37
Fountain Winston’s 666 2/3 Acre tract NW of 1000 Acre Tract
33
Winston Family File 34
Record of Wills: B 164 35
BCDR: F 165/67 36
BCDR: F 426/28 37
BCDR: F 442/43
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Tax records in 1853 indicate that Stephen P. Winston had 25 slaves of his own and 61
belonging to his father working his plantation. Fountain Winston owned 18 slaves and Anthony
25. The following notice was posted in a local newspaper indicating one of Stephen’s slaves was
a runaway:
$50 REWARD
LEFT the subscriber about the 15th
June last, a negro man named TOM HINTON. He is
about 5 feet 11 inches; dark complexion; about 30 years old; speaks quick, and is rather more
sensible than common. He took with him a dun Mule—no mark or brand.
The above reward will be paid on delivery of said negro to me on Cedar Lake, if caught
out of Brazoria or Matagorda County; if within said counties, I will pay $25 for his delivery.
STEPHEN P. WINSTON
Brazoria, July 25, 185438
The next year a much more serious event was reported indicating the often brutal
conditions of slavery:
…a reward of two hundred dollars is offered for the apprehension of one J. M.
Hollingsworth, who killed a negro man on the plantation of Mr. Winston on Cedar Lake, in this
county, last Saturday. Hollingsworth, who was the overseer on the plantation, struck the negro,
who was an old man, over the head several times with the heavy end of a whip for not having
properly done something that he was ordered to do. The negro lived several hours after receiving
the blows. Hollingsworth, when last seen, was crossing Cedar Lake, on his way west. If he is
arrested, he will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. 39
Although Anthony Winston, who had bought an already running sugar plantation, was
projected to produce 150 hghds of sugar in 1854, Stephen and Fountain would have to build their
production from the ground up.40
In 1854 Stephen P. Winston produced 50 hghds of sugar using
horse power and through the influx of more capital from his father he upgraded to steam power
in 1855. Anthony Winston is not listed as producing any sugar possibly due to the hurricane of
1854. In 1855 Stephen P. Winston’s plantation produced 105 hghds and his father’s plantation 90
hghds. Even though Anthony Winston produced 104 hghds of sugar in 1855, he was selling out
his place, reserving his sugar mill and steam engine for Stephen P. Winston, and moving to
another location north of Brazoria starting a cotton plantation:
FOR SALE
A FIRST RATE HORSE SUGAR MILL, with wooden wheel, &c., &c. The same can be seen
on the plantation of A. Winston. It will be sold low for Cash, or good paper.
Stephen P. Winston41
William Winston’s plantation is credited with 90 hghds in 1855 and Stephen P. Winston
on his father’s plantation with 90 in 1858.42
38
Texas Planter, October 18, 1854, Brazoria, Texas 39
The Texas Sun, March 3, 1855, Richmond, Texas &The Texas State Times, March 3, 1855, Austin, Texas. It is
unknown to the author whether Hollingsworth was ever caught. 40
Columbia Democrat, November 29, 1853, Columbia, Texas 41
Texas Planter, July 18, 1855, Brazoria, Texas 42
Champomier, P. A., Statement of the Sugar Crop Made in Louisiana in 1854-55, With An Appendix, New
Orleans, 1855
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Even though Stephen P. Winston had a heavy influx of capitol from his father he still had
a note of $6551.50 with David Hardeman in1855 to cover the cost of buying the sugar mill and
engine on Anthony Winston’s plantation for his own plantation.43
This purchase would later
come back to haunt the whole family. By 1855 Stephen P. Winston was ready to sell his personal
1000 acre tract and practice law:
FOR SALE
MY PLANTATION, situated between the Bernard River and Cedar Lake, containing
ONE THOUSAND ACRES OF LAND—150 of which are in a fine state of cultivation; and about
90 acres have a fine stand of Cane. The place is known as one of the finest Plantations in Brazoria
County. There is, belonging to the place, one of the Niles’ large Engines and Sugar Mills. Also,
Kettles, &c. &c., not yet put up.
I will also sell about 20 LIKELY NEGROES, and Mules, Horses, Cattle, Corn, &c., &c.,
with the place.
Persons wishing to buy will do well to call and examine for themselves, as I am anxious
to sell and go into other business…44
In 1856 Stephen sold his 1000 acre tract to Fountain & Lafayette Winston with all the
improvements for $28,000. The sugar mill, in construction, was located on this tract. From deed
records it was also noted that Fountain & Lafayette were already living with their families in the
residence located on this tract.45
Thereafter Fountain Winston sold ½ interest in the 666 2/3 acre
tract in the Rebecca Cummings league to Lafayette.46
Drawing by A. A. Platter
Champomier, P. A.Statement of the Sugar Crop Made in Louisiana in 1855-56, With An Appendix, New Orleans,
1856.
Champomier, P. A., Statement of the Sugar Crop Made in Louisiana in 1858-59, With An Appendix, New Orleans,
1859 43
BCDR: G 229/32 44
Texas Planter, July 18, 1855, Brazoria, Texas 45
BCDR: G 696/98 (The so called McCroskey Cabin location) 46
BCDR: G 695/696
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The original residence was a one story, “double log cabin”, a dwelling with a room on
either side of a dog trot. The home had a brick fireplace at either end of the house. The west
room had one window facing west and the east room had two windows facing east. On the south
front each log room had a center door facing south on the front porch. There was a window on
either side of each center door. A door was cut into the dog trot from each log room. On the east
side of the hallway were steps leading to an upstairs room. The cedar logs were hewn but the
flooring in the sleeping lofts and the cedar beams that support the upper floor were cut with a
saw, possibly steam driven. On the northwest side of the home was an underground brick
cistern.47
April 1857 Stephen P. Winston’s father, William H. Winston, passed away in Alabama.
He was possessed of a very large estate. As part of his will he left several stipulations for his
sons that he had already advanced money to over the years. In the case of Stephen, he was very
particular:
…to my son Stephen P. Winston my plantation in Brazoria County State of Texas on condition
that he pays to me or my Executors Ten Thousand Dollars with Interest until paid, for the
improvements put on said plantation by me for the purpose of making sugar, the money paid out
by me for said improvements was estimated by myself & my son Stephen P. at Fifteen Thousand
Dollars, one half of said sum of Ten Thousand Dollars he is to pay by the 25th
day of December
1858 and the other half of said sum he is to pay by the 25th
of December 1859. Now it is my will
that he complies with said conditions, that he have said plantation. I will to my son Stephen P. my
negro man named Billy his wife July and their children…48
As December 1858 approached Stephen P. Winston had assumed control of his father’s
plantation in Brazoria County, however, he did not have the cash to pay William Winston’s
estate. In January 1858 Stephen signed a deed of trust for $1108.97 for Robert & David G. Mills
of Galveston using the plantation, which he did not actually own, as security as well as his
slaves.49
The financial resources of all Winston family members in Texas were stretched beyond
their means. Anthony Winston was on somewhat better financial terms having sold his sugar
plantation in the Mims league and moving to a tract on the Brazos River just north of Brazoria to
start a new cotton plantation.
In the spring of 1858 Fountain and Lafayette Winston obtained small loans to obtain
operating money and had to use slaves as security.50
June 1858 their mother, Susan B. Winston,
passed away and was buried at the Cedar Lake Cemetery (actually located on part of the
Shadrack Rowe Plantation). At the end of the year Lafayette Winston actually purchased an
additional 8 slaves from Hillery Moseley, his brother-in-law who was now living in Brazoria
47
Platter, Allen Andrew, “Educational, Social, and Economic Characteristics of the Plantation Culture of Brazoria
County, Texas”, Doctorial Dissertation Education, University of Houston, 1961, pp. 144-146 & John McCroskey
Cabin File Brazoria County Historical Museum.
48 Record of Wills: C 36/38
49 BCDR: H 361
50 BCDR: H 426 & H428
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County.51
Fountain and Lafayette produced 100 hghds in 1858.52
In the spring of 1859 Fountain
Winston was again raising operating cash by securing notes with his slaves.53
Stephen P. Winston would travel to Mobile, Alabama with his wife and family in order to
settle financial matters with his family. His plantation (actually his father’s) was put up for sale:
SUGAR PLANTATION FOR SALE
I offer for sale my plantation on Cedar Lake, Brazoria County, 1400 hundred acres, 325 in
cultivation, 160 in cane;--Sugar House large—Thirty-horse power engine, and other machinery in
proportion. Improvements good and substantial—built mostly of Cedar and Live Oak. Cedar
timber on the place. I will sell 14 or 15 negroes. Also Mules, Oxen, Cattle, Hogs, and farming
utensils, with the place.
June’5954
The family residence as described by L. J. McNeil was one storey, with an open hallway
through the center and a chimney at each end. A third fireplace was in the kitchen wing,
extending northward from the east end of the building. A cistern at the northeast corner was
convenient to the kitchen. The logs used in the house were hewn square.55
By the later part of 1859 Stephen P. Winston and his family were in Alabama, while
Lafayette Winston may have been left in charge of his plantation back in Texas. John A.
Winston, the older brother of Stephen, wished to settle things with Stephen by paying the estate
51
BCDR: H 658 52
Champomier, P. A., Statement of the Sugar Crop Made in Louisiana in 1858-59, With An Appendix, New
Orleans, 1859 53
BCDR: J 88 & J 97/98 54
The Democrat and Planter, August 16, 1859, Columbia, Texas 55
Platter, Allen Andrew, “Educational, Social, and Economic Characteristics of the Plantation Culture of Brazoria
County, Texas”, Doctorial Dissertation Education, University of Houston, 1961, p. 156. This does not appear to be
the description of a substantial structure or mansion. It is possible that L. J. McNeill had not seen the original home
as the hurricane of 1875 may have taken it down as Platter noted only an underground cistern marked the location of
the home.
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of William H. Winston the $10,000 owed by Stephen. Additional moneys had also been
previously advanced to Stephen. January 1860, Stephen and Ann C. Winston signed a deed of
trust using the plantation and 22 slaves as security for two notes in the amount of $14,000 each
on the money advanced by John A. Winston.56
Stephen and his creditors now owned the
plantation.
While still in Mobile, Alabama in November 1860 Ann C. Winston died of tuberculosis
and was buried in Mobile. Their son, John A. Winston was born earlier that same year.
Fountain and Lafayette Winston had been sued multiple times for debts over the latter
part of the 1850’s. Though early on Stephen P. Winston had ample credit with R. & D. G. Mills
of Galveston, it was not always so for Fountain and Lafayette. When a creditor protested Mills’
continuing to furnish supplies to Stephen Winston, Mills replied that Mr. Winston was a man of
respectability and good intentions.57
Respectability and good intentions didn’t get the bills paid
on time. Lafayette had to sign over his half of the 1858 entire crop of sugar and molasses to R. &
D. G. Mills to cover his note of $2500.58
One of the promissory notes written by Fountain Winston for $550 to Anthony Winston
and transferred over to Francis M. Jackson had been unpaid for some time. In 1859 a judgment
was handed down against Fountain, Lafayette, and Stephen P. Winston since Fountain had used
them as security for his note. This case was taken to the state supreme court on appeal and
confirmed for the plaintiff.59
August 1860 the half interest of Fountain Winston in their 666 2/3
acre tract was auctioned off.60
Even cash to pay their taxes was hard to come by.61
Ammon
Underwood, who ran a mercantile business in East Columbia, also brought suit against Lafayette
Winston over an $800 debt. Work done by Joseph D’Arcy, who was a local mechanic that
specialized in sugar mill work, also went unpaid. Bill was for $352.91 with L. Winston
promising to send his crop with “We cannot pay this d[ra]ft, R & D G M[ills]” across bottom:62
56
BCDR: J 349/50 57
Holbrook, Abigail Curlee, “Cotton Marketing in Antebellum Texas”, SWHQ, Volume 73, July 1969-April 1970,
http://texashistory.umt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth177147/, accessed October 13, 2012. 58
BCDR: J 123 59
Civil Case 2186, Francis M. Jackson v. Fountain Winston, Lafayette Winston, Stephen P. Winston, District
Clerk’s Office, Brazoria County Courthouse, Angleton, Texas 60
BCDR: J 521/22 61
BCDR: J 620 62
Civil Case 2447, Joseph D’Arcy v Lafayette Winston, District Clerk’s Office, Brazoria County Courthouse,
Angleton, Texas
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According to the 1860 Agricultural Census Fountain Winston had 200 improved acres
and $4000 worth of farm machinery. His livestock were 11 horses, 8 mules, 3 milch cows, 6
oxen, 1 head of cattle, and 140 hogs. He produced 3000 bushels of corn, 40 of Irish potatoes, 500
of sweet potatoes, 100 lbs. butter, 10 tons of hay, 25 bales of cotton, 30 hghds sugar, and 4000
gallons of molasses. Lafayette had 600 improved acres and $12,100 worth of farm machinery.
His livestock were 27 horses, 28 mules, 30 milch cows, 20 oxen, 160 head of cattle, and 315
hogs. He produced 5500 bushels of corn, 365 lbs. of butter, 10 tons of hay, 133 bales of cotton,
67 hghds of sugar, and 24,000 gallons of molasses. Tax records indicate Fountain Winston
owned 23 slaves and Lafayette 26 slaves. The 1860 slave census, however, lists Fountain with 21
slaves in 4 dwellings and Lafayette with 66 slaves in 9 dwellings. This again would indicate that
Lafayette was taking care of Stephen P. Winston’s plantation.
The 1860 Federal Census in two separate dwellings:
Fountain Winston 28M Planter Alabama
C. R. Winston 27 F Mississippi Christina R.
L. A. Whiting 20 F Alabama Niece
Lafayette Winston 25M Planter Alabama
R. C. Winston 24 F Alabama Rebecca Catherine
John G. Winston 3 M Texas
Lafayette Winston 1 M Texas
Sue Whiting 19 F Alabama Niece
Isaac Winston 22 M Farmer Tennessee Cousin
Thomas Winston 31 M Farmer Tennessee Cousin
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Based on the order of visitation by the census taker Anthony Winston and his family
were also living in close proximity as well as an overseer:
Anthony Winston 37M Planter Alabama
Catherine E. Winston 28F Alabama
Virginia C. Winston 6F Texas
Milton Winston 3M Texas
Ann C. Winston 8/12 F Texas
A. Waller 30M Overseer Virginia
Stephen P. Winston was living in Mobile, Alabama at this time:
Stephen Winston 31M Lawyer Alabama
A. C. Winston 29F Alabama Ann Catherine63
Mary C. Winston 11F Alabama
S. M. Winston 8F Texas Sarah Mary
A. C. Winston 4F Texas Annie C.
John A. Winston 3/12M Alabama
In January 1861 Fountain and Lafayette Winston sold their part of their cotton and
molasses from their 1860 crop to R. & D. G. Mills of Galveston. Lafayette made $4000 for 75
bales of cotton and 30 barrels of molasses and Fountain made $2500 for 40 bales of cotton.64
Even as Fountain and Lafayette Winston had been struggling to keep afloat, James Dick
Hill of New Orleans had brought suit against Stephen P. and Anne Catherine Winston for their
note originating in 1855 to D. Hardeman for ~ $6500. James Dick Hill won a judgment against
them April 1859 and foreclosed with Fountain and Lafayette Winston caught in the middle.65
At
auction January 1861, Orange Swan of Tennessee purchased the 1000 acre plantation tract, the
sugar mill, steam engine, and fixtures for $14500, barely half the price Fountain and Lafayette
had agreed to pay.66
Orange Swan already had a buyer for the property and promptly sold the plantation for
$21,500 to Asa E. Stratton Sr.67
Fountain Winston had been living in the home on this property.
Fountain and Lafayette Winston received $100 to release the property.68
Fountain and Lafayette Winston may have then resided at Stephen P. Winston’s
plantation with their wives, children, and extended families.
Asa E. Stratton with his fourth wife Mary Jane Chisholm and several children arrived in
Texas in 1859, living one year in Bastrop County before moving to Brazoria County. He had
63
Died November 1860/Census taken July 4, 1860 64
BCDR: J 636 65
Case 2186, James Dick Hill v Stephen P. Winston, Anthony Winston, Ann C. Winston, and D. Hardeman, District
Clerk’s Office, Brazoria County Courthouse, Angleton, Texas. 66
BCDR: K 1/2 67
BCDR: K 8/11 68
BCDR: K 6/7
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grown up in Athol, Massachusetts. At age twenty one he moved to Hillsboro, Jasper County,
Georgia, where he resided for sixteen years as a merchant, dealing largely in boots and shoes. In
1836 he removed to Panola County, Mississippi, where he purchased several large tracts of land.
Living in the area for more than twenty years he did well as a planter and was one of the early
directors of the Mississippi & Tennessee Railroad. He and Mary would have two more children
born to them in Texas while living at their new plantation they would call “Woodlawn”.69
With the outbreak of the Civil War Anthony and Fountain Winston joined the 8th
Texas
Calvary, Terry’s Texas Rangers, as did many young men of Brazoria County. Anthony A.
Winston enlisted September 1861 joining Co. A, while Fountain joined Co. L by signing on for a
90 day enlistment at Corinth, Mississippi.70
Lafayette became a private in General Joseph Bates
13th
Regiment Texas Volunteers Company G securing the Brazoria County coast line. After an
illness he had an alternate, John C. Davidson fill his position. Asa Stratton also joined Bates
Regiment rising to the rank of major and his son, Asa Stratton Jr. became a sergeant in Brown’s
Regiment 35th
Texas Calvary.
According to documents Stephen P. Winston was back in Texas by December 22, 1860.71
In 1863 he married Mrs. Sallie Winston72
with their first child being born in Texas that same
year.
During the early part of the Civil War a set of salts works was built on Cedar Lake near
the Gulf of Mexico by Lafayette Winston. The Winston’s kept summer houses nearby at the
mouth of Cedar Lake in Matagorda County. It is not clear who undertook the financing of this
operation.
U.S. Ship Morning Light73
69
Stratton, Harriet Russell, ed., A Book of Strattons, Vol. II, Frederick H. Hitchcock, New York, 1918, pp. 199-201. 70
According to John M. Winston his wife ran off to California while he was gone. They were legally divorced 1865. 71
Still not certain that Stephen P. Winston remained in Texas during the early part of the Civil War. A Stephen P.
Winston from Alabama received a Captain’s commission in the Alabama state artillery in early 1861 and resigned in
November 1861. 72
Unknown where this wedding took place or who was Sallie’s previous husband. 73
USS Morning Light was a sailing vessel 172 feet in length with eight 32 pounders on board. She was later
captured and burned by the Confederates at Sabine Pass, January 1863.
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Union sailors from the USS Morning Light maneuvered on to shore near Cedar Lake on
November 27, 1862. After scaring off the slaves that were working at the salt works, they
destroyed tons of salt and heavily damaged the boilers, associated storage sheds, and equipment:
…Agreeable to your orders, we have this day destroyed the extensive salt manufactory
near Cedar Lake Tex.
Acting Master William W. Fowler, with one part, destroyed one factory of 8 large kettles
and all the buildings belonging to it. I with another party, destroyed those extending to the
northward, consisting of 4 large tubular boilers and 10 large and 4 small kettles.
The whole amount of salt ready packed for transportation was not far from 10 tons, all of
which was ruined.
Acting Master’s Mate G. H. Rice, with the three boats, covered our retreat in case of
attack from the guerrillas, a number of whom were mounted and watching our movements…
Henry W. Washburn
Acting Master and Executive Officer74
National Archives Map # 2-343 (Shows Lafayette Winston’s summer houses on the beach)
The next day the Confederates were waiting for the Union forces to make a second attempt:
…I this day landed with crew of the first cutter, covered by the third cutter, under charge
of Acting Master’s Mate G. H. Rice, for the purpose of destroying a salt manufactory near the
southwest end of Cedar Lake. We were unable to effectually destroy it, having been attacked by a
body of mounted rebels, numbering about 40, and a large number of footmen, who were able to
approach us unseen in the grass. In retiring, William Thompson seaman killed….I am unable to
state positively the number of the enemy filled, but think it not far from 4, as that number were
seen to fall from their horses.
74
Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Series I Vol. 19, Government
Printing Office, Washington, D. C., 1905, Letter, Acting Master and Executive Officer Henry W. Washburn to
Acting Master, Commanding USS Morning Light John Dillingham, November 27, 1862, , p. 381.
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…nearly all the boats were slightly wounded and the boats completely riddled with balls
or slugs…75
The report of casualties by a surgeon aboard the USS Morning Light:
…I met the boats a short distance from the shore, and finding the wounded required no
immediate attention I ordered them all on board without delay and then proceeded to investigate
thoroughly the extent of injuries received, and have to report [to] you the following list of
casualties:
Killed.—Thomas Jones, ordinary seaman, gunshot wound in the mouth, passing
backward into the spinal column; also one between the sixth and seventh ribs, in the middle of the
right side, penetrating the lungs. He died almost immediately.
Wounded.—Michael Sugru, seaman, in the middle of the left forearm; a musket ball
struck the radius, fracturing it slightly, passing round its outer side and lodging under the skin
opposite the point of entrance. William Thomas, ordinary seaman, flesh wound, quite to the bone,
about 1 inch from the upper end of the sternum, near its left edge, as if made by a buckshot nearly
spent. Peter Le Provost, seaman, scalp penetrated on top of the head; the ball entered the front of
his cap, wounding the scalp on its way and passing out of the cap behind. H. W. Washburn, acting
master and executive officer, a contused wound, very slight, along the outer side of right forearm.
George H. Rice, master’s mate, struck on the left wrist by a spent ball.76
Official records on the Confederate side were not located but several articles in local
newspapers complete with a little misinformation and the usual bravado appeared after the
skirmish:
…We learn from Mr. F. W. T. Harrison, of Columbia, that on Thursday evening last a force of 40
men landed from a Federal bark off the old mouth of Cedar Lake, about five miles below the
mouth of the San Bernard, and destroyed Winston’s salt works.
The negroes who were in charge saw the enemy coming, and made good their escape.
The Abolitionists destroyed the kettles, burned the house, and scattered everything about
promiscuously. They then returned to their vessel…77
More about the Affair at the Mouth of Bernard—The Enemy Severely Punished
We learn from Mr. Henry B. Jones of Brazoria county, that the first attack on Winston’s
salt works, near the mouth of the San Bernard, was made on Wednesday last, by two launches. It
was followed by another on Thursday by the same party, on which days they totally destroyed the
works and scattered the salt all over the prairie, burnt the wagons and houses, and killed all the
cattle within reach.
On Thursday night detachments of Bennett’s company, of Bates’ regiment, and
Moseley’s company of Brown’s battalion, under command of Capt. Bennett, proceeded to the
spot, and concealed themselves before day. About an hour by sun a party of about thirty-five, in
two boats, left the Yankee schooner, and made for the shore. Landing, they proceeded towards the
salt works, leaving a guard of three at the boats. As soon as they had got a sufficient distance from
the boats, our men rushed down to the beach.
75
Ibid., p. 382, Letter, Acting Master and Executive Officer Henry W. Washburn to Acting Master, Commanding
USS Morning Light John Dillingham, November 28, 1862. 76
Ibid., pp. 381-382, Letter Acting Assistant Surgeon J. W. Sherfy to Acting Master Commanding USS Morning
Light John Dillingham, November 28, 1862 77
The Weekly Telegraph, Houston, Texas, December 3, 1862
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Immediately a signal gun was fired from the schooner, and an exciting race took place for
the boats, both parties reaching them nearly at the same time, the Yankees a little in advance.—
Capt. Bennett immediately summoned them to surrender, which they did by raising or throwing up
their oars; but the wind being from the north, drifted the boats off. They were ordered back, but
refused to come, when the order was given to fire on them. They returned it, and a sharp fight
ensued, the Yankees making the best of their way towards the vessels, from which two more boats
put out to their assistance. When the firing commenced, our men had dashed into the water within
about ten paces of the enemy, and kept up their fire as long as they were in range. When the boats
from the vessel met them, they were but a short distance from shore, just beyond rifle range, and
but five were seen taken into the other boats, all of whom seemed badly wounded, requiring help
to make the change of boats. Is supposed the balance were killed. The boats were so riddled with
bullets as to be in a sinking condition, and had to be towed back to the schooner.
One of the wounded Yankees, shot through the breast was picked up in a drowning
condition, and is now in our hands, supposed to be mortally wounded.
On our side one man was shot through the leg and badly wounded. One horse was killed
and another slightly wounded. The shot that killed the horse was aimed at Capt. Bennett, who was
then in the water demanding their surrender.
The schooner opened fire as soon as the boats left shore, and shelled sometime, without
effect.
Thus, another lesson has been taught the vile plunderers who have come to despoil and
devastate our shores. The gallant men who keep the saddle on the coast to watch the foe, will let
few of them escape…78
Captain Lewis T. Bennet79
, who read the article in the Weekly wrote a letter to the
editor correcting what he felt were a few errors in the narrative:
Velasco, Dec. 5th
, 1862
…Late Thursday evening, we got word here that the Federals had landed in boats on
Wednesday and Thursday morning, at the mouth of Cedar Lake, and destroyed Winston’s Salt
Works, burnt his house &c. Col. Bates ordered me to take some men and go down to watch the
vessel, which was still at anchor close to shore. I took twenty-three men and proceeded to the spot,
posted ourselves in a hollow behind the sand hills and waited for daylight. I expected they would
land again during the morning. A few minutes after we halted, Capt. Moseley, of Brown’s
Battalion, with about thirty of his company and several citizens, came up from the opposite
direction, for the same purpose, and halted about three hundred yards below me. There was a sand
flat between us, the old bed of the lake, which we could not pass to bring our parties together
without exposing ourselves to view from the vessel, and thereby defeating our object. So each
party watched quietly in our places for the doming of the boasts. About 9 o’clock, two launches
full of men were seen to leave the vessel and pull towards the beach below our ambush.—We
could not move to get nearer, for we occupied the only position which would conceal us for a
moment. Capt. Mosel[e]y sent a man over to me to say that he would give the signal for the
charge, as he was in a better position to watch the boats. They landed about three-fourths of a mile
below our position, and at once proceeded up on the prairie about three hundred yards, to destroy a
portion of the salt works, which they had not time to demolish the day before.
Now was our chance. Capt. Moseley raised his hat, out we dashed and away we went. My
men had two hundred yards of deep sand to cross before we reached the beach, when we struck
the hard sand we let our horses out. There was some tall jockeying done in that race by both
78
Ibid. 79
Lewis T. Bennet was the oldest son of Charles H. Bennet and Eliza Jones Reese, who had grown up on the banks
of Cedar Lake in the McCroskey league.
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parties, the Yankees and us; but four legs are better than two by considerable odds, in a long race,
as the Yankees found to their cost. They were playing a grab game among themselves for some
chickens Winston’s negroes had left behind, and probably did not see us until we were under good
headway. When we go up some of them were in the boasts, others were pushing the boats along,
and some had not reached them.
Capt. Moseley, who was about two hundred yards in advance of me, called on them to
surrender.—Some of them held up their oars, others kept pulling. Our men commencing firing on
them, with shotguns and six-shooters and rifles. The oarsmen were shot down, and they were slow
getting off, but they did not cease their exertions, nor did the boats drift away. If they had stopped
pulling, the boats could have drifted ashore—for the oars that fell from the hands of the men who
were shot, soon floated up on the beach. They sheltered themselves, to some extent, by lying down
and pulling at the oars. I think they fired about twenty shots at us, some of which took effect.
There were 30 men in the two launches, about half of whom, I suppose, were killed and the others
nearly all wounded. As soon as they were out of range they made a signal of distress, and the bark
sent out another launch to assist them aboard.
The bark did not fire but once during the fight, and did not shell us at all afterwards—but
in the evening, as she passed up towards Galveston, she shelled everything that came in sight.
The casualties in the fight were same as stated by your informant, H. B. Jones. In Capt.
Moseley’s company, one man shot through the leg. In my company, one horse killed and another
shot through the nose.
One Federal could not reach the boats, and returned to the shore, he was shot in the
breast. The prisoner said the bark was the “Morning Light.”
Mr. Fayette Winston, the owner of the Salt Works was present, and from the manner in
which he handled his rifle, I am certain he got some pay for his property destroyed. He expressed
himself perfectly satisfied with the results.
By publishing the above, you well set this matter right, and oblige your obedient servant,
Lewis T. Bennet80
Another short article claimed that “at least half the 28 abolitionists were killed. Our men fired all
round eight times. The prisoner taken was an Englishman. When taken he cried out “I am no Yankee! I’m an
Englishman! I didn’t burn the salt! This is the first time I’ve been ashore, and I didn’t want to come this time; I
didn’t even go ashore at Galveston!” And another “…at Winston’s Salt Works, Winston was on hand, and fired
eight shots, drawing a bead every time. As he discharged his rifle each time, he would exclaim, “that pays for a
bushel of salt.” He thinks he got pay for six or eight bushels, sure, before the Abolitionists got out of reach.”81
The Commander of the Morning Light John Dillingham made his final report short but
not far from the truth:
…I anchored the ship in 3 ½ fathoms water at a place called Cedar Lake. I sent three
boats’ crews and officers to destroy an extensive and valuable salt manufactory [that] I discovered
the day previous, which duty they most effectually performed, together with all the machinery,
carts, and implements, also destroying several tons of salt which was packed in hide bags for
inland transport, and returned to the ship without an accident.
This morning I sent another expedition about 4 miles farther down the coast, the wind at
the time not allowing the ship to cover the beach. While in the act of destroying the works, which
were not very extensive, a mounted troop of guerrillas charged on them, driving them to the boats.
One man surrendered or was taken prisoner; the rest escaped to the boats, when a sharp skirmish
80
The Tri-Weekly Telegraph, December 17, 1862, Houston, Texas 81
Ibid., December 5, 1862, Houston, Texas
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took place, in which we had one man killed and one shot through the arm, not seriously. In the
meantime a slight breeze enabled me to approach the beach with the ship, when we most
effectually routed them from the beach….
The salt manufactory we destroyed was quite new. The one we partially destroyed was
rendered unfit for present use. Both seem to be gotten up at great expense and labor… 82
In November 1863 Union General Nathaniel Banks and an army of 7,000 troops,
transported by twenty-six ships, landed at Brazos Santiago, near the mouth of the Rio Grande
River and captured Brownsville, Texas. Over the next few weeks Union troops moved against
various points along the lower and middle Texas coast. In December Union troops occupied
Indianola and Port Lavaca. Convinced that the Federals intended to continue up the coast toward
Galveston, General John Bankhead Magruder began to concentrate all available Confederate
troops into southern Brazoria County.83
Camp Winston would be formed in the Cedar Lake area with ~1500 officers and men
scattered along the western fringes of Cedar Lake and several thousand other troops scattered
from the Brazos River to the San Bernard River down to Caney Creek.84
Ewing’s bridge located
just south of Stephen P. Winston’s plantation was the best place to cross Cedar Lake, therefore,
this area saw many of the large troop movements in the area. By February 1864 General Banks
abandoned the Texas coast and moved toward his Red River campaign. Little action was then
observed near the Cedar Lake area for the rest of the war.
Civil War Era Map – National Archives Map #Z51-8
82
Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Series I Vol. 19, Government
Printing Office, Washington, D. C., 1905, p. 380, Letter, Acting Master, Commanding USS Morning Light John
Dillingham to Rear-Admiral D. G. Farragut, Commanding Western Gulf Blockading Squadron, November 28, 1862. 83
Wooster, Ralph A., Civil War Texas, Texas State Historical Association, Austin, Texas, 1999, pp. 27-28. 84
Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies in the War of the Rebellion, Series I Vol. XXXIV, pt. 2,
pp. 931-932.
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After the Civil War, Stephen P. Winston and his family continued to live at his plantation
on Cedar Lake. During the Civil War Fountain Winston’s wife, Christina, left him for California
and he remained in Brazoria and Matagorda Counties until his death working on various
plantations. In 1863 Lafayette sold Fountain Winston his ½ of the 666 2/3 acre tract, which at
that time he had been living on.85
By 1868 Lafayette Winston had sold their summer homes on
the beach; he and his family moved to Kenner Prairie in Matagorda County where they lived for
many years before moving to near Alvin, Texas, where they started to prosper again.86
Anthony
Winston and his family continued to try to make ends meet on his plantation north of Brazoria
but after a short while ran into financial trouble.
The 1870 Federal Census lists the Stephen P. & Anthony Winston families in Brazoria
County:
Stephen Winston 41M Farmer Alabama
Sallie Winston 24F Mississippi
Mary Winston 20F Alabama
Sarah Winston 17F Texas
Ann Winston 15F Texas
John Winston 10M Texas (Alabama?)
Mattie Winston 7F Texas
Stephen Winston 3M Texas
Henry Winston 5/12M Texas
Anthony Winston 46M Laborer Alabama
Milton Winston 12M at School Texas
Anthony Winston 8M Texas
Lafayette Winston’s family is listed in Matagorda County:
Lafayette Winston 35M Farmer Alabama
Rebecca Winston 34F Alabama
John S. Winston 13M Texas
Lafayette Winston 11M Texas
Kate Winston 7F Texas
Edmund Winston 5M Texas
George Winston 2M Texas
Frank Winston 3/12M Texas
The creditors of Stephen P. Winston were still owed large sums of money after the Civil
War. The availability of a reliable work force had left him without a steady income from the
plantation. Stephen P. Winston filed for bankruptcy December 26, 1870 and U. S. Judge T. H.
85
BCDR: K 788 86
BCDR: L 582
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Duval declared Winston bankrupt May 30, 1871.87
Winston had been barely able to keep his
head above water by paying only the interest each year on several of his notes.
Several civil suits also were pending against Stephen P. Winston and these dragged out
through 1883. By this time Stephen P. Winston had died as well as many of the plaintiffs and
defendants. Finally the District Court Judge in May 1883 ruled upon the case John A. Winston v
Stephen P. Winston et al. Though the judge ruled for the plaintiff he noted “the land in controversy
and the fund in hand are not worth one fifth of the plaintiff’s debt. That John and Annie Winston are the only heirs
of Stephen P. Winston, that the $10,000 purchase money and interest owing by Stephen P. Winston for the land in
controversy is a part of the purchase money for which the notes sued on by plaintiff were given and that the same
are now due and owing to John A. Winston’s Executor”. The John A. Winston estate was to receive 2/3
and the Orange Swan88
estate 1/3 on the foreclosure sale of the property. Only a two hundred
acre homestead was reserved for Annie and John D. Winston, his only surviving children; only
John now lived in Texas.89
The 1875 hurricane may have damaged the old home and sugar mill.
The homestead was valued at $2500 with 6 plows, 1 saddle & bridle, wearing apparel, and
household furniture also exempt from sale.90
(See Appendix G) Nothing is mentioned of
improvements on the property in later deed records as Annie and John D. Winston sold out their
interests.91
The main plantation tract was sold at auction June 1885 to W. H. Winston and Mrs.
A. W. Goldsby, two of the children of John A. Winston, for only $1800. This deed transfer does
indicate “improvements & machinery” on the property.92
The heirs of Mrs. A. W. Goldsby held
on to her tract until after the turn of the century. By 1961 when A. A. Platter did his research on
the plantation he noted that only an underground cistern marked where the house once stood.93
Asa E. Stratton Sr. tried to make a go of it on his 1000 acre tract and was only partially
successful. Post Civil War he actually bought a portion of the Winston 666 2/3 acre tract and
some of the land north of his plantation from the Cox heirs in the mid 1870’s.94
The sugar mill
continued to run for a few years longer and tenant farmers were set up on various portions of the
plantation. In January 1870 Stratton mortgaged his plantation to Ball, Hutchings & Co. of
Galveston for $9000, his steam engine, mill and sugar crop of 1870 were part of the security.95
By 1875 Stratton had twelve other creditors in Galveston that were desiring security for his
debts; a deed of trust was signed that year to cover the debts and in1876 an additional deed of
trust was signed consigning all his corn and cotton crops with the cotton to be sold by his
87
BCDR: N 413 88
Orange Swan had taken the original note of Stephen P. Winston to R. & D. G. Mills in January 1858. From the
deed of trust associated with it he had the newly appointed trustee Thomas G. Masterson foreclose and sell the
property at auction to himself for on $2100. So for ten years he had been trying to assert his claim on the property.
BCDR: L 615/16 89
Civil Case 2909 John A. Winston v Stephen P. Winston et al, District Clerk’s Office, Brazoria County
Courthouse, Angleton, Texas. 90
BCDR: N 422 91
BCDER: V 414/15 & X 305/06 92
BCDR: X 393/95 & X 651/53 93
Platter, Allen Andrew, “Educational, Social, and Economic Characteristics of the Plantation Culture of Brazoria
County, Texas”, Doctorial Dissertation Education, University of Houston, 1961, p. 157. 94
BCDR: O 36/37 & P 598 95
BCDR: M 230/33
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Messrs. Dargan & Tobyn of Galveston.96
In the spring of 1877 Asa E. Stratton renegotiated his
mortgage with Ball Hutchings & Co. of Galveston as his debt with them had now grown to over
$12000.97
Asa E. Stratton Sr. died at his home in Luling, Texas July 22, 1877 and was buried in
Cedar Lake Cemetery along with his last wife Mary Jane Chisholm who had died in1872.
After the death of Asa E. Stratton Sr., his son Asa E. Stratton Jr. became the executor of
his estate. An additional $5000 was borrowed from Ball Hutchings & Co. by the estate to run the
plantation the last part of 1878.98
For the year 1879 Ball Hutchings & Co. required that all the
crops of corn, cotton, and sugar would be sold thru them and that George O. Jarvis would be put
in charge of the plantation until all the crops were harvested.99
Ball Hutchings & Co. brought suit
against the estate of Asa E. Stratton and sought to liquidate the plantation.100
In May 1880 a 200
acre homestead was reserved for Stratton’s heirs.101
96
BCDR: O 556/59 & P 371/73 97
BCDR: Q 9/12 98
BCDR: Q 522/23 99
BCDR: S 110/11 100
BCDR: V 723/27 101
BCDR: S 548
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Jesse and Asa E. Stratton Jr. received the 200 acre homestead and earlier in 1880 they
leased part of the homestead area to build a storehouse and gave permission to run a store on the
property to Aaron Lewis, a local merchant.102
In 1883 Jesse D. T. Stratton sold his half of the homestead to William H. Crofton and Asa
E. Stratton Jr. sold Crofton his interest in1885 ending the ownership of the Stratton family.103
After the turn of the century George Littlefield purchased the 1000 acre tract in 1906.104
McCroskey League Abstract 84 Courtesy Brazoria County Historical Museum 1994.005c.0012
102
BCDR: S 507/08 103
BCDR: V 393/94 & X 444/46 104
BCDR: 69 137/38
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The Brazos Valley Plantation Co. gained control of the 1000 acre tract and initially
worked to build a pecan and fig orchard. Later they started to subdivide the plantation.
Mrs. R. E. L. Stringfellow purchased a parcel out of the Skinner Tract on which the
residence for the Stratton Plantation was located in1946.105
She preserved the building for
twenty-five years until a proper restoration could be completed. After her death in 1971, her
nephew, Percival T. Beacroft undertook the task of restoration. Mr. E. J. Lueckemeyer of
Brenham worked for four years with Mr. Beacroft in restoring the house as accurately as
possible. All the late 19th
century material was removed and handmade cedar windows and doors
were added. The “chinking” between the logs was replaced. In 1983 the home received a marker
from the Texas Historical Commission.106
The home still appears to be in very good condition.
Photo Courtesy of the Brazoria County Historical Museum 2009.011p.0012
105
BCDR: 406 245/46 & Plat Book: 2 132 106
The marker, of course, contains many mistakes in ownership of the home. The accompanying brochure for the
1983 dedication also contains a great many errors due to a misunderstanding in the location of the several tracts of
land owned by the Reese and Winston families. The author is not sure what the remedy is for this situation. The
Brazoria County Historical Commission can take it under consideration.
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In addition to this home site location there should be in the McCroskey League, the
homestead of Charles H. Bennet and his family in the NW corner, the home of B. B. Binion in
the SE corner, the home of Solomon Williams in the lower 1/3 of the league 1840’s, the
residence of the Ewing plantation and the home of Stephen P. Winston and his sugar mill, all
pre-Civil War era locations. No archeological investigations have been done at any of the sites.
There are foundations on the east side of County Road 316 along the slough made of
handmade brick probably indicating the location of the machinery for the cotton gin.
Across the road from the home site is the location of an unusual brick structure made of
cement and all partial handmade bricks, purpose and date of construction unknown.
Photos December 2, 2012
The author has not located the ruins for the sugar mill to determine if any walls or
support bases are remaining. The Cedar Lake Cemetery is also located in the near proximity on
property that was once the Shadrack Rowe Plantation.
Map Courtesy of the Brazoria County Historical Museum 1988.070c.0086
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Appendix A
Joseph Reese Family
Joseph Reese b. 1/12/1784 Shenandoah County, Virginia d. 12/2/1845 New Orleans, Louisiana
m. August 18, 1806 Jefferson County, Kentucky
Margaret Bowman Reese b. 1787 d.8/3/1844 Brazoria County, Texas
1. Harriet Hite Reese b. 7/26/1807 d.11/18/1840 Texas
m. 1st 11/27/1827 Warren County, Kentucky
Dr. Christopher G. Cox b. 1803 Warren County, Ky. D. 8/23/1833 cholera Brazoria
Christopher R. Cox b.~ 1829
m. 2nd
by bond 2/25/1835 & m. 11/27/1837 Brazoria Co.
Dr. Thomas Rivers Erwin b. 1810 Davidson Co., Tennessee d. ~1857
Thomas R. Erwin d. 1861
Harriet W. Erwin
2. Hetty Mariah Reese b. 1/21/1809 Jefferson Co., Ky. D. 9/19/1813 Warren Co. Ky.
3. Charles Keller Reese b. 11/13/1810 Jefferson Co., Ky. D. 10/14/1858 Matagorda Co.
m.10/18/1843 Brazoria County, Texas
Sarah Tait Norris b. 3/2/1829 Alabama d. January 7, 1858 buried Cedar Lake Cem.
Charles Keller Reese died infant age 3 mos. Buried Cedar Lake Cemetery
Mary Ellen (Molly) Reese b. 1843 Texas
James Norris Reese b. 1846 Texas
Harriet Caroline Reese b. 1848 Texas buried Cedar Lake Cemetery
Charles K. Reese b. 1850 Texas
Joseph Perry Reese
Sarah Emma Reese b.11/19/1854 Texas d.4/4/1890
Kate Burford Reese
Henry Jones Reese
4. Elizabeth Amanda Reese b. 5/6/1812 Warren County, Kentucky d. 9/4/1812
5. Eliza Jones Reese b. 6/16/1813 Warren Co. Ky. D. 1/31/1848 buried Cedar Lake
m. 2/25/1830
Charles H. Bennet b. 1807 New Jersey d. 11/28/1865 buried Cedar Lake Cemetery
Lewis T. Bennet b. 1832
Caroline C. Bennet b. 1835
Catherine E. Bennet b. 1837
Joseph Perry Bennet b. ~1839 d. 1841 Age 18 months buried Cedar Lake Cem.
Margaret A. Bennet b. 1841
Joseph Reese Bennet b. 1843 d.
Robert M. Bennet b. 1846 d. 5/16/1855 buried Cedar Lake Cemetery
6. Washington Perry Reese b. 10/8/1815 Warren Co., Ky. D. 8/27/1839 Killed by Indians Williamson
Co., Texas
7. Peyton Randolph Reese b. 7/19/1817 Warren Co., Ky. D. 8/28/1818
8. James Monroe Reese b. 6/2/1819 Warren Co., Ky. D. 12/2/1821
9. Ellen Jane Reese b. 5/18/1822 Warren Co., Ky. D. 7/15/1842 Brazoria Co.
10. Andrew Jackson Reese b. 1/1/1824 Warren Co., Ky. D. 9/8/1838 Brazoria Co.
11. William Erwin Reese b. 7/15/1825 Warren Co., Ky. D. 1/?/1851 California
m. 1/12/1847 Galveston, Texas
Henrietta Isabella Robinson b. 2/22/1825 Alabama d. 2/1/1917 San Francisco, Ca.
m.2nd
November 18, 1845 Jackson, Hind County, Mississippi
Anne Branham Robinson b. 4/14/1804 d. 1868
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Appendix B
William Winston Family
William Henry Winston d. April 7, 1857 Alabama
m. 1st Mary Cooper
1. John Anthony Winston b. 1812 d. 1871
2. William Henry Winston b. 1817 d. 1886
3. Permelia Virginia Winston b. 1820 d. 1857
m. 2nd
Judith McCraw Jones
1. Stephen Park Winston b.1828 Alabama d. 1878??
m. 1st
February 5, 1848 Greene County, Alabama
Ann Catherine Winston b. August 1, 1829 Alabama d. November 10, 1860 Mobile,
Alabama
Mary C. Winston b. 1849 Alabama
Sarah Mary Winston b. 1851 Texas
Annie C. Winston b. 1857 Texas d. 1928
John A. Winston b. 1860 Alabama
m. 2nd
~1863
Mrs. Sallie Winston b. 1846 Mississippi
Mattie Winston b. 1863 Texas
Stephen Winston b. 1867 Texas
Henry Winston b. 1870 Texas
2. Mary K. Winston b. 1828 d. 1900
3. Sarah A. Winston b. 1831
4. Sarah Miller Winston b. 1832 d. 1905
5. Martha Bacon Winston b. 1834 d. 1895
6. Thomas E. Winston b. 1836 d. 1869
7. Susan E. Winston b. 1837 d. 1840
8. Judith Winston b. 1842
9. Rosa Octavia Winston b. 1844 d. 1845
10. Anna Helen Winston b. 1846 d. 1860
11. Edmund C. Winston b. 1848
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Appendix C
John Jones Winston Family
John Jones Winston b. May 31, 1785 Virginia d. 1850 Greene County, Alabama
m. 1st
Mary “Polly” Walker Jones b. 1787 d. 1819
1. John Milton Winston b. 1808 d. 1847
2. Minerva West Winston b. 1810 d. 1882
3. Elizabeth Easley Winston b. 1816 d. 1868
4. Mary Francis Winston b. 1817 d. 1843
m. 2nd
April 20, 1820 Nashville, Tennessee
Susan B. Johnston b. October 11, 1801 d. June 20, 1858 Brazoria County, Texas buried Cedar
Lake Cemetery
1. Anthony A. Winston b. 1823
m. 1852
Catherine E. Moseley
Virginia C. Winston b. 1853
Milton R. Winston b. 1856
Annie Kate Winston b. 1859 d. 1909
2. George White Winston b. 1825 d. 1827
3. Ann Catherine Winston b. August 1, 1829 Alabama d. November 10, 1860 Mobile,
Alabama married Stephen P. Winston
4. Fountain Winston b. 1832 Alabama d. 1905 buried Confederate Cemetery Alvin,
Texas
m. 1856 Gainesville, Alabama divorced 1865
Christina Rebecca Moseley. b. 1821 Mississippi
5. Lafayette F. Winston b. September 12, 1835 Alabama City, Alabama d. September 11,
1919 buried Confederate Cemetery Alvin, Texas
m. July 2, 1855 Port Gibson, Mississippi
Rebecca Katherine Cooper Moseley b. February 11, 1834 Kemper, Mississippi
d. October 25, 1915 buried Confederate Cemetery Alvin, Texas
John Stephen Winston Sr. b. 1856 Texas d. 1926
Lafayette Fontaine Winston Jr. b. 1859 Texas d. 1899
George Winston b. 1860 d. 1861
Amos Winston b. 1862 d. 1862
Katherine Rebecca Winston b. 1863 Texas d. February 6, 1901
Edmund Cooper Winston b. 1865 Texas d. November 22, 1920
George b. 1868 Texas
Frank b. 1870 Texas d. 1870
William Anthony b. 1876 Texas d. 1947
Mary Susan b. 1878 Texas d. 1956
Mordella Olivia Winston b. 1882 d. 1954
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Appendix D
Family of Asa Evans Stratton Sr.
Asa Evans Stratton Sr. b. June 13, 1798 Athol, Massachusetts d. July 22, 1877 Luling, Texas
m. 1st
March 1824 Jasper Co., Georgia
Mary Graves Alexander d. 1838
Dorcas Elizabeth Stratton b. 1824 d. 1826 Jasper County, Georgia
Jane Alexander Stratton b. 1827 Jasper County, Georgia
Mary Elizabeth Stratton b. 1830 Jasper County, Georgia
George Henry Stratton b. 1833 d. 1861 Jasper County, Georgia
James Marshall Stratton b. 1835 d.1837 Jasper County, Georgia
Cassandra Victoria Stratton b. 1838 d. 1844 Panola County, Mississippi
m. 2nd
February 26, 1843 Marshall Co., Mississippi
Amanda Ann Gibbons Wood d, June 9, 1847
Asa Evans Stratton b. 1844 Panola County, Mississippi
Sarah Emily Stratton b. 1847 Panola County, Mississippi
m. 3rd
Mrs. Caroline Ann Steger Pearson d. 1854
James Thomas Stratton b. 1849 Mississippi
m. 4th
Mary Jane Chisholm d. 1872
Jesse David Tait Stratton b. 1857 Mississippi
Edward Everett Stratton b. 1858 d. 1858 Mississippi
George Stratton b. 1861 Texas
Amanda Ann Stratton b. 1863 Brazoria County, Texas
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Appendix E
Deed Records John McCroskey Abstract 84
GRANTORS GRANTEES Kind of
Instrument Book Page Month Day Year Acres Description
Mexican Government
John McCroskey Deed SR Aug 26 1824 4428 John McCroskey League
John McCroskey John Williams Deed ST 155/57 April 12 1825 1400 $55 Lower 1/3 John McCroskey League
John McCroskey Joseph Reese Deed ST 229/30 1831 ?
107
2800 NW 2/3 John McCroskey League $1500 on left bank of Cedar Lagoon
John Williams Oliver Jones Deed ST 103/05 July 14 1829 Forced sale $280 Lower 1/3 League
Anne B. Robinson Reese
Eliza Jones Bennett
Charles Keller Reese
Deed D 191/96 June 8 1846 $3600 Sold her interest in Plantation and livestock
William E. Reese Charles K. Reese Deed E 136/38 Mar 17 1849 532 $5.00/acre his ¼ right to his parents estate Charles to pay $1444.77 in debts + cash
Charles K. Reese William E. Reese Mortgage E 146/47 Mar 27 1849 500 Paid other William’s debts lowered cash required
Oliver Jones Austin County
Robert J. Townes Deed E 411/12 Oct 26 1849 $1252 Lower 1/3
Robert J. Townes Henry W. Rhodes Charles K. Reese
Deed E 412 May 10 1850 1400 $10 Lower 1/3 McCroskey League Conveyed by Oliver Jones
Charles H. Bennett Charles K. Reese
Henry W. Rhodes Deed E 432/34 May 3 1850 800 $10000 Old Reese Place
Henry Williams Matagorda County
Henry W. Rhodes Charles K. Reese
Deed E 413 May 10 1850 1400 $1000 Lower 1/3 McCroskey League on which Solomon Williams had lived until his death
Henry W. Rhodes Charles H. Bennett Charles
K. Reese
Mortgage E 434/37 May 20 1850 800 Old Reese Place
Charles Keller Reese
Burton B. Binion Deed F 306/07 Nov 13 1850 250 $1100 250 acres SE corner League did not file papers until 25Jan 1852
Henry W. Rhodes Alexander Ewing Alabama
Deed E 550/52 Nov 29 1850 800 Old Reese Place
Alexander Ewing Alabama
Charles K. Reese Deed E 562/64 Dec 11 1850 800 $10000 Old Reese Place
Charles K. Reese Stephen P. Winston
Deed F 200/02 Jan 21 1852 1000 $10536.76 include improvements lately occupied by Reese 300 bushels corn, yoke of oxen, 1 lot of hogs
Charles K. & Sarah T. Reese
Stephen P. Winston
Deed F 440/41 Oct 26 1852 1300 $20000 lower 1/3 league not already sold to B. B. Binion & Winston ¼ interest 2000 head of cattle 1000 bushels corn
107
This document not dated but signed by 2nd
Alcalde Juan Austin. This would put the date 1831-1832.
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Lambert & Sarah Mims
Abraham & Adaline Woodcock
Deed F 130/32 Aug 31 1851 666 2/3 $1000 Susan Cummings League SE Corner
Abraham & Adaline Woodcock Mobile, Alabama
Austin & Lavinia Ledyard
Deed F 379/40 Jan 10 1852 666 2/3 $2666 Susan Cummings League
Austin & Lavinia Ledyard
Susan Winston Deed F 426/28 Dec 2 1852 666 2/3 $3000 Susan Cummings League SE corner
Susan Winston Fountain Winston Deed F 442/43 Dec 16 1852 666 2/3 $2135 Susan Cummings League
Stephen P. Winston
William Winston Franklin Co.
Alabama
Deed G 110/11 Nov 1 1854 1400 $20,000 –His father All plantation & livestock
Stephen P. & Ann Winston
D. Hardeman Matagorda
Mortgage G 229/32 Feb 1 1855 1000 $6551.50 note tract bought F 200 as security
Stephen P. & Ann Catherine Winston
Fountain & Lafayette Winston
Deed G 696/98 April 28 1856 1000
$28,000 Plantation on which they resided together and all livestock
Fountain & Christina Winston
Lafayette Winston Deed G 695/96 Aug 7 1856 666 2/3 $5000 ½ interest
Stephen P. & Ann Catherine Winston
John A. Wharton Clinton Terry
DT H 361 Jan 18 1858 1300 $11108.97 note R. & D. G. Mills & Co. 1300 acres + 15 slaves as security
Lafayette Winston Charlotte Purcell Mortgage H 426 March 20 1858 $1031.23 note 1 slave as security
Fountain Winston Charlotte Purcell Mortgage H 428 March 20 1858 $1460 note 2 slaves as security
Fountain Winston John A. Wharton Clinton Terry
DT H 433/36 March 23 1858 1000 +
666 2/3
$6330.55 ½ interest note to Stephen P. Winston acreage + 14 slaves security
Lafayette Winston John A. Wharton Clinton Terry
DT H 437/41 March 23 1858 1000 +
666 2/3
$15000 ½ interest note to Stephen P. Winston acreage + 18 slaves security
Hillary Moseley Lafayette Winston Deed H 658 Dec 10 1858 $8000 8 slaves
Fountain Winston Gerard Munson Mortgage J 88 March 5 1859 $2582 note 3 slaves as security
Fountain Winston Bryant Cherry Mortgage J 97/98 March 25 1859 $855.48 note 1 slave as security
Lafayette Winston R. & D. G. Mills Mortgage J 123 March 17 1859 $2500 note ½ entire 1858 crop of sugar & molasses
Stephen P. & Ann Catherine Winston Mobile Alabama
Joel W. Jones Mobile Alabama
DT J 349/50 Jan 12 1860 1400 2 notes John A. Winston $14000 each acreage + 22 slaves as security
Sheriff Harrison P. Dance
C C Millican Deed J 521/22 Aug 7 1860 666 2/3 ½ interest 666 2/3 acres lost suit
35 C. Millican
Tax Assessor
E. D. Nash Deed J 620 July 10 1860 500 Seized and sold 500 acres of Lafayette’s McCrosky League
Fountain Winston R. & D. G. Mills Deed J 636 Jan 7 1861 $2500 40 bales cotton
Lafayette Winston R. & D. G. Mills Deed J 636 Jan 7 1861 $4000 75 bales cotton & 30 Bbls molasses
Sheriff William B. Maxey
Orange Swan Davidson County
Tennessee
Deed K ½ Jan 3 1861 1000 $14,500 ~1000 acres, sugar mill, steam engine at auction due to suit McCroskey League
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Fountain & Lafayette Winston
Asa E. Stratton Sr. Deed K 6/7 Jan 7 1861 1000 Release their ownership Fountain Winston resided
Asa E. Stratton Sr. Clinton Terry DT K 8/11 Jan 7 1861 1000 $21800 Note to Orange Swan acreage + Steam Engine, Sugar Mill, fixtures security
C. C. Millican Fountain Winston Deed K 42 Feb 5 1861 666 2/3 $1826 ½ interest in 666 2/3 acres
Lafayette Winston Hillery Moseley Mortgage K 44/45 Feb 6 1861 $8000 note 11 slaves as security
Lafayette Winston Fountain Winston Deed K 380/81 Feb 2 1863 666 2/3 $5000 His ½ interest land he now resides on
Fountain Winston A. T. Morris Deed K 788 Jan 18 1867 666 2/3 $1200 ½ acreage
Sheriff Joseph Yerby
M. S. Munson Deed L 551/52 June 3 1868 666 2/3 Lafayette, Fountain, & Anthony Winston lost civil suit-$71.00
Lafayette Winston M. S. Munson Deed L 582 Aug 5 1868 $1800 I labor Matagorda County summer home on beach + 360 head of cattle
Lafayette Winston S. L. S. Ballowe Deed L 554 Aug 7 1868 $250 all his running stock of cattle less 5
Thomas G. Masterson Trustee
Orange Swan Deed L 615 Oct 7 1869 1300 Foreclosure on note due Mills Bros $2100 paid
Asa E. Stratton Sr. Ball, Hutchings, & Sealy
Mortgage M 230/33 Jan 25 1870 1000 $9000 note Steam Engine, Mill and sugar crop 1870 as security
Edwin Kulkow Sherriff
Joel W. Jones Deed M 718/19 Dec 24 1871 666 2/3 $144 3/7 interest in ½
Stephen P. Winston
G. W. Stancel Bnkruptcy N 422 Mar 27 1871 List of assets exempt from sale
T. H. Duval U. S. Judge
Stephen P. Winston
Bnkruptcy N 413 May 30 1871 Declared Winston Bankrupt as of December 26, 1870
Edwin Kulkow Sherriff
William P. Ballinger
Deed N 233/34 Dec 24 1871 666 2/3 Lafayette lost 2 suits-$857 4/7 interest in ½
J. B. Copes Sheriff Estates of Orange Swann John D. Winston
Deed N 275 Oct 1 1872 1400 $6281.38 1/3 Orange Swan 2/3 John A. Winston Estates
William P. Ballinger Asa E. Stratton Deed N 281/82 Oct 14 1872 666 2/3 $1100 4/7 ½ intrst
Judith M. Winston Executrix
Asa E. Stratton Deed O 36/37 Oct 1 1873 $1500 All interest William Winston
Asa E. Stratton Sr. Robert M. Tevis Trustee
DT O 556/59 Feb 17 1875 553 12 Creditors stock & land as security
Asa E. Stratton Sr. Robert M. Tevis DT P 371 March 6 1876 All cotton & corn crop 1876 extend payment
Harris F. Bennett Asa E. Stratton Deed P 598 July 10 1875 500 Part of Cox’s heirs land 3 tracts
Asa Stratton Sr. Asa Stratton Jr.
Ball, Hutchings & Co.
DT Q 9/12 March 31 1877 1000 553
$13624.84 note Land & Livestock as Security
Asa Stratton Sr. Estate & Asa Stratton Jr.
Ball, Hutchings & Co.
Mortgage Q 522/23 Feb 2 1878 $5000 to run Oct. 1878-Jan 1, 1879 Sugar & cotton
Asa Stratton Sr. Estate & Asa Stratton Jr.
Ball, Hutchings & Co.
Mortgage S 110/11 Aug 7 1879 All crops of cotton, corn, & sugar with George O. Jarvis running the Plantation til 1
st year
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J. D. Stratton A. E. Stratton Jr.
Aaron Lewis Lease S 507/08 April 2 1880 1 Lease 1 acre to build store house to be sold back to Strattons after 5yrs
Jesse D.T. Stratton Asa E. Stratton Jr Trustee
DT T 14/16 Feb 8 1881 ½ interest in homestead security 2 notes $300 each
Sheriff W. H. Sharp C. R. Cox H. Masterson
Deed U 237/39 May 10 1882 1000 $143. 28 back taxes Less Binion 250 & 200 ac homestead 529 acres
Sheriff E.N. Wilson Harris Masterson Deed U 661/64 Jan 5 1883 1000 553
$400
Sheriff E. Wilson H. Masterson Deed U 657/59 Jan 5 1883 1000 1000 + 529 acre tracts- $50 & $25
Asa E. Stratton Jr. Ball Hutchings Co Deed V 723/27 Jan 11 1883 1000 553
J. D. T. Stratton William H. Crofton Deed V 393/94 Aug 17 1883 200 Homestead $1500
Sheriff E. N. Wilson
Estate Orange Swan
Deed V 97/99 May 11 1883 1400 $300 int, of Lathrop, Stratton, Masterson
John A. Winston H. Masterson Deed V 414/15 Aug 27 1883 75 $500 part of 200 acre homestead tract
William C. Crofton Erwin N. Wilson Deed X 266/68 March 3 1885 1000 553
$800 ½ Interest Stratton Plantation & Susan Cummings League
Annie C. Winston Huntsville Alabama
Lucretia Higgins Deed X 305/06 March 17 1885 75 $100 part of Homestead tract
E. M. Wilson Sheriff
W. H. Winston Mrs. A. W. Goldsby
Deed X 393/95 June 2 1885 1400 $1800 Old Reese Place less 200 acre homestead all rights of Annie & John Winston
Asa Stratton Jr. Erwin N. Wilson William H. Crofton
Deed X 444/46 July 21 1885 1000 553
$750 All his interest
Asa E. Stratton Jr. J. V. Hinkle & Co. Deed X 484/85 July 23 1885 $1400 cotton , corn livestock & rents
E. M. Wilson Sheriff
W. H. Winston Mrs. A. W. Goldsby
Deed X 651/53 Nov 3 1885 1400 $500 Old Reese Place less 200 acre homestead right of estate of Orange Swann
W. H. Crofton George F. Crofton Deed 1 450/51 Aug 1 1886 Stratton Homestead ¼ Int. Jesse Stratton
H. Masterson Ben Ward Deed 1 419/20 March 29 1888 60 Part Winston Homestead
W. H. Crofton Chris Rippe D. F. Rowe
Deed 3 353/55 Jan 14 1890 1000 $5000 ½ interest in 1000 acre & 553 acres & store
Ella Wilson Chris Rippe D. F. Rowe
Deed 4 313/16 Jan 16 1890 $9000 same + additional tracts
John D. Winston Heirs
John H. Craig Deed 34 300/04 Jan 27 1896 $4545.45 3 tracts out of the old Stephen Winston plantation
American National Bank
George Littlefield Deed 69 137/38 Jan 29 1906 1000 $19,593
George Littlefield S. E. Cole Deed 69 178/79 Jan 1 1906 1000 ½ interest $9796.56
J. G. & T. L. Smith George Littlefield S. E. Cole
Deed 77 522/23 Jan 1 1908 200 Homestead $2500
Sheriff Brazos Valley Plantation
Deed 202 187/91 Feb 2 1927 1000 Several Tracts
Brazos Valley Plantation Co.
Dr. Nelson M. Percy
Deed 202 192/94 Jan 6 1927
M. B. Kimmey Mrs. Nannie M. Stringfellow
Deed 406 245/46 July 22 1946 6.93
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Appendix F
35 Slaves Owned by Joseph Reese Estate 1849
Jim 32 Ned 10
Sam 18 Angelina 4
Horace 16 Infant girl of Jriece
Lewis 12 Mabinola 28
Reuben 10 Henry 12
Mariah 9 Isaac 30
Mary 7 Ann 28
Mike 6 Lucy 28
Amy 45 Nancy 9
Bill 45 Charlotte 3
Tom 30 Nelly 7
Louisa 30 Infant child of Ann
Kit 15 Infant child of Lucy108
Buck 13
Bob 11
Harrison 4
John 3
Arsu 45
Archo 28
Hannah 45
Jriece 20
Frank 13
Partition of Slaves Joseph Reese Estate January 1, 1850
Bennet Heirs Charles K. Reese William E. Reese Cox & Erwin Heirs
Arsu 35 Jim 30 Bill 45 Isaac 28
Archo 24 Sam 30 Tom 28 Mabinola 26
Hannah 48 Horace 17 Louisa 33 Anne 28
Jriece 22 Lewis 11 Kit 15 Infant of Anne
Angelina 5 Reuben 10 Buck 12 Lucy 28
Lemuel 2 Mariah 8 Harrison 5 Infant of Lucy
Frank 12 Mike 4 John 3 Henry 12
Ned 10 Mary 6 Bob 10 Nancy 9
Nelly 7
Charlotte 4109
108
Record of Wills: E 213/ 17 109
Record of Wills: E 262/67
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Slaves Owned by Anthony A. Winston 1852
Guy 60 Tiney 32
Thorton 29 Lucinda 14
Carter 27 Ellen 9
Daniel 25 Dorley 5
Bill Henry 21 Isabella 4
Rueben 30
Jack 36
Alfred 16
Owen 14
Collin 12
Pleasant 14110
Slaves Owned By Stephen P. Winston 1858
Anthony 40
His Wife Joyce 40
Shepperd 25
His Wife Judy 30
Her Children Jim 16
Louisa 14
Margeance 9
& child 2
Ruffan 28
Peyton 28
Abe 21
Alfred 16
Bob 25
His Wife Ardenia 22
Their Child 2
Pompey 21111
Slaves Owned By Fountain Winston 1858
Sam 48
Lucky (female) 49
Jo (boy) 11
Libey (female) 20
Her child
Edgar 32
110
BCDR: F 168/79 111
BCDR: H 361/63
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Ann 32
Her child Guy 12
Jenny 9
Henry 10
Nancy 6
Bob 27
Ed 20
Tiller (female) 50
Slaves Owned By Lafayette Winston 1858
Ben Lou 31
Green 22
Little John 25
Chris 22
Lewis 19
Little Ben 21
Mary 25
Her Child
Rachel 19
Her 2 Children
Mandy 10
Edy(female) 12
Little Andrew 9
Rhody (female) 8
Mary 4
Deny(female) 6
Tinker 6112
Appendix G
John A. Winston v Stephen P. Winston et al
District Court of Brazoria County, May 1883
Conclusion of fact—
I conclude from the evidence in the case that Wm. Winston died in Alabama prior to June 1857,
leaving a will which was probated in Alabama in June 1857, and in Brazoria Texas on the 30th
Nov. 1858. That at the time of his death and for several years prior thereto, said Wm. Winston
was the owner of the 1400 acres of land and improvements in controversy in this suit. That in
said will said Wm. Winston gave said land and improvements to Stephen P. Winston upon
condition that he (Stephen P. Winston) paid to Wm. Winston’s estate the sum of ten thousand
dollars with interest thereon from Apl. 3, 1857, one half to be paid by Dec. 25, 1858, and the
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other half by Dec. 25, 1859, and that said bequest was accepted by said Stephen P. Winston upon
the conditions named. That prior to the probate of Wm. Winston’s will in Brazoria County,
Texas and while said land appeared to belong to Wm. Winston’s estate, according to the records,
Stephen P. Winston on the 11th
January 1858, executed to Orange Swan the five notes sued on by
the Executor of said Swan and received by deed of trust as alleged and that said deed of trust was
recorded same day. That afterwards in January 1859, Stephen P. Winston transferred and
delivered to Orange Swan as collateral security for said five notes, two notes, both bearing date
March 23, 1858, and bearing 12% interest from their date, and both one January 1st 1859, one
drawn by Lafayette Winston and one by Fountain Winston, one for $6330.50 and the other for
$3000, said notes being good and well secured. That afterwards on the 12th
January 1860, and
while Orange Swan was still the holder of said five notes and the notes of Lafayette and Fountain
Winston as collateral security as aforesaid, and while the purchase money ($10,000) under said
will remained unpaid, the said Stephen P. Winston had for said purchase money and for other
money borrowed from John A. Winston, executed to said John A. the two notes for $14,000 each
and the deed of trust dated January 12th
1860, being the same notes and deed of trust sued on by
the plaintiff in this cause. Said deed of trust was recorded in the proper records of said Brazoria
County, on 25th
Jany 1860.Said notes are due and unpaid. I further find and conclude from the
facts that in consideration of the last named notes and the deed of trust in connection therewith,
that John A. Winston assumed, and on the 14th
Jany 1860 did pay to Wm. Winston’s estate the
$10,000 and interest, for said land and improvements as under said Wm. Winston’s will, the said
Stephen P. was required to do. I further conclude from the facts, that on the 20th
Dec. 1860,
Orange Swan without the knowledge or consent of John A. Winston appropriated the said notes
of Lafayette and Fountain Winston to his own use, by agreement with Stephen P. Winston, by
crediting said five notes with the sum of $3781.25, and by assuming certain other liabilities for
Stephen P. Winston, independent of the said five notes, and of Stephen P.’s liability to John A.,
and that the said sum ($3781.25) credited as aforesaid, and the amount assumed by Swan for S.
P. Winston, are about equal to said two notes of Fountain & Lafayette Winston, except that
according to the face of the notes, Swan got the advantage in the matter of interest. I further find
that in January and February 1861, Swan collected the Lafayette and Fountain Winston notes,
and surrendered to them the same, and that when they were so surrendered they amounted to
more than the amount then due on the aforesaid five notes, the interest on said five notes to Jany
1/61 having been paid by S. P. Winston. I further find Stephen P. Winston is dead, that his estate
is insolvent, that he died intestate that there is no administration and none necessary, that there is
no property of the estate except what is herein sought to be subjected in this suit and that the land
in controversy and the funds in receiver’s hands are not worth one fifth of the plaintiff’s debt that
John and Annie Winston are the only heirs of Stephen P. Winston. I further conclude that the
$10,000 purchase money and interest owing by Stephen P. Winston for the land in controversy is
a part of the purchase money for which the notes sued on by plaintiff were given and that the
same are now due and owing to John A. Winston’s Executor plaintiff herein.
I also conclude that the two notes referred to in the account of the Exrs of Wm. Winston
in Alabama date Jany 14, 1860, were executed by Stephen P. Winston and his mother Judith M.
Winston for the purchase money of said land, required to be paid under said will of Wm.
Winston.
I also conclude that Thos. G. Masterson as substitute trustee on Oct.9/69 sold the land in
controversy under Swan’s deed of trust and that a
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
Primary Sources
UNPUBLISHED PAPERS Brazoria County Historical Museum Library, Angleton, Texas
McCroskey Cabin File
Stratton Family File
Texas State Archives, Austin, Texas
Republic of Texas Claims 1835-1846
Texas Agricultural Census 1850
Texas Agricultural Census 1860
NEWSPAPERS AND PERIODICALS
Democrat and Planter, Columbia, Texas
San Luis Advocate, San Luis, Texas
Texas Planter, Brazoria, Texas
Texas State Times, Austin, Texas
The Texas Republican, Brazoria, Texas
The Texas Sun, Richmond, Texas
The Tri-Weekly Telegraph, Houston, Texas
The Weekly Telegraph, Houston, Texas,
GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS Deed Records Brazoria County, County Clerk’s Office, Angleton, Texas
Probate Records Brazoria County, County Clerk’s Office, Angleton, Texas
Brazoria County Tax Records on microfilm Brazoria County Historical Museum, Angleton,
Texas
Federal Population Schedule, Seventh Census of the United States.
1850 The State of Texas, Brazoria County
“Schedule 2—Slave Inhabitants in the County of Brazoria, Texas”
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Federal Population Schedule, Eighth Census of the United States.
1860 The State of Texas, Brazoria County
“Schedule 2—Slave Inhabitants in the County of Brazoria, Texas”
Federal Population Schedule, Ninth Census of the United States.
1870
Federal Population Schedule, Tenth Census of the United States.
1880
Secondary Sources
BOOKS, ESSAYS, THESES, AND DISSERTATIONS
Boddie, Mary Delaney, Thunder on the Brazos, Taylor Publishing Company, 1978
Champomier, P. A., Statement of the Sugar Crop Made in Louisiana in 1852-53, With An
Appendix, New Orleans, 1853
Champomier, P. A., Statement of the Sugar Crop Made in Louisiana in 1853-54, With An
Appendix, New Orleans, 1854
Champomier, P. A., Statement of the Sugar Crop Made in Louisiana in 1854-55, With An
Appendix, New Orleans, 1855
Champomier, P. A.Statement of the Sugar Crop Made in Louisiana in 1855-56, With An
Appendix, New Orleans, 1856.
Champomier, P. A., Statement of the Sugar Crop Made in Louisiana in 1858-59, With An
Appendix, New Orleans, 1859
Champomier, P. A., Statement of the Sugar Crop Made in Louisiana in 1860-61, With An
Appendix, New Orleans, Cook, Young, & Co., 1861
Green, Gen. Thomas J., Journal of the Texian Expedition Against Mier, The Steck Company,
Austin, Texas, 1935
Nance, Joseph Milton, Dare Devils All, Eakin Press, Austin, Texas, 1998
Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Series I Vol.
19, Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C., 1905
Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies in the War of the Rebellion, Series I Vol.
XXXIV, pt. 2, Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C.
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Platter, Allen Andrew, “Educational, Social, and Economic Characteristics of the Plantation
Culture of Brazoria County, Texas”, Doctorial Dissertation Education, University of Houston,
1961
Reese, Charles Keller IV, “The Reese and Allied Families”, January 1981
Stratton, Harriet Russell, ed., A Book of Strattons, Vol. II, Frederick H. Hitchcock, New York,
1918
Strobel, Abner J., The Old Plantations and Their Owners of Brazoria County, Texas, Lake
Jackson Historical Association, 2006
Willaims, Villamae, ed., Stephen F. Austin's Register of Families from the originals in the
General Land Office, Austin, Texas, Genealogical Pub. Co., Baltimore, Maryland, 1989
Wooster, Ralph A., Civil War Texas, Texas State Historical Association, Austin, Texas, 1999
Handbook of Texas Online