Wilburn Tid Bits (stories and documents that have been collected over the
years)
Forward:
All the documents we collected require no explanation and should speak for
themselves, however, the stories that were collected have been passed down by
"word of mouth," consequently, there is always a chance that their content may
have changed over the years.
After reading this document you may recall other stories passed down to you
by your parents, grandparents. Hopefully, you will provide us with these stories
so we can share them with other members of your extended family.
- We located an article that was written in the early 1900s by Milton M.
Dodson who lived in Mathis Texas at that time. He indicated that he used to
live in Live Oak County in the 1850's and he became a Texas Ranger in November
of 1859 and fought in the Cortinas War. He also named some of the Rangers that
he fought with of whom one was James (Jim) Wilburn. We are quite
sure that this was Richard Brown Wilburn's brother James. We also have
documentation that Richard Brown Wilburn also from Live Oak County fought in
the Cortinas Wars. (Documentation by JWH)
- Ebenezer Wilburn (Richard Brown Wilburn's brother) was on the 1857 Live
Oak County Tax Assessment Record. He owned 1 slave, 3 horses and 50 head of
cattle. He died or was killed about 1857 or 1858. He was not mentioned on the
1858 County Tax Records. And his mother indicated he was deceased in her 1859
Will. (Documentation by JWH)
- Agapita Garcia Navarro was born December 6, 1830 and died December
18,1912. After a two month bout with chronic bronchitis, she died at the age
of 82. At the time of her death she was living at 520 Cameron St., San
Antonio, Tx. (Reference death certificate file number: Page 201, # 130, 1912).
She is buried at the San Fernando Cemetery #1 in San Antonio. (Documentation
by NWM)
- Encarnacion was born in December 1842 in Cameron County?, Texas. She died
in Atascosa County (Poteet) in 1899 and is buried in the Willborn Cemetery. We
also have a document that indicates she was born in Durango, Mexico. While
others say she came from Rosita, Mexico and others indicate she was born in
Texas. We don't know for sure where she was born but we are following up leads
with the curator of the Navarro Museum on Laredo Street. Some of Agapita and
Encarnacion Garcia's kinfolk came from Nueva Rosita, Mexico located
approximately 40 miles south-west of Eagles Pass. Some also came from the San
Benito area near Harlingen. The San Benito area might have been a temporary
move. It is believed that Richard B. married Encarnacion in Live Oak County,
Texas in 1861 since both were living there during the June 1860 Census.
Encarnacion was living there with her family. Her fathers name was Juan and
her mothers name was Martha. Her parents were both 60 years of age in 1860.
(Documentation by NWM and JWH)
- Richard B. Wilburn (Willborn)was one of the original
land owners in Jim Wells County, TX. He also owned property in Brownsville
(Cameron County). (Documentation by AW)
- Even though Richard D., Elizabeth, and George Wilburn Sr., were born near
San Diego, Texas during the later part of the 1860's, we could not locate
their birth certificates. The County Clerk, indicated that it was not unusual
for births not to be recorded during that era. However, we are in possession
of George Wilburn Sr.'s baptismal record from a Catholic Church in San Diego.
Note: On this certificate his father went by the name of "Brown Wilburn."
(Documentation by AW)
- Richard B., while a Texas Ranger in the late 1850's, was wounded in a
skirmish with hostile Indians in Mexico. He was nursed back to health by the
Garcia family or relatives of the Garcia family near Nueva Rosita, Mexico
although we can't corroborate this. One of the Wilburn relatives who passed
away in 1991 remembered seeing several wound scars on Richard's leg which came
from Indian arrows. We are in possession of documentation that shows that
"Brown Wilburn" from Live Oak County was a Private in the Texas Rangers from
Nov 5, 1859 until Dec 10, 1859. His age was listed as 21. He enlisted in the
Rangers for the "Cortinas War." When he mustered out he was paid $31.80. $3.00
for clothing, $12.00 for 36 days of active duty, and $14.40 for hire of horse.
He was also a Texas Ranger on several other different occasions (usually no
more than 30 days duration each time) with the specific purpose to protect the
citizenry from bandits and hostile Indians. (Documentation by NWM and JWH)
- A Richard Hilburn age 41 and a Richardson Hilburn age 20 (both from
Tennessee) were assigned to the Texian Ranging Company located on the west
bank of the Leona River. This Company was commanded by the famous Texas Ranger
William A. A. "Big Foot" Wallace. (Verified via the 1850 Bexar County Census).
The Leona River flows through Uvalde, Texas. Perhaps this is where the Texas
Rangers had their Company Headquarters. Note: In 1850 Bexar County
encompassed about 50% of the Texas land area. Also, Fort Inge was located four
miles south of Uvalde. There was a big Indian battle in a place called the
"Black Hills" sixteen miles from where the town of Cotulla is now located
(LaSalle County). We believe that these Hilburns fought in this battle.
Reference page 155 of the book "Life of Big Foot Wallace" written by A.J.
Sowell. (Documentation by AW and JWH)
- In 1963, Ivy Wilborn Sr. told a story of a Wilburn, or someone related to
the Wilburns back east that had a lumber mill. Also in 1963, Max Sr. told of
hearing a story about "Chicken George". The "Chicken George" story was
conveyed to Norberto Martinez Jr. by Max Wilborn about 14 years before the
Alex Haley novel, "Roots" was made into a movie. It appears that "Chicken
George" lived most of his life around Caswell County, NC. He traveled a lot
around North Carolina participating in cock fights. On a few occasions he
visited, Virginia, South Carolina, and he lived four years in England.
Note : Max Sr said as a youngster he heard a story about a man named
"Chicken George" from back east. He did not say how much of the story he
recalled, but it was somehow related to the Wilburn story. Norberto did not
ask Max Sr to expound on this story so additional information is probably
lost. Was Chicken George a slave of a neighbor, friend, or family member?
(Documentation by NWM)
- Richard along with several other Texans went to Richmond, Virginia to
fight for the Confederacy. We know that he was in Richmond Va. for some time
from the letters that Ben Willborn saw. Around 1862 several Texas wives who
had husbands stationed in Virginia wrote them letters asking them to come home
because of the hardships they were enduring. In addition, some of the wives
implied in these letters that improprieties were being committed by some of
the men that were still at home. This infuriated the recipients of these
letters and the word spread quickly to other Texans in Virginia. Not long
after that a large contingent of these men asked to be furloughed so they
could go back to Texas to resolve their family problems. Even though we don't
believe Richard B. got a letter, we believe he came back to Texas because of
the hardship factor. (Ref: Texas History authored by John Salmon "Rip" Ford).
In December of 1863 Colonel Rip Ford was commissioned to organize a military
unit to take control of the Rio Grande Valley area (from Brownsville to Eagle
Pass). This unit was called the "Cavalry of the West" which
consisted of an irregular band of volunteers. It is believed that
Richard joined this unit and stayed with it until it was disbanded in May
1865. Richard's previous experience as a Texas Ranger in South Texas made him
a valuable commodity to his unit and we believe he was eventually elevated to
the rank of Captain. His duties were to keep the Rio Grande River open/secure
as a trade route to England where cotton and other raw materials were traded
for war goods. The cotton was sneaked into Mexico through Matamoras. Captain
Wilburn fought in the last land battle of the civil war. The war was
officially over when General Robert E. Lee surrendered in April 1865 but the
Confederate military around Brownsville did not know the war was over. On May
13th of that year his unit attacked the Union encampment at a place called
Palmitto Hill (near Brownsville) which was made up of the 62nd Infantry (Negro
soldiers), the 34th Indiana, and some small units of the First Texas Cavalry
(Union). His unit of about 300 cavalrymen charged the Hill with the intent of
defeating the Negro Yankee soldiers. That charge was overwhelming and their
victory was staggering. No confederates were dead although several were
wounded. Whereas, by comparison, the 34th Indiana had 220 casualties of the
300 men of its rolls. Captain Wilburn, during the battle, somehow fell off his
horse and while he was lying on the ground, face down, he received a minor
wound from a Union soldier (pistol shot) on the neck behind his ear. He never
knew why the Union soldier did not kill him. A couple of days after this
battle, news of Lee's surrender reached them. (Note: Ben Willborn remembers
stories of his grandfather (Richard B.) being a Captain in the Confederate
Army. Alfred Wilburn Jr. believes that Celso Navarro and Richard Brown fought
together for the Confederacy. It should also be noted that Jose Antonio
Navarro did not fight in the Civil War and supported the Union's cause.)
(Documentation by NWM, AW and JWH)
- The above information derived from: Memoirs of Colonel Rip Ford and
Ferdinand Columbus Willbern's manuscripts published in the book titled The
Old Man of the Glen - authored by Roy Willburn of San Marcos, Texas.
Note: At this time we do not know if Ferdinand Columbus Willbern (b.
1827, d. 1903) was related in any way to Richard Wilburn. We do know that his
family roots can be traced back to Tennessee and North Carolina and he
eventually settled in Karnes County, Texas. We also know that he was
conscripted into the Confederate Army even though he supported the Union.
Eventually, he deserted the Confederate Infantry Unit he was assigned to and
joined the Union Army near Brownsville. (Documentation by JWH)
- When Richard joined the confederacy he left his wife in Tyler, (Smith
County) Texas (Summer of 1861?), with the Welbourn family, before he went to
Richmond, Va. When he came back to Texas from Richmond (1862 ?) he brought
Encarnacion to Oakville,
Live Oak County, Texas to stay with her family and eventually to Mexico to
stay with relatives. He believed it would be better and safer for her to stay
in Mexico during the civil war. In addition, it afforded him the opportunity
to visit his wife more frequently - hence the birth of his first two children,
James and Permelia in Mexico. As best can be ascertained it is believed James
was born in early 1863 and Permelia was born in 1864. When the war was over
Richard Jr. brought his family back to the Texas where he registered James and
Permelia as U.S. citizens in June, 1865. (Note: James Sr. date of birth
inscription on his gravestone at the Willborn Cemetery in Poteet is incorrect.
The date of birth indicated on his gravestone is the date he and Permelia were
registered as U.S. citizens. Also, it is believed that Richard left
Encarnacion with relatives near Tyler, Texas when he left for Virginia. Note:
There is a possibility that Permelia and James were naturalized in Duval
County since Richard B. settled there after the Civil War. He owned property
in Jim Wells County, not far from San Diego, TX. (Documentation by NWM and AW)
- We know that both Richard B. and Encarnacion had relatives in Oakville,
Texas and that is why he visited Oakville from time to time and left his wife
there for a short period of time when he was in the war. According to the 1860
Live Oak County Census their was a Thomas Wilburn who lived at a township or
ranch called "The Atascosa." He was 42 years old (DOB 1818 ?) and born in
South Carolina. His real estate was valued at $7400 and his personal property
was valued at $28,250. This was an extraordinary amount of personal wealth in
1860. Richard Brown Wilburn whose profession was a "Stockraiser" was also
listed. He was 20 years of age (DOB 1840) and who was born in Alabama. His
real estate property was valued at $500. And his personal wealth was valued at
$3500. Again, a very large sum during that time. We are quite sure this was
Richard Brown Wilburn and his half-brother Thomas. This could mean that the
Wilburn's had been in South Texas since the mid to late 1840's. We also
located a Sara M. Wilborn who was born in Georgia in 1835 and who lived
in Live Oak County in the late 1800's and a J.L. Willborn who was born
in Live Oak County about 1873 (son of John L. Wilburn - Richard's brother).
Encarnacion and her family were also listed on the Oakville 1860 census.
(Documentation by JWH)
- Note: [1] Live Oak County Tax Records from 1861 shows that Richard
Brown Wilburn owned four lots (20 acres) of land in Oakville (Lots 1,2,3, and
4 in Block A. Deed Records Vol-B, Pg. 96-97.) He also was owner of 50 horses
(valued at $35.00 each), and 500 head of cattle (valued at $5.00 each). His
brother John Lewis, owned 80 horses. His half brother Thomas owned 3100 acres
of land, 24 Negroes, 50 horses, 500 head of cattle plus other misc.
properties. Thomas eventually accumulated over 10,000 acres of land in Live
Oak County. Note: [2] James M. Wilburn leased land in Live Oak County
on April 17, 1857 (Ref: Deed Book A, Page 70). We believe this land was used
by family members for the purpose of raising live stock. (Documentation by
JWH)
- When Ben Willborn (son of James Sr.) was a youngster he remembers reading
an old letter dated Sept. 1862 that was sent to Encarnacion from her husband
Richard B. Wilburn. Who was in Richmond, VA. The letter was addressed to her
in Tyler, Texas and he told her he was coming back to take her to
Oakville, Texas. Ben remembers that Richard Brown signed his last name as
"Willborn" in that letter. He also remembers that he capitalized all of his
"e" letters even in the middle of words. (Documentation by NWM)
- Agapita also had a brother named Jesus who married Mary Ann Taylor during
the 1860's. The Navarro's also sold Jesus and Mary Ann some of the land they
inherited from their father - Jose Antonio Navarro. Among their children was
Marta who married James W. Wilborn Sr. Marta inherited a portion of that land
(100 acres) when her father (Jesus) died about 1893. Jesus came to Atascosa
County during the middle 1860's and probably worked for J.J. Navarro until
about 1870. (Documentation by NWM)
- 10,000 acres of land located about 15 miles north of Three Rivers (near
Oakville) and registered to Richard B. Wilburn (????) was accidentally
discovered by Bill "Willie" Wilburn (Shell oil company employee) about 1944.
This land has gas and oil on it. This land was still owned by a
Wilburn/Willborn family member in the mid 1960's). Since Richard did not have
enough money to purchase such a large amount of land did he inherit it from
his half-brother and not know about it? (Documentation by AW and NWM)
- On one occasion near Oakville (on or close to the 10,000 acre ranch)
Richard Brown and his son James Winter came upon some bandits who were fixing
to hang some Mexican-Americans cattle drivers?, who were on their way home to
the Rio Grande Valley, from a cattle drive up north. A shoot out erupted and
the Wilburn's saved the lives of these men. In gratitude these men's relatives
visited the Wilburn farm at Amphion whenever they happened to be near. The
last visits ended in the early 1930's. Their names have been lost.
(Documentation by NWM)
- During the 1860's Oakville was a thriving town (about 650 acres) that
prospered because of the stage coach to and from Corpus Christi. After the
railroad by passed the town it started to die. The cattle drives that
originated from the Rio Grand Valley area came right by Oakville on the way to
San Antonio where the Chisholm Trail started. Around 1875 the town and area
harbored many outlaws and the state of Texas had to send in a contingent of
Texas Ranger to clean up the area. There were a lot of Wilburns (spelled
several different ways) living in Oakville and Live Oak County. We believe
most of them are related. (Documentation by JWH)
- Richard B. Wilburn and his sons James and Richard Jr. opened a "Cotton
Gin" business in Amphion, Texas in the middle 1890's. In 1903 Richard Jr.
unexpectedly died. It is believed that he died of heat stroke. By that time
the business needed refurbishing (new equipment) so they eventually abandoned
it about 1905. Richard B. Wilburn was a very good mechanic and assisted with
the maintenance of the Gin when the business was open. Note: Richard B., also
traveled around in the late 1890's and early 1900's fixing other peoples
cotton gins. It is not known where James Sr. and Richard Jr. obtained the
money to buy the cotton gin - perhaps from the money they made off the cattle
drives while working for their father, or perhaps they sold some of the cattle
they had on the ranch. During the middle 1930's, James Sr. dragged the steam
boiler from the cotton gin, which was still in Amphion, to his place using 25
mules. He had a few mules of his own and he borrowed the rest from his
neighbors. He then had it cut up into pieces and sold as scrap iron before WW
II. Previous to this period the Willborns' had many mules and horse but as
time went by the numbers got smaller. Note: We have a document that indicates
some of the equipment that was used in the operation of this cotton gin.
(......."Atlas" 20 horse power engine and boiler, Sixty Saw "Brown" gin feeder
and condensor, 30 inch "Coleman" corn mill and bolting aparatus, "Coleman"
steam cotton press and shafting). (Documentation by NWM and JWH)
- Richard B. Wilburn was also an accomplished "fiddler." Occasionally he got
with other friends and relatives who played musical instruments, and provided
the music for special occasions and dances. Most of these festivities took
place next to the Atascosa River where the old Garcia Cemetery is located. The
last of these were held at Richard and Felipa's house. Richard Brown took over
this "chore" for 3 - 4 years after his son (Richard Jr) died. (Documentation
by NWM)
- It is believed that James Wilburn first met Marta at a dance at the old
Jose Mendiola place near the pecan trees, where the Garcia Cemetery is
located. It is believed when they first met they did not know they were first
cousins. (Note [1]: Jose Mendiola married Marta's sister Josephine
Taylor Garcia, but at that time the land belonged to Jesus Garcia and his wife
Mary Ann Taylor. Note [2]: At that time marriages to first cousins were
common place, although in 1886 it was in the process of dying out.)
(Documentation by NWM)
- James W. Wilburn first two years of life was lived in Mexico??. The next 4
- 5 years were lived around the San Diego, Texas area and the next 8 - 9 years
were lived around the San Antonio area. When he lived in San Antonio he lived
about one mile east of where the Union Stock Yard is located. The location is
off South Flores Street where the old Judson Candy Company is located.
He might have lived for a short time at a ranch in the Dilley, Texas area. He
moved to his family's newly acquired property in Amphion around 1879 - 1880.
When James got married his father gave him a piece of this land which he later
lost on a horse race bet. Eventually James moved on the land that his wife
Marta inherited. (Documentation by NWM and AW) Note: On one occasion a
policeman was chasing a fugitive who ran into their San Antonio home and hid
under one of their beds. Richard B. apprehended the man and turned him over to
the police. James Sr. could read, write, and speak both English and Spanish so
there is a good possibility that his formative schooling was in San Antonio.
(Documentation by NWM)
- Jesus Garcia, Mary Ann Taylor (mother of James Sr.'s first wife), Luis,
Juan, and Josefina Garcia are buried at the Garcia Cemetery near the pecan
trees on the Atascosa river bank. The land used to belong to Josefina's
descendants, but they sold the land, minus the cemetery, around 1955. Jesus
died about 1893. His wife Mary Ann died in 1900. His daughter Josefina died in
1912. His two son Luis and Juan died in the late 1930's. All the graves are
under a huge oak tree. The cemetery is only about one lot in size. The
gravestone of Mary Ann Taylor is buried somewhere near her grave.
(Documentation by NWM)
- Richard B. Wilburn, his wife Encarnacion, and their daughter Elizabeth
(who died in 1897) are buried next to each other in the Willborn Family
Cemetery. The graves are identified by three cement crosses about two feet
high. Richard B., is on the right side, Encarnacion is in the middle and
unknow Wilburn child is on the left side. There are no grave inscriptions.
(Note: these cement crosses were made by George Wilburn during the
1930's). (Documentation by AW and NWM)
- During the depression of 1873 - 75, Richard B. Wilburn and a nearby
neighbor named Neuman went to Arizona looking for Commanche and Apache scalps.
At that time a high bounty was being paid for scalps. On their way to Arizona
their wagon was on a hill and the hitch broke and it rolled backwards down the
hill and broke up. It is not known if they made it all the way to Arizona or
they had to quit because the wagon was broke. They did not encounter any
Indians. (Note: Richard still owned the two lots and a house in San
Antonio and it is assumed he left his family there until he got back from
cattle drives, etc.). Hostile Indians were still a problem in Atascosa County
in the 1870's. (Documentation by NWM)
- As a Texas Ranger and then as a Captain in the Confederate Army guarding
the Rio Grande River, Richard B., got to know a lot of ranchers. When the
cattle drives started, right after the Civil War, Richard B. was able to get
these same ranchers to let him drive their cattle to Kansas via the Chisum
Trail. He and his crew (mostly his wife's nephews) would drive them north to
an area of his land near Amphion and then he would add on to the herd from a
few local ranchers. He followed this routine for several years. (Note
[1]: Rumaldo Gomez, son of Santiago Gomez and Guadalupe Garcia
(Encarnacion's younger sister), also went on the cattle drives. In the early
1930's Rumaldo went blind, but he told stories of Richard B., hiding the gold
money, that he got from the cattle he sold. He hid it at the bottom of the
"salt barrel" so bandits would not get it if they were robbed. Note
[2]: By the time that Rumaldo went on these cattle drives, they ended in
San Antonio where the railroads then transported the cattle north and east).
Early 1900's. (Documentation by NWM)
- Supposedly, Richard B. buried some of his money somewhere along the
Atascosa river. The depression of 1893 caused some people to distrust banks so
it was not uncommon for people to hide or bury their money. Many people over
the years have looked for this money. Most of them stopped searching around
the 1940's. You can still find shallow pits along or near the river where
holes were dug long ago in search of this money. Story # 1: In 1955 the
old bridge on the Atascosa river which is very near the old Garcia Cemetery
was being torn down. The county crew that was doing the work found a metal
money box underneath the roots of the "giant" oak tree located there. They
informed the authorities and the box was taken to San Antonio where it was
opened. It was full of confederate money. This story was confirmed by a San
Antonio newspaper. The exact date of the article is unknown at this time.
Story # 2: In the 1930's a workhand was clearing and burning tree
stumps near the Atascosa river a few miles upstream from the Wilburn farm. He
noticed green smoke coming out of one of the burning stumps and when he
investigated it he found a heart made out of gold. This is the type found in
Catholic churches in earlier days - "The Heart of Jesus." We believe that it
could have been part of some booty that was taken from churches plundered in
Mexico around 1862, and the bandits who took it may have hid it there in haste
while being pursued by authorities. Story # 3: Richard B. stayed at his
son's house (Richard Jr) from time to time after he died. During the early
1900's (1903 - 1907). Edward Wilburn (grandson of Richard B.) was about 4 or 5
years old, when he remembered Richard B. would dress or undress at night that
he carried a wide soft belt around his waste underneath his garments. He
remembered how it was easy to bend even though it was made out of metal. Was
this a way to carry concealed gold? Story # 4: Richard B. got hurt in a
railroad accident near Pearsall, Texas in 1909. He hit his head very hard and
it affected his memory. James W. Sr. used to say that's why his father
couldn't remember where he buried some of his money along the Atascosa river.
(Note: Edward Willborn, the grandson who recalled the "money belt"
story, and his wife Beatrice Hodges Willborn died in a house fire in January
1991. This land was given to Richard Jr. and his wife Felipa by Richard B.
This land is very close to the Willborn family cemetery on the Amphion Road
just before you turn right to go the cemetery. (Documentation by NWM)
- Both James and Richard B. registered their "livestock brands" on July 1,
1878 in Atascosa County. They are registered under the "Half-Circle" Brands
Book. At first we thought that Richard Jr. had registered his brand, but since
he was only 11 years old at the time it had to be Richard Brown Wilburn. We
are in possession of the registration log (copy). (Documentation by JWH)
- On one of the cattle drives that James Sr. participated, they
stopped at this widows land, somewhere up north, to get water, but there
wasn't any. Richard B. suggested to the widow that she have someone dig under
the bent branch of a certain tree. On the way back from the cattle drive they
stopped again and this time there was plenty of water. The site that Richard
B. chose turned out to be an excellent well. In gratitude the widow made them
stay and rest for three days. Note: Cattle drives use to last from two
to three months and the average pay was about one dollar a day plus food.
(Documentation by NWM)
- It is believed that Richard Wilburn's mother - Permelia Minter Wilburn was
part Indian. James Sr. believed she was Cherokee and Iroquois (a few of these
tribes inter-married). Ivy Sr. believed she was just Iroquoi. Norberto Sr.
believed she was Choctaw. (Documentation by NWM)
The following informtion was received ffrom S. Parker Aug 2001. Permilia/Pamela
Minter is the one who married Richard Wilbourn in Edgefield Dist SC pre 1820.
She was the daughter of Mackerness Goode Minter (ca. 1775-1819) and Delilah
(?). Mack. was the son of William Minter and Martha (Goode?)Minter. Mack had
one sister, AnnaMariah who married Peter Morgan (my line). Mack's sons came to
MS in the 1830, and on to Gonzales Co. TX.
- Sometimes friends and relatives would help newly weds build their home.
The men would build the house and the woman would help with the furniture and
clothes. We know that some of the children of James W. SR did this.
(Documentation by NWM)
- Around 1930 or 1931 a small group of Indians dressed as white men, and
related to the Wilburns, visited the Willborn farm for three days. During
their stay they prayed, sang and celebrated Indian style. We don't know what
the purpose of their visit was for. This story was recalled by Tom Wilborn Sr.
and James (Patrick) Wilborn. Does anyone of James Willborn's children know of
this event and the purpose of this visit? (Documentation by NWM)
- During the early 1930's, friends of James W. Willborn Sr. who were
stationed at Kelly Field use to land their bi-planes (double wing) at the
Willborn farm. They went dove hunting on the Willborn farm and this was
another way James Sr. obtained income during the depression. One of the pilots
was named Major Goring. He gave James Sr. a saber sword. Tony Willborn has
that sword now. He also has a small plow blade that belonged to his father.
(Documentation by NWM)
- During the depression (1930's) the Willborns and other farmers relied on
killing coons, possums, skunks, and bobcats to help them make money during the
winter months. One skin was worth one half of a weeks wages. Up until about
1950 neighbors and relatives would help each other with the farm work.
(Documentation by NWM)
- Most of the marriages were planned for the winter months (December through
February) so it would not interfere with the farming and harvesting. Neighbors
were informed when a town trip was planned so they could place orders with the
people going on the trip. They in-turn would return the favor when they went
to town. (Documentation by NWM)
- John Anderson (brother of Andrew Sr.) became the Willborns' first
mechanics when they started buying trucks and cars. During those days the
mechanics would come out to the farm to do their repairs. Sometimes the
mechanics were paid with vegetables grown at the farm. John was one of the
first city mechanics for San Antonio. He was also given a patent for a
carpenter tool that he invented. (Documentation by NWM)
- Alfred Wilburn Jr., located aerial photos of the Willborn Farm several
years ago. These photos were taken by the "Tobin Surveys/Mapping Co." located
in San Antonio. (Documentation by AW)
- When Marta Wilborn Jr. was young (middle 1890's) she would sometimes stay
with her great aunt - Agapita Navarro. On several occasions bands of Indians
would camp on their property at night and kill one of the calves and cook it
by moonlight. They would also dance and sing far into the night. If there were
corn in the fields they would help them selves to it also. The Indians would
leave any of the cooked meat they didn't eat for the Navarros to have.
Sometimes the Indians would leave furs or other items as payment for items
taken (wild game, meat, etc.). This story was conveyed to Norberto Martinez
Jr. by some of Marta Jr.'s, children and also by his uncle, James (Patrick)
Willborn and his mother's first cousin - Andrew Anderson Jr. Apparently this
kept the Indians friendly because no Garcia, Wilburn, or Navarros were ever
attacked by Indians. The Indians stopped coming by in the late 1890's.
(Documentation by NWM)
- Another story recalled by Marta Wilborn Jr.'s children was when Mary Ann
Taylor was chased by a bear. One day (early 1870's) she went down to the
spring to get some water to do the family washing. While she was there she
noticed a bear was watching her. She did some fancy maneuvering to avoid the
bear, and ran back to the cabin as fast has she could with the bear chasing
her. Fortunately she made it back and closed the door before the bear got her.
The bear tried to bump the door down but it was strong enough to keep him out.
He gave up right away. Note: James Sr. built his first house next to
this artesian spring when he first got married. He abandoned this house around
the turn of the century. He built his next house about 300 yards north by
northeast of the original one. His second house burned down in 1944. His third
house was built on the same site as the one that burned down. They obtained
rocks from the bottom of the Atascosa River on his property to use as a
foundation for the third house. It is still in good condition. Andrew Anderson
SR built the new house and it took him about one year to complete.
(Documentation by NWM)
- A James Wilburn, age 24, (born in Tenn. About 1826) died in Bexar County
of Smallpox in September of 1850. We don't know if he was related to Richard
B. (cousin, etc.). This information was obtained from the 1850 Texas Mortality
Book. (Note: Mortality records were compiled in conjunction with Census
taking and generally only recorded deaths that had occurred in the previous
six months.) (Documentation by JWH)
- Andrew C. Wilburn, Richard B.'s brother, sold 200 horses (valued at
approximately $7000.) to the Confederate States of America and he never got
paid for them. This donation qualifies Andrew's kin to join the "Sons of the
Republican War of America." We know his middle initial was "C" because it was
on the envelope of mail sent to his brother when he stayed at the farm in
1909. Max Wilborn Sr. remembered the letter addressed to Andrew had "Andrew C.
Willborn" on the envelope. Unfortunately, this and other important
correspondence was destroyed in the 1944 fire. What does the middle initial of
"C" stand for? Perhaps Chisolms or Cheatham ? Also, Andrew's two month visit
to Richard's farm in 1909 was to settle or resolve some inheritance issues.
Alfred Wilburn Jr. believes Andrew came to Poteet via Oklahoma. Since he lived
in Yazoo, Mississippi he must have stopped off in Oklahoma to visit other
relatives before coming to Atascosa County. We also don't know the details of
the inheritance issues he was trying to resolve. Ivy Sr. also recalled that
Tom Wilburn acted as the family barber during Andrew's two month stay at the
Wilburn Farm. Tom cut Ivy Wilburn Sr's hair just before he departed for Oregon
in 1909. (Documentation by NWM)
- Encarnacion Garcia Wilburn's father (Juan Garcia) was a member of the
first jury in Live Oak County after it was created and organized from
Nueces and San Patricio Counties on February 2, 1856. At that time and until
1919 Oakville was the county seat. This information derived from The 1956
Live Oak County Centenial History. There is documentation that the
Garcia family resided in the Oakville area from at least 1855 through 1860.
(Documentation by JWH).
- The Camino Real runs about 1/4 of a mile behind where Jesus Garcia and
Mary Ann Taylor lived. Amos Hillburn currently lives about 1/4 of a mile east
of the Camino Real and about 1/4 of a mile south of where Jesus Garcia and
Mary Ann Taylor used to live. (Documentation by NWM)
- Atascosa became a county in 1856. Celso Navarro was the first justice of
the peace. The court house was originally located about 1/4 of a mile west of
where Amos W. Hillburn lives (presently located on the Shearrer Farm).. It was
on the Camino Real (King's Highway). Today you can still see small pieces of
yellow chimney and fireplace brick scattered around the site. It was located
here before it was moved to Amphion 1860's and later moved to Pleasanton
during the Civil War. (this information was conveyed to James Sr by Celso and
Agapita Navarro. James inturn conveyed this information to his son Ben in
1938). Note: prior to 1856 Atascosa County used to be part of Bexar
County. (Documentation by NWM)
- On one occasion on the Kings Highway about 1877, (about a mile south by
southeast of where Amos Hilburn lives) James W. Sr. and his father were riding
double. They were about a mile south of where the court house use to be (it
had been moved to Amphion, Texas by then). It was already getting dark and as
they moved along, James W. Sr. use to tell the story that he felt something
hit the upper part of his shoulder. They stopped and looked up and to their
surprise they found a recently hung man left there. Richard B. told James W.
Sr. that he recognized him as an outlaw from Tilden, Texas. No one ever knew
who hung him. Old timers used to say (including James W. Sr.) that outlaws
used to hide out about 5 -10 miles west of the Wilburn farm along the Atascosa
River where it makes a large long bend. (Documentation by NWM)
- It is said that the very first adult person to be buried at the Willborn
Cemetery was Elizabeth Wilburn in 1897. Preston Hilburn thinks it was a man
with the last name of Gomez (father of Santiago Gomez Sr. ?). This Gomez was
said to be an expert shot with a pistol (one of the bandits?). There is a
Gomez buried there whose grave marker says he died in 1902 (brother of
Santiago Gomez Sr.?). It is said that he could easily shoot coins that were
tossed in the air. Could he have been one of Catarino Garza's followers?
(Documentation by NWM)
- The land of Elizabeth Wilburn and Miguel Torres Sr. is located next to
Losoya, Texas (about 500 people). They built a dance hall on the land and
called it "El Salon Torres." It served as a gathering place for about 60
years. The dances stopped about 30 years ago (about 1970). Some of these 30
acres are now located within the west side of LoSoya city limits.
(Documentation by NWM)
- James Winter Willborn Sr. was a great out doorsman. He hunted whenever he
got a chance. He especially liked to hunt on the 22,000 acre ranch where Ivy
Sr. worked. He liked to camp out for days at a time and rough it.
(Documentation by NWM)
- During the old days children were named after special people, i.e.: the
first son was normally named after the paternal grandfather, the second son
after the maternal grandfather, and the third son after the actual father. Of
course their was always deviation from this norm: Questions: Who was Max
Wilborn named after? Was it Max Hobrecht or Richard Brown Wilburn's half
brother named Max Wilburn? (Documentation by JWH)
- On Jan 14, 1884 Richard B. and his wife Encarnacion donated 2 acres of
their land to the County of Atascosa for a school to be built on. We are in
possession of the legal instrument that consummated this donation.
(Documentation by JWH)
- Ursula Wilburn was the Godmother for Samuel Bean born May 10, 1874. The
baptism took place at the San Fernando Cathedral on Jan 3, 1875. The parents
of Samuel were Virginia Chavez and Roy Bean. This is the same "Judge
Roy Bean" in Law West of the Pecos. We have heard of a Ursula Wilburn but we
don't know where she fit into the Wilburn family picture. After the civil war
Roy Bean who fought for the Confederacy moved to San Antonio where he lived
for 18 years. He married the child bride - Virginia Chavez and they had two
boys and two girls. Virginia Chavez eventually left (divorced ?) Roy Bean.
(Documentation by JWH)
- Richard Brown Wilburn died in Millet (LaSalle County) Texas just before
World War I (Spring of 1916). No one seems to know exactly when he died and no
records of the death were recorded in either LaSalle or Atascosa Counties. He
was living with his son George and George's family. Richard's accident in
Pearsall, Texas in 1909 affected his memory and he sometimes wandered off and
would get lost. His bodied was transported from Millet to the Willborn
Cemetery for burial via a "red" wagon. (Documentation by NWM)
- Note: We believe Richard B. was living with his daughter Permelia and
her husband Max Hobrecht in Pearsall, Tx in 1909. Max had a job in Pearsall
selling horses when Richard was hurt in a train accident.
-
E-Mail from: Chris Morgan - 05/07/99 09:52:45
My
Email:cmorgan@oakwoodacademy.org
Surname(s) Interested In: Minter,
Wilborn/Wilbourn
Comments: I am interested in your research into the M. G. Wilborn who lived
in Tallahatchie Co. in 1850. I understand that the Minter household in which
this Wilborn was living was that of his sister, who was the wife of James
Minter, for whom Minter City, Miss., as named. My great-grandmother was Lily
May Wilbourn, whose Wilbourns were early settlers in the vicinity of Hardy,
Miss., in what is now Grenada Co. All these Wilbourn/Wilborns were from South
Carolina. Lily May Wilbourn's great-grandmother Carrie Hud on Wilbourn is
buried at Hardy. She came to Mississippi from Edgefield Dist., S.C., in the
1830s where her husband William Wilbourn had died leaving a will. I suspect
all these Wilborn/Wilbourns are close kin -- just am not yet sure
how.
CHRONOLOGICAL DOCUMENTATION OF THE WILBURN (WILBORN, WILLBORN)
FAMILY HISTORY.
1790 - Vol I, pg. 306 Edgefield County, S.C. Mcerness Minter, a minor 15
years of age...Peter Morgan appt as guardian...Bond L 500 sterling by William
TERRY & Jesse Scruggs. -- 11 Jan 1790. Note 1: From Will Book A, pg. 14:
Dated 5 Dec 1775 - William Minter, de'cd. Wife - Martha Minter. Son -
Mackerness Minter, Daus - Milley, Anna and Mariah Minter. Exors - George
Tilman, William Goode. Wits - Adam Pardue, Thomas Watkins, Levey Jester, John
Billings. Proved - 1795. Note 2: Mackness Minter was Permelia Minter Wilburn's
father. Permelia was Richard Brown Wilburn's mother. (JWH)
1820 - Census indicated that a Richard Wilburn was living in Edgefield
County, South Carolina (Census page 103) (JWH).
1820 - A Richard Welbourne married a Permelia Minter in 1820. Note: We have
probate documents that indicate that this marriage took place in the year ca.
1817-1818 in Edgefield County, S.C. (near Turkey Creek) (JWH)
1840 - Lauderdale County Ala. census of a Richard Wilburn (age unk) that
had several people living with him. There was also an individual identified as
E. Wilburn who had a wife and one daughter. He was between the age of 20 and 30.
Could this be Richard Brown Wilburn's brother Ebenezer? Lauderdale county is
located on the north west corner of Alabama next to the Tennessee and
Mississippi borders. Note: this was the year Richard Brown Wilburn was born -
supposedly in Tuscaloosa County, Ala. (JWH)
1850 - Mortality schedule - James Wilburn (age 24) died of smallpox in
Bexar County in Sept 1850 (born in Tenn.). (JWH)
1850 - Tallahatchie, MS census showing that Macerness "Mac" Goode Wilborn was
living with his sister Elizabeth Wilborn Minter and her husband James Minter.
Mac was Richard Brown Wilburn's half-brother. (JWH)
1850 - Lafayette County Mississippi census of a Wilburn who owned about 60
slaves. (JWH)
1850 - Bexar County census of Texas Rangers Richard Hilburn (age 41) and a
Richard Hilburn Jr (age 20) both born in Tenn. We don't know if they were
related to Richard Brown Wilburn. (AW)
1851 - Bexar County marriage ceremony between Richardson Hilburn to Luisa
Leal (May 10) (JWH)
1851 - DeWitt County marriage of Jane Wilburn to John M. Campbell (Nov 27).
(JWH)
1853 - Document (Patent) issued by Edward J. Davis - Governor of Texas
awarding Caleb Wilburn of DeWitt County 1/3 League of Land. This award was
predicated by virtue of L.R. Certificate No. 76 issued by the Board of Land
Commission of Jackson County, Texas in January 1838. (JWH)
1854 - Caleb Wilburn deeds land to A.L. Wilburn. Thomas Wilburn and
others are also indicated.. Court actions initiated in Victoria and Jackson
Counties (just below DeWitt County). (JWH)
1855 - Marriage document where John Louis Wilburn (Richard Brown
Wilburn's brother) married a Frances C. Cole in DeWitt County, Texas on March
25, 1855 - Marriage license # 180. (JWH)
1856 - Max G. Wilburn (Richard Brown Wilburn's half-brother) bought
several lots in Oakville near the town square. Deed book A, page 170 (December
1856). (JWH)
1856 - Max G. Wilburn buys one lot of land (Lot #6, Block 1) near the Public
Square in Oakville from Thomas Wilson for $100. (Dec 13,1857). Deeds Book, Vol
B, Page 53, Live Oak County. (JWH)
1857 - James Wilburn (Richard Brown Wilburn's brother) leased land in
Live Oak County (near Oakville) for raising live stock. Deed Book A, page 70,
dated April 17. 1857. (JWH)
1857 - Thomas Wilburn (Richard Brown Wilburn's half-brother) purchases 3117
acres of land in Live Oak County for $3896. Deed Book A, page 114, dated July
18, 1857. (JWH)
1857 - John L. Wilburn sold Richard Brown Wilburn 4 lots of land (20 acres)
in Oakville, Texas on Dec. 3rd, for $300. (JWH)
1857 - Richardson Hilburn and Sixto Navarro were on a Grand Jury of 20 men at
Atascosa County on March 23, 1857. (JWH)
1857 - Max C. Wilburn sells his interest in his father's estate to
half-brother James Wilburn and his wife Elizabeth for $1000. (Feb 19, 1857) Max
was one of the children from his father's previous marriage(s). (JWH)
1857 - Legal document submitted to DeWitt County Judge where John Louis
Wilburn request to be appointed Administrator of his father's estate. A security
bond in the amount of $50,000 was requested indicating a sizeable estate. We
believe his father's estate may have been located in Gonzalez or Karnes County.
(JWH)
1857 - Live Oak County Tax Assessment Record. (JWH)
1857 - Dr. Marvel E. McNeill and wife Elizabeth P. Wilburn McNeill (Richard's
sister) sell their land (lot #3, Block 4) on the West side of Main St in
Oakville for $75. (17 Aug 1857). Vol A, Pg 127, Land Deeds, Live Oak
County.(JWH)
1859 - Legal document by Permelia Willburn (Mother of Richard Brown
Wilburn) initiated in Yazoo County, Mississippi regarding the estate of her late
husband Richard Willburn who died in DeWitt County, Texas about 1856. She names
all of her children (living and dead) in this document. (JWH)
1859 - Texas Ranger mustering out roll for "Brown" Wilburn of Live Oak County
who fought in the Cortinas War. (JWH)
1859 - Live Oak County Tax Assessment Record. (JWH)
1860 - Live Oak County census of a Thomas Wilburn who was born in South
Carolina & had $7400 of land & $28,000 of personal wealth. (JWH)
1860 - Live Oak County census of a Richard Wilburn (age 21) who was born in
Alabama & had $500 of land & $3500 of personal wealth. (JWH)
1860 - Live Oak County census of a Juan Garcia and family (father of
Encarnacion) who was born in Mexico and had about $4,700 worth of personal
wealth. (JWH)
1860 - DeWitt County census of a Phoebe Wilburn (age 44) widow who lived with
her son Alfred age 15, and daughter Lucinda age 12. Note: the 1870 census
indicated the son's name was Albert?? (JWH)
1860 - Refugio County Census show Dr. Marvel E. McNeill and wife Elizabeth P.
Wilburn. They were living next to his parents, Archibald and Cynthia Jemima
Edward McNeill in 1860, Refugio Co. Texas. He lists his wife and child. Where he
went after that is a mystery, though his father had moved to San Antonio where
he died ca. 1865. (JWH)
1860 - Yazoo County, Miss. census of John A. Cheatham and wife Martha
(Wilburn) H. Cheatham also known as "Mattie," with eight children. (JWH)
1860 - Legal document where Richard Brown Wilburn hires William Minter to
brand and take care of all of his stock (cattle and horses) for a period of four
years (Sept 28, 1860). At that time his brand was "T" half circle. Was this when
he went to Richmond, Virginia to join the confederacy? (JWH)
1860 - Census of Live Oak County Slave Inhabitants owned by Thomas Wilburn.
(JWH)
1860 - Live Oak County census of John L. Wilburn and family, (Richard's
brother). (JWH)
1860 - Atascosa County census of Jose Antonio Navarro (Texas Patriot) and son
Sixto. Jose Antonio owned $22,360 of land and $13,222 of personal property.
(JWH)
1860 - Atascosa County census of Celso C. Navarro and wife Agapita Garcia
Navarro. They owned $1,000. of land and $1020 of personal property. Their
children at that time were Antonia (age 8), and Juan (age 3). There was also a
Mary Selis (Solis?) age 18, and a Pollonco Basques, age 12 living with them.
(JWH)
1860 - Atascosa County census of a Richard Wilburn (age 58) who was born in
South Carolina and his wife Nancy (age 59) who was born in Virginia. We don't
know if they were related to Richard Brown Wilburn. (JWH)
1860 Mortality Schedule Greene Co., AL. Persons who died during the year
ending June 30, 1860: George W. Welborne, age 43, male, married, born Alabama,
died October, Farmer, Bill Fever, sick 3 days. (JWH)
1861 - Live Oak County, Texas Tax Assessment Records. (JWH)
1862 - Richard Brown Wilburn sells his four lots (20 acres) of land to
Mr. Hinton for $150. on Dec 8th. Book of deed, Vol B, Page 5, Live Oak County
Court House, George West, Texas.
1863 - Live Oak County, Texas Tax Assessment Records. (JWH)
1863 Feb 14: Marvel E. McNeill (Husband of Elizabeth Permelia Wilburn),
Private of Capt. J. J. Dix' Co. H., Texas Frontier Regt. of State Troops
receives discharge papers held in Texas State Archives. He was mustered in by J.
J. Dix in Concrete, Dewitt Co. Texas on 8 March, 1862. He receives pay of
$218.36, which includes 180 miles of travel pay. Received by Capt. W. W.
Reynolds. Witness; James M. Hunter, Capt. (Note: his brother Thomas P. McNeill,
Sgt., as well as nephew, James H. Roark, aslo had identical vouchers for the
same service and dates). OTHER INFORMATION: Marvel and Elizabeth's first child
was named "Permelia Ermerline McNeill", born about 1854 and she married a Joseph
W. Pinder March 8,1880. The second child was Mettilyne E. "Mittie" McNeill, born
about 1860. We believe there were more children, but we don't have their names.
Information provided by Kevin Purcell.
ADDITONAL INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM LDS FILES: Pemelia Elizabeth Wilborn married
Marvel E. McNeill Jan 1857 in Live Oak County, TX
1864 - List of "indigent" confederate soldiers and their dependents from
DeWitt County, Texas. There were 136 soldiers on this list, which included J.
Wilburn and his three dependents. When John L. Wilburn went to fight for the
Confederacy he sent his family back to DeWitt County where he and his wife both
had relatives. (JWH)
1869 - Bexar County ceremony of marriage between Frank G. Wilborn and
Jesusa Perez (April 29, 1869). (JWH)
1869 - George Wilburn's baptismal certificate dated Junio 26, 1869 at the
Church of "Del Immaculaldo Corazon De Maria" in Duvall County TX. His father's
name was listed as "Brown" Wilburn on the certificate. (AW) Note: It
appears that George was baptized a second time when he was 18 years old at El
Carmen Catholic Church in LoSoya, TX. (?????) (JWH)
1870 - Upshur County Tx census of a James Wilburn (age 40) who was born
in Tenn. and his wife who was born in Alabama. (JWH)
1870 - Cherokee County Tx census of a George Wilburn (age 22) born in LA, and
his wife who was born in Alabama. (JWH)
1870 - Cherokee County Tx census of a Henry Wilburn (age 20) born in Tx. and
his wife Harriet also born in Texas. (JWH)
1870 - Cherokee County Tx census of a William Wilburn (age 51) born in SC and
his wife (age 49) born in La. (JWH)
1870 - Cherokee County Tx census of a Dr. Robert Wilburn (age 28) born in
Miss. and his wife Mary (age 20) born in Ala. (JWH)
1870 - Chambers County Tx census of a Ben Wilburn (age 33) born in Texas and
his wife Henrrietta (age 26) also born in Tx. (JWH)
1870 - Panola County Mississippi census of a Richard Wilburn (age 28) who was
born in Ala and had 5 black people working for him. (JWH)
1870 - DeWitt County Tx census of a Alfred Wilburn (age 24) whose
mother "Phoebe" and his sister "Nancy" were living with him. (JWH)
1870 - Yazoo County, MS census of a A.C. Wilburn (age 44) and family.
(JWH)
1870 - Yazoo County, MS census of a Perry Wilburn (23) and family. Note: John
L. Wilburn JR, from Live Oak County named one of his children Perry.
(JWH)
1871 - Legal documents (land sale) when Richard Brown Wilburn purchased
1144 acres of land from the Navarro family. This was done in Pleasanton, Texas
on April 22, 1871. (JWH)
1873 - DeWitt County, Texas. Jasper Hensley sells 160 acres of land to A.
R. Wilburn. (JWH)
1873 - DeWitt County, Texas. F. C. Willburn sells 160 acres less the one
acre grave yard to Jasper Hensley. (Was Richard Brown Wilburn's father
buried in this graveyard?). (JWH)
1875 - Ursula Wilburn was Godmother for Samuel Bean at the San Fernando
Church. Samuel's father was Roy Bean who later became known as "Judge" Roy Bean
in "Law West of the Pecos," (Jan. 3). (JWH)
1876 - R.B. Willborn uses his property as collateral for a $1144 loan
given by M.L. Minter of Milam County, Texas (Oct. 28, 1876) (JWH)
1877 - Richard & Encarnacion made trips to Davila and Taylor,
Texas in Williamson County to borrow and pay back the loan they made using their
land as collateral. We believe Richard had some relatives living there at that
time. We located a Susie (age 4) and Mattie Wilburn (age 9) who were living with
the Herrick? family in 1880. They were (nieces) to the Herrick family which
leads us to believe their parents were dead. (JWH)
1877 - Agapita Garcia Navarro is a Godparent to Maria Lucinda Navarro (twin)
born Sept 21, and daughter of Juan Jose Navarro. San Fernando Cathedral on Nov.
21st. The other twin name was Agapita Navarro. (JWH)
1878 - Richard Wilburn and son James registered live stock brands under
the " 711" brand in the half-circle book. Richard used his property in Amphion
as a staging area for the cattle he was driving north to Kansas. (JWH)
1879 - Richard and Encarnacion sold their property on South Flores Street
and took out a $500 loan on their property in Atascosa County (not counting
their 200 acre homestead). (JWH)
1883 - Richard and Encarnacion Wilburn sold 340 acres to L.S. Smith for
$688. (Sept 25) (JWH)
1883 - Richard and Encarnacion Wilburn sold 200 acres to C.L. Eichman for
$400. (Oct 13) (JWH)
1884 - Richard and Encarnacion Wilburn donated 2 acres of land to
Atascosa County for a school to be built on. This was the first school in
Amphion, Texas. (JWH)
1886 - Documentation of marriage between James Wilburn and Martha Garcia
(1-26-1886). (JWH)
1888 - Jesus Garcia and Mary Ann Taylor Garcia sold 50 acres of land to
James W. Willborn for $50. (JWH)
1889 - Documentation of marriage between Jose Tores and Elizabeth Wilburn
(10-26-1889). Church document from El Carmen Church in LoSoya confirming Jose
Torres and Elizabeth Wilburn's wedding (10-26-1889). This document indicated her
father was "Brown" Wilburn and her mother Encarnacion Garcia. It also indicated
that Elizabeth's godparents were Juan Navarro and Jesusa Navarro. (JWH)
1889 - Marta Wilborn Jr daughter of Santiago (James) Wilborn and Marta Garcia
was baptized at El Carmen Church. Godparents were Jose Torres and Ysabel Uron.
(10-30-1889) (JWH)
1889 - Lafayette (Frederico) Wilburn, DOB Aug 17, 1887 and son of "Brown"
Wilburn and Encarncion Garcia was baptized at El Carmen Church 10-30-1889). His
Godparents were Jose Torres and his older sister Elizabeth Wilburn Torres.
(JWH)
1889 - It appears that George Wilburn son of "Brown" Wilburn and Encarnacion
Garcia was baptized twice. The first time in June of 1869 in San Diego Texas and
the second time when he was about 18 years old in El Carmen Church???? This
don't make sense!!!! (JWH)
1890 - Documentation of marriage between Max Hobrecht and Permelia
Willburn (1-22-1890) (JWH)
1890 - Birth certificate of Miguel Torres son of Jose Torres and Isabel
Wilburn Torres (9-29-1890). (AW)
1892 - Documentation of marriage between George Wilburn and Paula Tores
(11-05-1892). (JWH)
1892 - Hand sketched Platt showing layout of Oakville, Texas. Richard's land
was situated on the South West part of the town and was surrounded on three
sides by the Suphur Creek or Puenta de la Piedra.
1893 - Documentation of marriage between Richard D. Wilburn and Felipa
Travieso (1-6-1893). (JWH)
1895 - Documentation of marriage between Alvin Hobrecht and Amanda
Wilburn (2-27-1895). (JWH)
1896 - Document where Sheriff A. M. Avant of Atascosa County auctions off
some of R. B. Willborn's property to satisfy a bad debt to Elemendorf and Costal
Company (Sept 2, 1896). (JWH)
1899 - Funeral memorial card of Encarnacion Wilburn's death on Feb 17,
1899 (AW)
1899- Documentation of marriage between Lafayette Wilburn and Jesusa Guerrero
(Dec 27) at El Carmen Catholic Church in LoSoya (Bexar County), Texas. John
Wilburn and Permelia Wilburn were witnesses. (JWH)
1900 - Atascosa County Tx census of "Brown" Wilburn who was born in
Alabama and whose father was born in South Carolina. Place of mothers birth was
unknown. He was a widower and his children living with him were: Andrew, Tommy,
Johnny, Lafayette, and Lafayette's wife Jesusita Guerrero. (JWH)
1900 Atascosa County Tx census of Richard Wilburn Jr and his wife Felipa.
(JWH)
1900 Atascosa County Tx census of James W. Wilburn and his wife Martha and
children Max, Martha, Agnes, Lizzi, James Jr & Ivy. (JWH)
1902 - James W. Wilborn provides N. R. Wallace with a note for $1000
payable within a year for the purchases his father's land on which there was a
vendors lien ????? (August 6, 1902). He also agreed to pay all back
taxes. (JWH)
1907 El Carmen Church (LoSoya Tx) indicating that Alfred Willborn was the
god father of Isabel Garcia (1-12-1907) (JWH). This was Lafayette "Fred"
Wilburn.
1908 - Dawes Indian Commission documentation of a Lucinda Caldwell who
married a "Wilburn." (JWH)
1908 - James & Martha Wilborn borrow $1936 using their land as collateral
(March 2). (JWH)
1908 - Land transaction initiated jointly by Richard Brown Wilburn and his
sons George and Andrew. (JWH)
1908 - John G. Wilburn (living in Mellon - Frio County) appoints his father
Richard Brown Wilburn to act as his attorney for any real estate transactions
regarding disposition of the Wilburn estate that he may be entitled to.
(Sept 19) (422 acres of community property of Encarnacion and Richard was
mentioned). (JWH)
1908 - Lafayette Wilburn and wife Jesusita sold their interest in the estate
of Encarnacion and Richard Wilburn for $400. (Nov. 18) (JWH)
1908 - F. W. Wilborn and his wife Emily from Chavez County in the Territory
of New Mexico, relinquish all rights to lands in Atascosa County, Tx that they
may be entitled to via estate probate. (May 21). Note: The first initial F.W.
Wilborn could have also been a "T" or "L." (JWH)
1909 - Documentation of marriage between Joe Dick Hilburn and Martha
Wilburn Jr. (daughter of James and Martha) (12-30-1909). (JWH)
1909 - Richard Wilburn and his sons George and Andrew sold 80 acres of land
to H. L. Mumme. (JWH)
1909 - James and Martha Wilborn sold 265 acres of land to H. J. Moore for
$1471. (Apr 5) (JWH)
1909 - Richard Brown Wilburn as attorney in fact for his son Tom whom is paid
$2600 by Geo Wilburn for his interest in the Wilburn estate. (JWH)
1910 - LaSalle County census of George Wilburn (age 26) and his family.
(JWH)
1910 - Atascosa County census of John Ogden (age 43) and his family.
(JWH)
1910 - Atascosa County census of James W Wilborn (age 43) and his family.
(JWH)
1910 - Atascosa County census of Santiago Gomez (age 60) and his family.
(JWH)
1910 - Atascosa County census of Felipa Wilburn - widow (age 33) and her
children. (JWH)
1910 - Atascosa County census of Jose Mendiola (age 30) and his family.
(JWH)
1910 - Live Oak County census of a John L. Wilburn (age 46) and wife Mattie
(age 41) (JWH)
1910 - Live Oak County census of a Seria A. Wilburn - widow (age 76) who was
living with the Sinor family. She had 6 children of which only 1 was still
living. She was born in Tenn., her father was born in South Carolina, and her
mother was born in Georgia. (JWH)
1910 - Atascosa County census of Max Wilburn (age 24) who was living with his
uncle Santiago (James) Garcia and his family of 8. (JWH)
1910 - Frio County census of Lafayette "Fred" Wilburn and his family - living
near Dilley. (JWH)
1910 - Frio County census of Max Hobrecht family living in Pearsall, TX with
grandchildren named Loftus. (JWH)
1911 - James W. Willborn. Document showing that he was a trustee for the
Oak Valley School Dist.(JWH)
1911 - Affidavit issued by James W. Willborn about his knowledge of the Jose
Torres family. (JWH)
1911 - Max Wilborn and Jesus Cordova sold their lots in Pleasanton to Juan
Cruz Jr. (Jan 5.) (JWH)
1911 - John G. Wilburn and wife Mattie sold their lots located in Christine
and Imogene (July 27) (JWH)
1912 - Death Certificate of Agapita Navarro (sister of Encarnacion
Wilburn) (NWM)
1912 - Emily Wilborn of Bexar County sells ten acres of land in Atascosa
County for $500. (JWH)
1913 - Richard Brown Wilburn sells 150 acres of his property to son
Andrew for one dollar. (JWH)
1916 - Baptism documents of Joe Dick Jr, son of Joe Dick Hilburn and
Martha Wilburn Jr (12/8/16). Padrinos were Albert & Corina Ogden. He was
baptized at the Rossville Catholic Mission by Father Jaime Tort. Note: Joe Sr.
was confirmed in Poteet 18 months after his son's baptism (June 22, 1919). This
information was written on the baptism document after the fact(JWH)
1917 - Probate Records of the estate of George M. Martin (Atascosa
County). James W. Willborn relinquished about 103 acres of land (excluding the 2
acre grave yard) to satisfy a debt of $2700. This property was transferred to
Mrs. Cornelia Martin (heir) on November 21, 1917. This transaction took place,
not because of James failure to pay the debt, but because of George Martin's
death which required probate. (JWH)
1926 - Death certificate of John G. Wilburn (Car accident May 10, 1926)
(AW)
1929 - Death certificate of Amanda Wilburn Hobrecht (Dec 9, 1929
Carcunoma of the Uterus) (AW)
1930 - Death certtificate of Jesusita Guerrero Wilburn (Lafayette "Fred"
Wilburn's wife). She died of pneumonia on Jan 5. Her mother's name was
Victoriana and her father's name was Felipe. (JWH)
1937 - Background documentation of David Wilburn (age 81) who was an
ex-slave. (JWH)
1937 - Background information of Jane McLeod Wilburn (age 87) who was an
ex-slave. (JWH)
1938 - Death certificate of Lafayette Anderson "Fred" Wilburn. At the
time of his death he was living at 2760 Mary Street in Corpus Christi, Tx. He
died August 20, 1938 of Coronary blockage of the heart. The informant for the
death certificate information was G. W. Wilburn (son) who lived at the same
address. (JWH)
1938 - Background information of Dock Wilborn (age 95) who was an ex-slave.
(JWH)
1939 - Death certificate of Andrew Wilburn. Died 11-3-1939 of Acute
Enteritis (inflamation of the bowels). (AW)
1944 - Newspaper article of the "Four fighting Willburn Brothers" WWII
(Richard, Charles, Frank and Ben) (NWM)
1945 - Death Certificate of Amos Brown Willborn (12-15-1945) (Coronary
Occlusion) (JWH)
1947 - Death Certificate of James W. Willborn (12-24-47). (Congestive
Heart failure/coronary occlusion) (JWH)
1947 - James W Willborn last will and testament leaving all of his property
to his wife Avelina. The probate document indicated the farm was valued at $6700
and there was also two cows valued at $100. (JWH)
1948 - Death certificate of George Wilburn Sr (Nov 3 of Arteriosclerosis
and Hypostatic Pneumonia) (AW)
1956 - Live Oak Centenial that mentions a County Commissioner named
Thomas Wilburn (Aug 1858-Aug 1860) and also John L. Wilburn who was a county
commissioner 1913 and 1919 (two four year terms). (JWH)
1956 - Death certificate of Permelia Wilburn Hobrecht (Vascular Accident Oct
28, 1956) (AW)
1956 - Live Oak Centenial history that indicates that the Willborn Cemetery
was given by Richard Brown Wilburn in the late 1800's. It is a family cemetery
located on the Willborn Ranch on old Amphion Road (Florence Newman). (JWH)
1956 - Atascosa County Centenial with article about Edward Willborn -
Hodges family. (JWH)
1964 - Death announcement of Max Wilborn (July 16, 1964). (JWH)
1974 - Documentation of the "Edward Willborn" farm which was 100 years
old in 1971. (JWH)
1996 - April - Death notice of Mrs. Grace Hobrecht Pedraza (Daughter of
Amanda Wilburn & Alvin Hobrecht) (AW)
1996 - May - Richard Willborn nominated for San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame
as an outstanding softball player. (Express & News 5/22) (JWH)
1996 Dec 20 - Express and News article indicating that Richard Willborn, age
46, a Lieutenant in the San Antonio Fire Department will be inducted into the
Texas Amateur Athletic Federation Hall of Fame as a softball pitcher. The
ceremony took place in Ft Worth on Jan 16, 1997. In 1993 Richard was named to
the ASA National Softball Hall of Fame. (JWH)
Misc. documentation of a "Wilburn" Alabama in the SW corner of Cullman County
Ala. It was a mining and lumber mill town that was named after an unknown
Wilburn. It was also jokingly known as "Bug Tussle." Max Wilborn conveyed a
story to Norberto Martinez Jr. of a Wilburn lumber mill operation back east in a
county that sounded like Cullman. We are still trying to get more information
about this township. (JWH and NWM)
Misc. documentation of "Brown Valley." This valley was about 100 miles long
and only five miles wide at its largest point. It originated in southern
Tennessee and went down to a little past "Wilburn" Alabama. It was named after a
famous Cherokee Indian Chieftan - "Richard Brown." Question: Could Richard
Brown Wilburn been named after this Cherokee Chieftan? (JWH)
Abbreviated histories of the towns of Amphion, Melon, Millet and Oakville,
Texas (JWH)
Rossville Catholic Mission (several documents that are written in Spanish and
are not very legible). Names mentioned throughout these documentation are:
Alfredo Wilburn, Permelia Wilburn, Max Hobrecht, George Wilburn, Paula Tores,
Max Wilborn, Jose Torres, Richard Willborn, Felipa Travieso, etc.... (JWH)
St Matthews Church - Jourdanton, Tx - marriage of Richard Wilburn Jr to
Felipa. Parents of the groom were "Brown" Wilburn and Encarnacion Garcia.
Padrinos were Max Hobrecht and Permelia Wilburn. Felipa's parents were Felipe
Traviesso and Manuela Granada. (year 1892) (JWH)
Background information (articles) on the singing Wilburn Brothers from
Missouri (Country and Western Music). Supposedly they were in some way related
to Andrew Wilburn.?????? On one occasion they were on the "Louisiana Hayride" at
the same time the Elvis Pressley was. (Ref: Seen on an Elvis Pressely TV
documentary). (JWH) Note: There is also a Country and Western Band in San
Antonio that goes by the name of the "Wilburn Brothers." Does anyone know
if they are related to the family?
Story from "Frontier Times" regarding a James "Jim" Wilburn from Live Oak
County who was a Texas Ranger who fought in the Cortinas Wars in 1859. James was
Richard's brother. We already know that Richard "Brown" Wilburn also from Live
Oak County also fought as a Texas Ranger in the same conflict. (JWH)
Burial information and mapshowing where Lafayette and Jesusita Wilburn's
graves are located. (JWH)
Oakville, Texas Cemetery Layout. Shows that grave of John L. Willborn
(Wilburn) 1862 -1931, and wife Mattie L. 1869 - 1944. John L. Willborn was
Richard Brown Wilburn's nephew. Their graves are located in the second row of
section A. Section A is located at the front-right side of the cemetery looking
at it from the front. This information is documented in the George West Library
Cemetery Locator Book (JWH). Note: John L. Willborn was Precinct 1 County
Commissioner when the new Court House was built in George West about 1911. A
plaque inside the courthouse has his name on it.
The Peoples History of Live Oak County. Chapter 11 provides several bits of
information about Wilburn relatives of Live Oak County. Documents can be
obtained from George West Library (JWH).
Live Oak County Centenial Booklet (1856 - 1956). George West Library
(JWH)
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