From Robert L. Cross: "Before Dad published his book, I went with him to interview Florence Babb. Florence was the surviving daughter of John Cross, W. H. Cross's oldest son (the son he wrote the letter to). Louisiana's Confederate records list W. H. Cross as "missing since the battle of Shiloh". We asked her if the family knew that W. H. had been killed at the battle. She told us what her father had told her: some time after the battle, someone from W. H.'s company came to their home in Claiborne Parish and asked John if he could identify a watch they had found next to a headless corpse. When he saw the watch, he knew his father was dead. Florence said that if you have read W. H.'s letter, you knew how close John and his father were and you could imagine his feelings upon seeing his father's watch.
From Allen Majors, Jr.: The General Land Office Records, Louisiana, show William Hunter Cross was granted 80.120 acres in township 21N, Section 32 of Claiborne Parish, Louisiana on January 15, 1859. It reports the BLM documents have his signature.
Courtesy of Allen Majors, Jr., we have in our file pictures from Shiloh, suggesting possible burial places for William H. Cross.
Missing in action. In one of the five large graves at Shiloh, Tennessee.
1880 Census in Sebastian Co., Arkansas, finds Lucy listed with her son Benjamin Andrew Cross. This census also says both of her parents were born in Tennessee--obviously incorrect.
Two deeds are registered at the Greenwood Co. Courthouse, Sebastian Co., AK on December 17, 1883. In one, Lucy sold to R. F. Cross the southeast 1/4 of the northeast 1/4 in section twenty eight of Township six north of range 31 west containing 40 acres for $500. In the second deed Lucy sold to B. A. Cross the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter in section 27 and the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter less six acres of the northeast corner in section 28 all in township six north of range 31 west for $250. (Two of her sons were Robert Franklin and Benjamin Andrew Cross.)
Documents copied by Gene Cross for his book: State of Louisiana, Parish of Claiborne:
(1) Lucy W. Cross swears as "Natural Tutrix" to care for minor children: Benjamin A., Leonidas S., Teritha J., Robert F., and Sarah C. Cross on 30 March 1868.
(2) John W. Cross swears the same as "Under Tutor" on the same date as above.
(3) Petition for family meeting, Sept. 27, 1870: Lucy W. Cross asks Court Order for family meeting--to be composed of E. M. Oaks, Reuben L. Oaks, Cozins; also J. F. Ford, E. R. Cook, and M. R. Bryan, friends of said Minors - in regard to the interest of said minors for the purpose of advising as to interest of said minors in regard to the sale of Lands held in Common between herself, her minor Children, and the Major Heirs. Filed and granted 27 Sept. 1870.
In the decision, reference is made to lands held in common between Mrs. Lucy W. Cross and her Major and Minor children. The decision of this meeting - with support of law - empowered Lucy to sell land at private sale for not less than $1500. Land description in Sections 21 and 22 of Township 20, Range 5 W, appears in the document. This land was bought by W. H. Ross.
(4) Several deeds were copied. For exact land descriptions, see these deeds. (a) Oct. 9, 1855 - William H. Cross paid $200 for 40.06 acres from H. A. Robinson in Sec. 32, Township 21, Range 5 W. (b) March 10, 1858 - William H. Cross bought the land in Sections 21 and 22, Township 20, described in the 1870 petition from James Ford for $100 cash. (c) March 10, 1858 (same date as above) James Ford bought land in Sections 32 and 33 (240 acres), Township 21, Range 5 W from William H. Cross for $1680 cash.
FEDERAL CENSUS, 1880, Sebastian Co, Ark: This family is listed with William H., Edwin P, Rufus, Territhy, and Robbie--all data agrees.Sebastian County Original Land Records list John W. Cross, 1883, Sec. 27, Tnshp 6, Range 31.
Gene Cross has date as Nov. 10, 1845. Tombstone says Nov. 10, 1846.
Double tombstone reads: "They trusted in the righteousness of faith in Jesus."
Family information listed from Gene Cross book.
FEDERAL CENSUS; Sebastian Co, Ark, 1880:
This family is listed with children James L, Andrew, and Thelston; all data the same. Also counted with this family is Benjamin's mother, Lucy W. Cross, age 54, born in Alabama and both parents in TN; and a laborer, George Jones, age 23, born in Texas and parents in KY.According to Goodspeed's History of Sebastian County, in 1889 B. A. Cross is listed as a grocer in the Witcherville Business Directory.
Administrator's Bond, copied in Greenwood Courthouse, Sebastian Co., Arkansas, dated April 5, 1924, naming M. T. Cross as administrator of the estate of L. S. Cross, was signed by M. T. Cross, G. R. Holbrook, M. U. Cross, and A. K. Hocott.
The Affidavit and Application for Letters of Administration filed by M. T. Cross on April 5, 1924, also copied in Greenwood Courthouse, names the heirs of L. S. Cross as follows: Mrs. L. S. Cross, Andy Cross, Mrs. L. O. Gilliam, M. U. Cross, Mrs. A. K. Hocott, M. T. Cross, I. L. Cross, W. E. Cross, Mrs. H. C. Moore, Mrs. J. W. Kessner, Mrs. A. C. Harris. This list includes Matilda Kelly Cross and all the children of Matilda and Leonidas Scafe Cross who grew to adults except Albert Burton, who died in 1906.
Tombstone and Cross book say 26 June 1853; Tom Hedges cites Laster book: 20 June 1853.
HAD SIX CHILDREN. NO PAGE IN CROSS BOOK FOR THIS FAMILY--ALL INFORMATION TAKEN FROM PAGE 1.
Gene Cross says 1856. I copied 1858 from the Tombstone??
There is no page for this family in the Cross Family Book; All information was taken from page one.
The marriage license copied in Greenwood County Courthouse lists J. D. Mendenhall, age 28; and Sarah C. Cross, age 18.
1880 Census Place: Jonesville, Union, South Carolina
Source: FHL Film 1255242 National Archives Film T9-1242 Page 565D
Relation Sex Marr Race Age Birthplace
John MAYES Self M M W 66 SC
Occ: Farmer Fa: SC Mo: SC
Margaret MAYES Wife F M W 50 SC
Occ: Keeping House Fa: SC Mo: SC
Aunt states that John Wesley Scott was the brother of Artie Mencie
Louisa Anderson Scott and that John Fletcher Scott was their father.
John Fletcher's date of birth and death are recorded in John Wesley's
bible record. Aunt states also that John Fletcher and his wife came
to Texas with Artie and her husband, Wiley Jefferson Ward. Burial
stones in Dover Cemetery for John Fletcher Scott and Sarah Scott match
birth/death dates in John Wesley Scott's bible record.
Susan is buried at New Hope Church. She died of consumption of the
throad. Her death notice states she was the m/o 10 children, 2 sons
and 4 daughters survived her. She married J.W.Scott in Nov. 1866.
All Information on the descendents of this person came from Denise M. Ward
Contact at walleyward@aol.comNote: South Carolina Bible Records edited by Dorothy Harris Phifer. Edward
Mayes Fmaily Bible Record, original in possession of Dr. James Scott
of Jonesville, SC.