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Terry Mason's Family History Site50,119 names. Major lines: Allen, Beck, Borden, Buck, Burden, Carpenter, Carper, Cobb, Cook, Cornell, Cowan, Daffron, Davis, Downing, Faubion, Fauntleroy, Fenter, Fishback, Foulks, Gray, Harris, Heimbach, Henn, Holland, Holtzclaw, Jackson, Jameson, Johnson, Jones, King, Lewis, Mason, Massengill, McAnnally, Moore, Morgan, Overstreet, Price, Peck, Rice, Richardson, Rogers, Samuel, Smith, Taylor, Thomas, Wade, Warren, Weeks, Webb, Wodell, Yeiser. |
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1Arizona State Department Of Health, Arizona Certificate, Birth #274, reg 84, 1911, Arizona Territorial Board Of Health. "John Mets Mason born in Tucson, Pima, Arizona at 9:45 P.M. Male. 26Apr1911. Father: Richard L. Mason, 45, white, of Tucson. Birthplace: Illinois. Occupation: Dispatcher (R.R.) Mother: Catherine Borden (maiden name), 43, white, of Tucson. Birthplace: Kentucky. Housewife." Copy in possn of T. Mason.
2U.S. Social Security Death Index. "526-01-5096 Arizona
Death Residence Localities: Rincon, Pima, Arizona
Tucson, Pima, Arizona."3Arizona State Department Of Health, Arizona Certificate. "MARRIAGE LICENSE: State of Arizona, County of Pima. Authority to join in marriage John M. Mason, age 25 and Ruth A. Thomas, age 22. Witnessed 2nd of May 1936. Lenna H. Burges, Clerk of the Superior Court.
MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE: State of Arizona, County of Pima. I do hereby certify that John M. Mason and Ruth A. Thomas were joined in Marriage by me at Tucson, in the county of Pima, State of Arizona, on the 22nd day of May 1936. Edgar C. Burnz, Minister. Witnesses: Mrs. H.L. Herrmann & R.L. Mason.
Certificate of Record: Filed and Recorded June 8th, 1936 at 4:00 in Book 14 of Marriages, at page 563. Lenna H. Burges, Clerk of the Superior Court.
Registered copy in John Mason file. Issued on 16th day of May 1947 by Belle D. Hall."4Arizona State Department Of Health, Arizona Certificate, Certificate. Image.
1Department of Health, Utah Certificate, Death # 18-3747, 6 Sep 2000, State of Utah, 610 S. 200 E., Salt Lake City, Utah.
2Arizona State Department Of Health, Arizona Certificate, Arizona Territorial Board Of Health. "MARRIAGE LICENSE: State of Arizona, County of Pima. Authority to join in marriage John M. Mason, age 25 and Ruth A. Thomas, age 22. Witnessed 2nd of May 1936. Lenna H. Burges, Clerk of the Superior Court.
MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE: State of Arizona, County of Pima. I do hereby certify that John M. Mason and Ruth A. Thomas were joined in Marriage by me at Tucson, in the county of Pima, State of Arizona, on the 22nd day of May 1936. Edgar C. Burnz, Minister. Witnesses: Mrs. H.L. Herrmann & R.L. Mason.
Certificate of Record: Filed and Recorded June 8th, 1936 at 4:00 in Book 14 of Marriages, at page 563. Lenna H. Burges, Clerk of the Superior Court.
Registered copy in John Mason file. Issued on 16th day of May 1947 by Belle D. Hall."3Arizona State Department Of Health, Arizona Certificate, Certificate. Image.
11900 U.S. Census, T623_838 pg 27B, 19 Jun 1900. "Mason, Richard L Head WM Sep 1866 33 M 10 Illinois Kentucky Kentucky Train Dispatcher
-----, Catherine F Wife WF Sep 1868 31 M 10 6 6 Kentucky North Carolina Kentucky
-----, Benjamin son WM Dec 1890 9 S Kentucky Illinois Kentucky
-----, Elizabeth D dau WF Aug 1892 7 S Kentucky Illinois Kentucky
-----, Sarah Y dau WF Mar 1895 5 S Arizona Illinois Kentucky
-----, Louis L son WM Jun 1896 4 S Indian Territory Illinois Kentucky
-----, Richard L son WM Dec 1897 2 S Arkansas Illinois Kentucky
-----, Catherine F daughter WF Sep 1899 9/12 S Missouri Illinois Kentucky
Borden, Emma Sis in-law WF Feb 1848 52 S Arkansas North Carolina Kentucky."21910 U.S. Census, T624_41 pg 265, 15 Apr 1910. "Mason, R. L. Head MW 43 M 20 Illinois unknown unknown Dispatcheer RR. Dispatching
-----, Katherine Wife FW 41 M 20 10 10 Kentucky North Carolina Kentucky Machinist RR shop machinist
-----, Benj Son MW 19 S Kentucky Illinois Kentucky Accountant RR office
-----, Elizabeth Daughter FW 17 S Kentucky Illinois Kentucky In School
-----, Sarah Daughter FW 15 S Arizona Illinois Kentucky In School
-----, Lewis Son MW 13 Oklahoma Illinois Kentucky In School
-----, Richard Son MW 12 Arkansas Illinois Kentucky In School
-----, Katherine Daughter FW 10 Missouri Illinois Kentucky In School
-----, Margaret Daughter FW 9 Oklahoma Illinois Kentucky In School
-----, Philip Son MW 6 Texas Illinois Kentucky In School
-----, Emma Daughter FW 4 Arizona Illinois Kentucky
-----, Mary Daughter FW 1 Arizona Illinois Kentucky
Borden, Emma Sister-in-law FW 24 Arkansas North Carolina Kentucky."31920 U.S. Census, T625_51 pg 11A, 16 Jan 1920. "Mason, Richard L. Head MW 53 M Illinois Kentucky Kentucky Agent R.R. Depot
-----, Katherine Wife FW 51 M Kentucky North Carolina Kentucky
-----, Margaret G Daughter FW 19 S Oklahoma Illinois Kentucky Book keeper - Department Store
-----, Philip G Son MW 15 S Texas Illinois Kentucky Telephone Operator - Long Distance
-----, Emma D Daughter FW 13 S Arizona Illinois Kentucky
-----, Mary P Daughter FW 10 S Arizona Illinois Kentucky
-----, John M Son MW 8 S Arizona Illinois Kentucky."41930 U.S. Census, T626_63 pg 1A Dist 10, 7 Apr 1930. "Mason, Richard L Head MW 62 M 23 Illinois Kentucky Kentucky Telegraph Operator Railroad
-----, Catherine F Wife 60 FW 60 M 21 Kentucky North Carolina Kentucky."
11870 U.S. Census, M593_268 pg 116, 11 Jul 1870. "Mason, L L. 58 MW Farmer Ky
-----, Elizabeth L 48 FW Keeping house Ky
-----, Betsey 24 FW Ky
-----, Molley 21 FW Ky
-----, Lewis L 17 MW Attending School Ky
-----, Marcus 14 MW At home Ky
-----, John G 8 MW At home Ky
-----, Richard L 3 MW Ill."
Elizabeth Lee (Bettie) Downing
11880 U.S. Census, FHL Film 1254053; National Archives Film T9-0053; Page 299B.
21880 U.S. Census, FHL Film 1254053; National Archives Film T9-0053; Page 299B. "L. L. MASON Self MW S 27 KY Occ: Farmer Fa: KY Mo: KY
Elizabeth MASON Mother FW Wd 57 KY Occ: Keeping House Fa: KY Mo: KY
Mollie Ann MASON Sister FW 29 S KY Occ: At Home Fa: KY Mo: KY
Marcus MASON Brother MW 24 S KY Occ: At Home Fa: KY Mo: KY
John G. MASON Brother MW 18 S KY Occ: Laboring Fa: KY Mo: KY
Richard L. MASON Brother MW 13 S KY Occ: At Home Fa: KY Mo: KY
Robt. DIAMOND Other MW 17 S AR Occ: Laborer - Boarder Fa: IL Mo: LA."
Rev. Prof. Benjamin John Borden
11880 U.S. Census, FHL Film 1254437; National Archives Film T9-0437; Page 3B. "Census Place: La Grange, Oldham, Kentucky
Household: Rel Sex Marr Race Age Bpl
Benjamine BORDEN Self M M W 62 NC Occ: School Teacher Fa: VA Mo: NC
Sarah J. BORDEN Wife F M W 55 KY Occ: Keeping House Fa: MD Mo: VA
Emma BORDEN Dau F S W 24 AR Occ: School Teacher Fa: VA Mo: VA
Alice BORDEN Dau F S W 20 AR Occ: At Home Fa: NC Mo: VA
Sally H. BORDEN Dau F S W 18 AR Occ: School Teacher Fa: NC Mo: VA
John A. BORDEN Son M S W 16 AR Occ: At Home Fa: NC Mo: VA
Kitty F. BORDEN Dau F S W 12 KY Occ: At Home Fa: NC Mo: VA."2Arkansas Historical Quarterly, Volume 17 p. 68, Spring 1958. "ARKANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY, Volume 17 (Spring 1958), p. 68
TULIP IN HER GLORY
by Hershel Kennon Smith, Jr.
Nashville, Tennessee
Most Arkansans have long forgotten or have never known the glory of antebellum Tulip, once called 'the "Athens of Arkansas." It is the purpose of this article to record some interesting events of its history.
Tulip is situated in Dallas county, its chief enterprise being that of farming. After Arkansas became a state in the Union (1836) this area was the center of much settlement. About 1841, Tyre (Tarry) Brown from Tennessee, settled and built his cabin on the site. A short time later Moses Overton built a store on Tulip Creek, three miles west of present-day Tulip. It was here that the mail was left and settlers for many miles around came to get their mail.
Tulip was not a village, but rather the name of a mail-stop. The name had been chosen for the settlement because of the beautiful Tulip trees that abounded there. The scene was soon to change for in the summer of 1843, Colonel Maurice Smith, of Fayette County, Tennessee, had sent an overseer and sufficient slaves to the site of Tulip to make a corn crop, for the Colonel was planning to bring his family to the settlement. In October Colonel Smith, his son-in-law and daughter, Dr. W. B. Langley and Cornelia (Smith) Langley, their overseers and slaves started from Tennessee for Dallas county. It was a hard journey to make across the Mississippi River, through the Saint Francis bottoms, while it rained and snowed upon the little caravan of wagons as they made their way westward.
After arriving in Tulip Colonel Smith had his slaves build a comfortable dwelling, and he returned to Tennessee before Christmas. The following year, 1844, was spent in disposing of his lands and preparing his family for the movement to Arkansas. In October of that year they started out and got to Tulip before harsh winter came. People generally traveled in the spring and fall seasons of the year to escape the fatigue that they would stuffer from the hot summer and the bitterness of winter. This is what the Smiths did.
Colonel Maurice Smith encouraged his kin to come to Tulip and many did. For generations the Smiths had been wealthy planters in North Carolina. Colonel Smith had served in the North Carolina Senate in the years 1828-29, as his father had done twenty-five years before. The Smiths were cultured people, accustomed to the niceties of life, and with their stubborn will had accomplished much good for themselves and others. Several of the kin came to look Dallas county over and found, as Reverend J. E. Caldwell wrote in 1907:
"I hesitate not to say that Tulip Ridge . . . healthfulness of climate, beauty of forest . . . was second to no place in this or any other state."
In 1845, Samuel Webb Smith, of Granville County, North Carolina, and Dr. Lewis Downey Cooper, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, first cousins to the Colonel, came to Tulip and decided to make their permanent homes there. Samuel W. Smith went back to North Carolina and when he returned to Arkansas he had to pay toll tax on a bridge that his own slaves had built on the previous trip. In 1848, Judge Willis L. Somervell and General Nathaniel G. Smith (no kin to Colonel Smith) came from Hardeman County, Tennessee, and were followed by their brother-in-law, Samuel Harrison Smith (brother of Col. Smith), in 1849. In July, 1854, Major Thomas Reid (brother-in-law of Colonel Smith) completed the emigration of the family to Tulip. These people, combining their fortunes, were soon to come into prominence in Arkansas.
Reverend John Rayor, a Methodist minister, had opened a little school for Tulip children in the 1840 's. In the winter of 1850 several interested citizens of Tulip chartered the Arkansas Military Institute and the Tulip Female Seminary. The names of those incorporators were: Colonel Maurice Smith, General Nathaniel G. Smith, Judge W. L. Somervell, Major George C. Eaton, J. J. Samuel, Dr. William Bethel, Samuel H. Smith, Major B. J. Borden, and Hector McNeill.
At one of the early meetings of these men, the "Board of Guardians," a visitor was present who recorded his impression of the event in the August 30, 1850 issue of the Arkansas Gazette:
"It is true, I have seen finer dressed gentlemen, greater display of pendantry and ostentation, more ceremony, etc.; but I have not met any where a set of men of more practical and comprehensive morality, more devotion to the cause of literature, or who seemed to entertain a more enlightened conception of their duty to the rising generations."
General Nathaniel G. Smith was chosen president of the schools; Thomas O. Benton and George D. Alexander headed the Institute; Ben Watson and J. S. McAlister headed the Seminary. With the new institutions of learning in Tulip its Golden Age was ushered in, for students came from all over Arkansas. The cadets at the military institute were sturdy young men, wearing the same style of suits as the West Point cadets, differing only in the buttons of their uniforms. It was a busy life they led. Among their studies were ancient languages, surveying, military tactics, mathematics, chemistry, and philosophy. The most exciting time at the Institute was parade day. Tulip citizens were proud of their marching grounds and its one hundred and fifty foot flagpole.
The churches of Tulip played a major part in its development. The strongest of which was that of the Methodist faith. Reverend William Mason helped establish the first Methodist church in Tulip, 1848. The Baptists and Presbyterians had fewer members, but there was co-operation between the churches.
The houses of Tulip were generally very attractive and sat back from the main thoroughfares and were embraced by tall oaks and mimosa trees. These dwellings had large rooms, wide hallways, deep verandas and luxurious furnishings. Every room had a large fireplace. On long winter evenings families sat contented around the family circle before the great fires that blazed in the fireplaces.
The children of Tulip were usually very happy little people. Every few days the great stage coach bearing mail and news from elsewhere came tumbling down the dusty roads to Tulip.
The riders would blow their great trumpets and people ran out to wave to the rider and passengers. Then, too, there was May Day. It was the duty of children to make little speeches before the people gathered for the May Day ceremony. Of course, noted lawyers and locally prominent men spoke on these occasions, also. Governor John Selden Roane spoke there in May, 1854.
Revival time was always an active time for people from around Tulip, for they came miles to hear the preaching of the enthusiastic ministers. During one such meeting William Hargrove Smith, one of S. W. Smith's sons, was returning from a horse race, saw that a revival service was being held at the church and he went in. He sat at the back row and listened very intently to the sermon and was greatly moved by it, so much that when the call for the "mourners" was made to come to the front where "repenters" would kneel down and pray for forgiveness, he went with the rest. When he did go, a man who had a personal grudge against him made a show of his having come to the front and Smith just took the spurs from the heel of his shoe and jabbed them into the old brother, walked out of the church never to re-enter it.
By 1860, Tulip was a well known place, and its wealth was tremendous. It had come a long way since the earlier years when only the Indians had traversed back and forth over the site.
On May 6, 1861, Arkansas seceded from the Union. The War Between the States had started the previous April. Early in '61 Captain Albert Pike came to Tulip to instruct its young men in the art of war. On June 25, 1861, a company was raised at Tulip under the leadership of Captain George D. Alexander, a leader of the military institute at Tulip which was then closed. This was Company One of the Third Arkansas Infantry. The Smith clan was represented in this company by: Bill Nat Smith, John M. Smith, W. H. Reid, Richard Ivey Smith, John M. Somervell, Willis Somervell, Lemuel P. Smith, and Samuel W. Smith, Jr. These young dandies rode off to Lynchburg, Virginia, where they were mustered into Confederate service on July 5, 1861.
This little company suffered much during the course of the war, serving in the state of Virginia.
Dallas Countians had war brought very close to them in 1863. On April 30 of that year the Battle of Saline River was fought a short distance from Tulip. The federals afterwards went through Tulip on their way to Little Rock. The little town was burned and ravaged. Major Tom Reid was almost hanged for "cursing" the soldiers as they ravaged his home, and was saved only by the entreating cries from his wife to the Federal officer for his life. Samuel W. Smith, Sr., was marched with his young son, Bob Smith, to Little Rock and being exposed to the elements contacted pneumonia, returning home by order of the governor, dying soon afterwards. Dwellings were burned and wounded soldiers were brought to several homes to be cared for; many died and were buried in the Tulip cemetery. Corn, meal, and cattle were taken, while the slaves were freed, roaming about at will. During the battle, Colonel Maurice Smith had knelt in sincere prayer asking that God be with Tulip. His home was not ravaged as it was out of the marching path of the soldiers.
Finally, after four long years of bitter conflict, the war came to an end. Tulip was no more a place of great glory. Its buildings lay in ruin or were in bad need of repair and the fields were barren. Most of all, many of its citizens had died during and soon after those terrible years. Judge Somervell had died a refugee in Texas, 1864; General Nathaniel G. Smith died in 1867; Fanny Smith died in 1862; Gallatin Smith in 1863.
In the following years the old Tulip citizens moved away to other places, at Camden, Pine Bluff, Malvern, and Little Rock. The last of the founders of Tulip, Colonel Maurice Smith, died in 1871.
The present-day visitor to the site of Tulip sees rolling fields and forests. The old Tulip cemetery is occasionally visited, and it is here that one can afford to dream of the glory of Tulip when it was the "Athens of Arkansas."." http://simpsonhistory.com/notes/tyre.html.3Boyle County, Kentucky, Kentucky - Marriage Bonds 1842-1879, Book 1 Page 63, 28 Oct 1844, State of Kentucky, Boyle County, Kentucky. Copy in possn of T.Mason. "Groom: BORDEN, Benjamin J.; Bride: YEISER, Sarah; Bondsman: John YEISER; Person Giving Consent: Daniel YEISER; Consent Code: FB."
1Boyle County, Kentucky, Kentucky - Marriage Bonds 1842-1879, Book 1 Page 63, 28 Oct 1844, State of Kentucky, Boyle County, Kentucky. Copy in possn of T.Mason. "Groom: BORDEN, Benjamin J.; Bride: YEISER, Sarah; Bondsman: John YEISER; Person Giving Consent: Daniel YEISER; Consent Code: FB."
1California Death Index 1940-1997. "Name: AHRENS, WILLIAM J
Social Security #: 568202520
Sex: MALE
Birth Date: 10 Aug 1888
Birthplace: NEW YORK
Death Date: 24 Mar 1967
Death Place: LOS ANGELES."
