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Col. James Jackson Gathings
b.1 Dec 1817 Anson Co., North Carolina, United States
d.24 Dec 1880 Covington, Hill Co., Texas, United States
Family tree▼ (edit)
m. 24 Feb 1817
(edit)
m. 5 Apr 1838
Facts and Events
Excerpts from Goodspeed's 'Biographical and Historical memoirs of Texas, Hill and Johnson Counties': "He removed from the State of his birth [SC] (sic) to North Carolina, thence to Mississippi, and finally to Texas, in 1849, first locating on Richland creek, in Navarre county, but one year later he came to Covington, Hill County, where he made his residence until death called him home. . . " From James Jackson Family History: "During the war [between the states] Governor Houston offered him a commission as Colonel and later as Brigadier General, but he refused both honors, saying that he was too old for military duty and could do more at home. And he did serve at home. There were two or three hundred women, children and aged people left in and about Covington that were without food, shoes and clothing. Col. Gathings ran his shoe shop, machine shop, mill and looms free of charge for the benefit of the needy people. From all over Hill County and from different counties, they came with their empty sacks and went away with flour, meat and shoes. In addition to this he mounted, equipped and clothed a large number of soldiers free of charge. "Colonel Gathings also experienced the days of reconstruction in Texas when reason went wild and ignorance and prejudice ruled the country . . ." Obituary, publication location unknown: "Died at his residence in Hill County on the 24th day of December, 1880, from injuries received in a cotton gin November 24th, Col. James Jackson Gathings, in the 63 year of his age. "The subject of the notice was born in Chesterfield District, S.C., the 1st day of December, 1817, and was raised in Anson County, N.C. He lived for some time in the earlier days of manhood in Aberdeen, Mississippi. He removed to Navarro County, Texas, in 1851, and two years afterward he settled near Covington, Hill County, Texas, which place was named in honor of his wife, where he continued to reside until his death. "Col. Gathings was twice married. His first wife was Martha Wall Covington, from Rockingham, N.C., by whom he had a large family of children, all of whom now reside near Covington except one son and two daughters, who died before him. His first wife died several years ago. Col. Gathings afterwards married Mrs. Eliza Covington, who survives him to mourn his death. "When Col. Gathings first settled in Hill county, his nearest neighbor lived ten miles from him. Col. Gathings, by his industry, integrity and energy, not only reared and educated a large, intelligent and interesting family, but amassed an ample fortune which he leaves to his family. Col. Gathings may well be considered one of the successful men of Texas. No man was ever more ready to aid deserving charities. He was a kind and devoted husband and parent. As a friend there was no better. As a citizen he was honest, enterprising and energetic. Though bold and aggressive, he was full of sympathy and kindness. His heart was large and kindly. He turned no one away empty who applied to him for assistance. He helped all who deserved it. In all the relations of life he was a true man. Noble, generous and brave, he sleeps with his fathers. He sleeps well, for it is well with him. He made his peace with his God several years before his death and died in the full hope of a blessed immortality with the redeemed of God." Family records say that the above references to his birth state being South Carolina is incorrect; that he was actually born in North Carolina. In the 1850 and 1860 census records, James J. gives his birth state as North Carolina. This 1860 census lists J. J. Gathings, born NC, age 42, farmer with $26,910, 22,925 acres and 45 slaves (the wealthiest individual and largest slave owner in the county), residence Hillsboro. The following research by James L. Poole of Richardson, Texas, was rec'd from him in September, 2013: "In 1842, when the Union County, North Carolina, was created from parts of Anson and Mecklenburg, James J. Gathings was listed as a resident living “on the Anson side” with 476 acres valued at $1500, “1 white poll and 5 B [black?] polls.” "Prior to 1844, he, his brothers, Sampson and Jackson Monroe, and apparently, his father and mother, moved to Monroe County, Mississippi, where they jointly established a rather large plantation in Prairie, Mississippi, near Aberdeen. James J. Gathings stayed here only about five or six years, before continuing a westward trek to Texas. "The Gathings were listed in the 1848 Tax Assessment Roll of Monroe County as follows: ["Comment: The above record establishes the fact that Jane Jackson Gathings was a resident of Monroe County in 1848, i.e., she did not reside in North Carolina at this time. And, the above record establishes the fact that James J. Jackson was living in Monroe County from at least 1848.]" James Poole also writes "I was personally informed by Mr. James E. Gathings that approximately eight months before his death, James J. Gathings suffered some sort of accident, which caused blood poisoning. During the time between the accident and his death, James Gathings divested himself of much of his real property, by giving it to his children. When he died, he died intestate (without a will). The records of his estate settlement are contained in the Hill County Probate Court records (Minutes Books #s 5 & 6). On 14 January 1881, a William C. Smith, apparently a lawyer of Johnson County, was named a temporary estate administrator in lieu of the widow, Eliza J. Gathings. Then on 24 May of the same year, he was named the permanent administrator after posting a bond for $50,000." References
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