Indian Wars and Pioneers of Texas Page: 233 of 894
762 p., [172] leaves of plates : ill., ports. ; 30 cm.View a full description of this book.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
IND1AN VIX IS AN,VD P'JONEERN OF TEXAS. 1I
209
influence he was led to give his lieart to God and
to the perfect day of a happy immortality and
that a blessed reunion awaits them beyond the
grave.Mrs. Westbrook is a daughter of Allen Carr, who
came to Texas in 1858 and settled in Burleson
County, were he was for many years a prominent
citizen and she was reared.J. D. GIDDINGS,
BRENHAM.Jabez Demming Giddings was one of eight sons
of James Giddings, a farmer of Susquehanna
County, Pa.
James Giddings was descended from George
Giddings, of Saint Albans, Hertfordshire, England,
a gentleman of property, who emigrated to America
in 1635, settling in the town of Ipswich, Mass.
James was born in Norwich, Conn., June 29th,
1780. At an early age, he entered the merchant
marine, rising to a captaincy, with full charge of
cargo on attaining his majority.
In consequence of a shipwreck off the Carolina
coast in 1810, by which was destroyed the fruits of
many years of daring adventure and successful
trading, he abandoned the sea and settled on a
farm in the then wilderness of Western Pennsylvania.
He was a man of great firmness and bravery and
of an adventurous spirit, qualities generously
transmitted to his numerous progeny.
The mother of J. I). Giddings was Susie Demming,
of Connecticut, whose ancestors were early
immigrants from France, and who distinguished
themselves, as did the descentlants of George
Gid(lings, by tleir loyalty to the fortunes of the
American Colonies in the Revolutionary War.
In 1835 Giles A. Gilddings, an older brother of
J. D. Giddings, came to Texas to select and survey
a tract of land for a colony, but finding tle
Texians engaged in a struggle with Mexico, joined
the army of Gen. Houston, juist previous to the
battle of San Jacinto, and died from the effects of
wounds received in that engagement. The night
before the battle he wrote to his parents a letter
worthy of copying in full as a model of literary
excellence, but from whicll only a few sentences
will be quoted, as disclosing the patriotic courage
and love of liberty which marks his family.
"It is reported Houston will attack them,
[Santa Anna's army] in the morning. What will
be the result or fate of Texas is hid in the bowels of
14futurity. Yet I think we are engaged in the cause
of justice and I hope the God of battles will protect
us. * * * I was born in the land of freedom,
and taught to lisp the name of liberty with
my infant tongue and, rather than be driven out of
the country or submit to be a slave, I will leave my
bones to bleach on the plains of Texas. * * *
"Be not alarmed( about my safety. I am no
better, and my life no dearer, than those who gained
the liberty you enjoy."
In 1838, Mr. J. D. Giddings, having completed
his educational course at the Cassanovia Institute,
New York, came to Texas to settle the estate left
by his brother and, being pleased with the country,
located in Washington County. For about
two years after his arrival he taught school, studying
law during his leisure moments.
On a call for volunteers to avenge the raids of
Vasquez and Woll and to rescue the prisoners held
by the Mexicans, he promptly responded and remained
with Gen. Somervell's army until it was
officially disbanded, when he, with the great majority.
returnedl home, thus escaping the slaughter at
M ier.
As a means of support (luring the prosecution of
his legal studies, he sought the office of district
clerk, was elected, and served four years.
In 1844, he married Miss Ann M. Tarver,
daughter of Edmund T. Tarver, a prominent farmer,
who had moved to tile State from Tennessee in
1841.
On the expiration of his term of office as district
clerk, he was admitted to the bar, where he achieved
signal success, though numbering among his competitors
many of the greatest minds in the State.
Of a genial disposition and possessing a wonderfully
retentive memory; warmly sympathizing with
tlhe distressed and aiding the needyv with kindly generosity;
chlaritable to the faults of others, yet controlling
himself by the strictest code of moral principles,
his acquaintance became extensive, and ties
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This book can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Related Items
Other items on this site that are directly related to the current book.
Indian Wars and Pioneers of Texas (Book)
A history of pioneers in Texas and their confrontations with local American Indians.
Relationship to this item: (Has Format)
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Book.
Brown, John Henry. Indian Wars and Pioneers of Texas, book, 1880~; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth6725/m1/233/: accessed April 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Special Collections.