History
of J. R. Northcutt Family
Biography of J. R. Northcutt
Letter From J. R. Northcutt To His
Nephew
Will of J. R. Northcutt
*Please note that there are discrepancies in these documents. John Robinson Northcutt states in one document that the Northcutts are of Welch descent and in another of Irish descent. I have no proof which is correct. Also, he states that his grandfather had 3 sons from his first marriage and "they grew up and settled in Kentucky hence all the Northcutts of that vast country sprang from these brothers". Research of the KY branch of the Northcutt family disproves this statement. Perhaps he was confused with the story about 3 Northcutt brothers immigrating to this country. This story seems to have been told in all branches of the Northcutt family. To my knowledge, no one has been able to prove who these original 3 brothers were. This research continues. Also, his biographical information states that Alexander had one sibling. In his letter to his nephew, he states that Alexander had 2 siblings. It is believed that Alexander did have 2 siblings.
The following document was sent to me by Thelma Duncan, Bronte, Texas, great-grandaughter of John Robinson Northcutt. It is presented exactly as written by William Winston Northcutt
The following account of the history of the
Northcutt family of Erath County, Texas was compiled in September, 1975, by William
Winston Northcutt and his wife, Lydia, of Cement, Oklahoma, in cooperation with Lee
Northcutt age ninety-four, a son of Alfred Northcutt, Pearl (Northcutt) Timmons, age
eighty-four, a daughter of Robert Northcutt, and Lucy Morrison Logston, a daughter
of Henrietta Northcutt. Lee Northcutt and Pearl Timmons are residents of De
Leon, Texas. Lucy Logston and her husband, Harry Logston, reside in Dublin, Texas.
William Winston Northcutt and his wife, Lydia, reside in Cement, Oklahoma. He is the great-great-great grandson of John Robinson "Pap" Northcutt, the great-great grandson of William M. "Billy" Northcutt, the grandson of Henry Winston Northcutt, and the only son of William Bryant Northcutt.
Love, judgement and tenacity beget loyalty, understanding, success and stability as is borne out by this account of a pioneer Texas patriarch and his family group. His was a family - not all saint nor all sinners - some good, with some not-so-good; some not-so-fortunate, but all loyal and generally well respected.
John Robinson Northcutt and his family of Erath County arrived on Cow Creek December 24, 1869; broke the ice on Cow Creek to water their oxen which had brought his family by wagon train west from Georgia and Alabama prior to 1863 to Somerville in Burleson County, and further west to Erath County near Dublin and De Leon to the family homesite on Cow Creek.
John Robisnson Northcutt also known by the name of "Pap" was a circuit riding Baptist minister, a farmer and a soldier, having served as a Captain in the Confederate Army of the Confederate States of America during the War between the States and was honorably discharged after having been wounded. He had been born January 21, 1814 in Georgia or Alabama. He married Annie Dorsett and together they raised a "close-knit" family of seven boys: William M. (known as Billy), Jesse and Alfred (twins), Luke S., T. Ed., Robert, and Bass and two daughters: Emma and Charlotte.
During the wagon-train trip west, one of the twin boys, Alfred, became seriously ill. He was unable to travel and it seemed probable that he would die. Faced with this problem, the father, John R. decided to make camp to stay with Alfred and send the family ahead to Erath County, "before hard winter set in", and with the assurance that he would follow as soon as possible. Nothing was heard from "Pap" and Alfred until the following June when they both appeared while the family was working in the cornfield. A very joyous reunion followed since the family never expected to see Alfred again. Annie, the wife and mother, was described as destroying "a considerable amount" of corn with her running, shouting and "praising the Lord" with unrestrained joy for the safe return of her husband and son.
John R. "Pap" was a hard working, wise and conservative man and had managed to amass enough means to purchase a large amount of rich valley land in Erath County (which was cheap at the time - around 50 cents an acre). He proceeded, at once, to establish a school and a church, known as Live Oak Baptist Church, and housed in seperate structures on the home property and to each child as he married, deeded, or sold, a farm from his original land. He continued his ministry and was instrumental in founding the First Baptist Church of Dublin and The First Baptist Church of De Leon Texas. The latter church was established under a live-oak tree near the town of De Leon.
In April of 1886, tragedy struck when Annie Northcutt (wife of Pap) became seriously ill and the boys of the family took turns sitting by her bedside and caring for her night and day. It was during this time that a son, Ed, who had also recently lost his wife with what was then known as "child-bed fever", has been sitting with his mother and was thoroughly exhausted. He left when another son arrived to take over and went to his home to rest and get ready for his next turn at the bedside of his mother. Morphine, which had been prescribed for his deceased wife was lying on the table beside their bed. It is thought that Ed, being tired and tense, decided to take a dose of the drug to help him relax and rest. It proved to be too much and Ed died in his sleep. Nasty rumors began to fly. A preacher named Jones appeared at the home of Luke Northcutt. He proceeded to inform Luke that his brother Ed was "doomed to Hell and damnation" for taking his own life. A violent argument ensued and soon escalated into a "shoot-out" in which Luke was killed defending his brother's honor. The preacher was acquitted. When Ed Northcutts wife died the necessity of a burial site became an immediate problem since the science of embalming had not reached the area. To resolve the problem "Pap" set aside an acre of land on his farm to be used as a family cemetery. Thus the burial spot, as it exists today, was established.
On January 18, 1886, Lydia May Northcutt, daughter of Henry Winston Northcutt and Emma Josephine McGough died and was buried in the family plot. It would be either this child or the wife of Ed Northcutt who was the first person buried at the cemetery. Ed's wife's exact date of death (1886) is unknown to us at this time. On April 16, 1886, Ed Northcutt was buried. April 22, 1886, Luke Northcutt was buried. On April 23, 1886, Annie Northcutt (wife of "Pap") was laid to rest. The year 1886 had taken a frightful toll of the Northcutt family.
At this time these graves are all marked with monuments with the exception of Ed Northcutt's wife. All other graves in the cemetery are also marked in one manner or another. With but one exception, all graves in the cemetery are graves of Northcutts or relatives connected with Northcutts. Two children named Crowder, who were itinerant and died in the community, were given grave sites there and these graves were marked with native head stones and have been tended by the family.
The cemetery consists of one acre of land located on the original J.
R. Northcutt farm, now owned by Lane Jones, Rt. #3, Dublin, Texas. One-half acre is
fenced with heavy ornamental fence supported by forty-one four inch steel posts set in
concrete, with a gate on the south, to protect the cemetery from livestock and other
animals. The remaining one-half acre lies to the north of the fenced portion.
It is stipulated that access, by road, to the cemetery shall be provided and maintained by
any or all future owners of the surrounding land. The property is mowed regularly and
cared for, at this time, by a Mr. Hervert Loveliss of Rt. #2, De Leon, Texas. Mr.
Loveliss is a highly respected, dependable man around seventy years of age. He is
experienced in this work and reasonable and fair. He charges us $150.00 a year for
his services and is paid up to September 1, 1976. Any money contributed to the
maintainence of the cemetery should be sent to .........<snip>....
A check to Mr. Loveliss will be mailed each year to cover his fees and any balance will be
allowed to accumulate to be used for landscaping and improvements. ....... <snip>...
I hope you will make a special effort to drop by the cemetery, personally, and that you will be an active booster of this memorial to a proud, united family.
<signature of W. W. Northcutt>
W. W. Northcutt
p.s. It is our intention to make this place one of the most beautiful spots in Texas. Attached is a list of all people buried at the cemetery.[*] I will appreciate the names and addresses of any who you feel should receive this. I will be happy to mail them a copy at once.
I would also appreciate any family information you may have. (Names, dates, relationships, occupations, where buried, etc.)
[* See Deaths/Obituaries page for names of
those buried in this cemetery]
[* See Photo Gallery for a picture of John R. Northcutt's
tombstone]
Biography of John Robinson Northcutt
REVEREND JOHN R. NORTHCUTT OF DUBLIN, TEXAS
History of Texas, 1896, Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co.
This gentleman, to whose life history we now turn,
stands conspicuously forward as one of the first
settlers of his locality and as one who has been closely identified with the physical,
moral and religious development of the country. His is distinctively a pioneer. His
parents and grandparents before him were pioneers; their history shows a succession of
migrations and a people occupying leading and representative positions in the various
frontier settlements in which they cast their lots. The biography, therefore, of our
subject, is one of special interest in this connection.
John R. Northcutt was born in Tennessee, January
21, 1814, and when a child was taken by his parents to Georgia, where he was reared in
frontier settlements and with no other educational advantages than the primitive schools
of the community afforded. His parents were Alexander and Lucy (Robinson) Northcutt, the
former a native of the Old Dominion and the latter of North Carolina.
The Northcutts are of Scotch origin. The grandfather of our subject came to this country from Scotland at a date prior to the Revolutionary war and made settlement in Virginia, where he resided a number of years. He left his wife and three little sons there while he joined the army and fought for independence.
Returning home on a furlough, he found his wife had died and his little ones were scattered, and while at home he suffered much abuse at the hands of the Tories. He shortly after went back to the army, and continued in the service until the war closed. Subsequently he married again, and by his second wife had two children, a son and a daughter, the son being Alexander, the father of our subject. When Alexander was a youth of sixteen the family moved to Georgia, and there the Revolutionary veteran passed the residue of his life and died. Alexander Northcutt married and moved to Tennessee, and a few years later, when a treaty was made with the Indians, he returned to Georgia and located in Jasper county, where he was a prominent pioneer. While in Tennessee, he served in the War of 1812. He was in the battle of Talladega, and also the Horse Shoe Battle, the latter in the Creek war. After the treaty had been made with the Indians and another new territory opened, he moved west to the Ocmulgee river and pioneered again, opening up a farm and taking the lead in the new settlement. But even there he was not satisfied.
The spirit of emigration again seized him, and his
next migration was to Campbell county, on the Chattahoochee river, where he settled among
the Creek Indians and opened another farm. His next and last move was after the Cherokee
purchase, when he selected a location in Cobb county. There, with the aid of his sons, he
reclaimed from nature his last farm, and there the stalwart pioneer passed his closing
years and died. Both he and his wife were members of the Primitive Baptist Church. When
the Church was divided he left it, while his wife went with the Missionary Church and
remained a consistent and devoted member of the same until her death. Captain Northcutt,
as that worthy pioneer was called, earned the title during his military service. He filled
various positions of trust and prominence in the different localities where he had his
abiding place, was public spirited, frank and generous, and was as highly respected as he
was well known.
From this succinct review of our subject's
paternal ancestry we pass now to some mention of the Robinson's, his mother's people. John
Robinson, his grandfather, was a wealthy farmer and slaveholder of Georgia, and died
there. His son Luke, an uncle of Mr. Northcutt, was a noted Primitive Baptist preacher in
Georgia for over forty years; and John Robinson, a brother of Luke, distinguished himself
as a member of the Georgia legislature, where he served twenty-two terms, at the end of
that time refusing to serve longer on account of his age. He was a very wealthy man, an
owner of many slaves, and was well known and greatly esteemed throughout Georgia. J.J.
Robinson, the youngest son, was a lawyer of marked ability. He came to Texas about 1826
and located in Sabine county, where he remained through life, and where he died during the
late war. He never married. He accumulated a large amount of wealth, and at one time was
the owner of many slaves. He, however, had given all his slaves their freedom before the
war came on.
The children born to Alexander and Lucy Northcutt
numbered twelve, their names in order of birth being herewith given: Elizabeth, Nancy,
William, John R., Elijah, Alford, Jesse, Alexander, Luke, Lucy, Frances and James.
John R. Northcutt remained with his father, moving
about from one frontier settlement to another as above recorded, until April 5, 1835,
when, having attained his majority a short time before, he left the parental shelter and
started out to make his own way in the world, with no assistance and with nothing to lose
and all to gain. After changing his location once or twice, he settled in the Cherokee
Indian country before the Indians had been moved from that section, and in Chattahoochee
County bought land and made a farm. For nine years he made that place his home. Then he
returned to Cobb County, where he followed farming and merchandising until January, 1853,
at that date removing to Alabama, maintaining his residence in Alabama sixteen years,
until his removal to Texas in 1868. In 1851 he was converted and joined the Missionary
Baptist Church. Soon afterward he began to take an active part in church work, his
interest never flagged, and after his return from a hard service in the late war, he was
ordained a minister and dedicated his life to the service of the Lord. His first regular
charge was Pine Grove, where he served as pastor until his removal to this State. Before
proceeding to his life in Texas, we would revert briefly to his army experience.
In 1861, at the very beginning of the war, Mr.
Northcutt raised a company, and as its captain, marched to the front. There were few, if
any, companies in the southern army that were composed of braver, truer men, or commanded
by a braver captain than this. They made some long, hard marches, including one beyond
Mobile, and were participants in the battle of Corinth. In that noted battle this company
lost in killed and wounded about one-half its number, among the latter being the captain
who received a bullet wound in his right thigh, the bone being badly fractured. As a
result of this wound he was a great sufferer for six months. At once he resigned his
commission and returned home, and it was immediately after his recovery that he was
ordained for this ministry. After this he took no further part in the war.
On coming to Texas in 1868, Mr. Northcutt stopped
first on the Brazos River in Hood County, where he remained two years before deciding upon
a permanent location. In 1869 he bought a section of wild land in Erath County, and to
this place he moved in December of the following year. Here he developed a farm and in
this same locality he still lives. Some five or six families were already settled within a
few miles of the land he purchased, but he was the pioneer of the immediate vicinity.
Stephenville was for some time the nearest trading and milling place. He sent to the
Brazos for his first bread-stuff, and he recalls having paid as high as one dollar and
twenty five cents per bushel for corn. As soon as possible he brought his land under
cultivation, and all these years he has been more or less interested in farming, raising
some stock, too, not however making a specialty of the stock business. From time-to-time
he assisted his sons in obtaining land near him, and of recent years he has divided his
holdings with his children, until now of his original six hundred and forty acres he
retains only one hundred and sixty, this including the family residence.
But farming was only a "pot boiler" with him. While he carried forward the improvement of his land and cultivated his crops of grain, he was at the same time at work in other fields, sowing other seed. During his sojourn in Hood county, he preached some twenty miles from home, at a church called Kimble. After his removal to Erath County, he at first preached wherever opportunity offered. The pulpit of Round Grove, the Church nearest his home, was then filled by Brother Ross. Mr. Northcutt preached in different churches, near and far, going whenever and wherever called and allowing nothing to hinder him from his appointments. He helped to organize Zion Hill Church, and occupied its pulpit two years. Next, he helped to organize Rock Dale Church, where he proclaimed the gospel at regular intervals for a period of five or six years; also assisted in the organization of the Flat Creek Church, and preached there two years. Later he went to Green Creek, and there he at first preached under the trees, the result being an organized church, over which he served as pastor for four years. He organized Walnut Creek church and was its regular minister four years. Also he organized Coperas Creek church, where he served another four years as pastor. The last church he helped to organize was at the head of Barton's creek, but he never officiated as regular pastor there. His last charge was at Live Oak church, which he filled four years, and since then, on account of infirmities of age, has not been in active work, preaching only occasionally, where invited.
For a number of years Mr. Northcutt belonged to
the Bosque association, of which he served as moderator two years. With the development of
the country, this organization grew until it was necessary for a division and eleven
churches withdrew from it, forming what has since been known as the Comanche association,
of which Mr. Northcutt is a member. His long service in the ministry has ever been
characterized by devotion to the cause. His own experience in the various new settlements
where he lived from time-to-time early gave him an intimate knowledge of the needs of
frontier people; and this knowledge, together with his earnest desire to benefit mankind
and honor God, has made him a power for good. As an organizer of churches and expounder of
the gospel, he has exerted an influence here in Texas that can be measured only by
eternity.
In conclusion, we would speak of Mr. Northcutt's
domestic relations. For more than half a century he was blessed with the companionship and
loving devotion of one of the truest and best of wives, death separating the aged couple
April 23, 1886, when the wife and mother was summoned to her last home. Mr. Northcutt was
married in his youth to Miss Annie Dorsett, a native of South Carolina, born January 21,
1821, daughter of Elijah and Anna Dorsett, both natives of that State. Her father was a
prominent farmer and died in Georgia. A brother of Mrs. Northcutt, Elijah Dorsett, came to
Texas at an early age and became prominent in Houston county, where at one time he served
as county sheriff. He died in Crockett. As the years passed by sons and daughters to the
number of fourteen were given to Mr. and Mrs. Northcutt. Three of these children died in
infancy and eleven grew up to occupy respected and useful positions in society. Briefly,
their record is as follows: Elijah, who was killed in the battle of Chickamauga;
Charlotta, who has been twice married, first to a Mr. Ganes, who was killed in the late
war, her present husband being I.S. Mason, whom she wedded after coming to Texas; John R.,
who died at the age of twenty-eight years, left a wife and two children; William M., a
resident a Dublin, Texas; Alford and Jesse, twins, both farmers of Erath county; Luke, a
farmer of this county, died and left a wife and five children; F.P., deceased, left a
widow and four children; Emma E. is the wife of A. Jones, a farmer, and Robert, also a
farmer. Mr. Northcutt now makes his home with his son Jesse.
On June 21, 1889, Rev. John Robinson Northcutt, son of Alexander Northcutt, wrote a letter to his nephew William George Northcutt in response to his nephew's request for assistance in gathering information on the family. The following is a copy of this letter. It is regretted that in this letter John Robinson Northcutt did not give his grandfather's name (Alexander's father). So, the search for my elusive GGGG GF continues!
W. G. Northcutt, Dear Nephew,
I received your letter of the 13 inst and notice you want to get up a family record, which I have been trying to do for some time, but have failed to trace the family as far back as desired. Your great grandfather came from Ireland to this country some time before the Revolution War, during the war lost his first wife, left him three little boys. They grew up and settled in Kentucky hence all the Northcutts of that vast country sprang from these Brothers. Your great grandfather married the second time. By his last wife raised three children: Alexander, Elijah and Lizzy. Elijah died when about 20 years of age. My father [Alexander] was 16 years old when his father left Virginia and came to Georgia and settled in Oglethorpe County. My father there married Lucy Robinson. My Mother had three children and moved to Tennessee from there went to Jackson War, came back to Jasper county, when your father [Elijah] was born in Apr. 13, 1816, moved from Jasper county to Henry county in 1824, from there came to Campbell county in 1828, where he grew up and married. The date of his ordination I have not got, but the Presbytery was Thornton Burk and Parker Rice. I lived in Chattoga County the time I think your Uncle Alfred can give you the date, as to your father's Brothers and Sisters, your grandfather Northcutt died April 1844; your grandmother Northcutt died October 2, 1866, 84 years of age; your aunt Eliza Brazeal born 1808, died 1880; your Aunt Nancy Hicks born 1810, died June 1864; your Uncle William born March 7, 1812, died 1869; J. R. Northcutt was born January 21, 1814; Elijah Northcutt was born April 13, 1816, died March 23, 1886; A. M. Northcutt was born April 13, 1818; J. J. Northcutt was born April 13, 1820, died April 26, 1888; Alexander Northcutt, Jr., was born March 1822 was killed in the Central Railroad in 1864; L. S. Northcutt was born December 23, 1824, died June 16, 1885; Frances Northcutt was born 1828, died 1882. You will see at a glance our family has been very carless in keeping family records. I was in Georgia last winter and spent a good deal of time trying to get up a family record of my own and my wife's people. I expect your father's date of birth you all have it one year too young. I am satisfied I have it right. Your Uncle Alfred had his date one year wrong. My intention when in Georgia last winter to come by to see you. The reason I did not, I had to bring an old Brother Graham that was so feeble I hurried through fast as possible. If I was with you I could tell you a good deal more about your connection than I can write. While in Georgia I went to all the graves of all our connection. Your father and [his] sister, Nancy is buried side by side at old Mars Hill. Your Father's grave had a nice tome stone, poor old sister Nancy none. I went to see the large oak in old Baby Carruth's yard, where your father organized old Altoona church under, but could not tell the tree, but my opinion that it has been cut down last winter as a large oak is there with the limbs cut off. The old church is almost gone down, I tried to preach to them one Sunday. I learned that they have no regular preaching there. My people are already claiming another visit from me this coming fall. If my health will admit the undertaking, I may go. If I should, I will try and come by and see you. If you should think I could give you anymore information, let me hear from you and I will do the best I can. Please write to me now and then. Crops tolerable promising, old corn 15 to 20 cents, threhed oaks 15. All the connection in good health, Your friend and uncle
J. R. Northcutt
p.s. I overlooked your Aunt Lucy Thomison, was born 1826, now lives in Decalb County Ala.
Will Of John Robinson Northcutt
State of Texas
Erath Texas
In the name of God Amen, I John R. Northcutte of said State of Texas and Erath County,
being of sound mind and memory do ordain and make this my last will and testament. I
want all of my just Debts paid and a decent Burial. I will and bequeath to each one
of my Children and orphan Grand Children my entire Real Estate Property to Charlotte Mason
and her Children the Children of John R. Northcutte Decesd.( John ?H? and William
Northcutte Fifty dollars each and nothing more) Alfred M. Northcutte, Jesse J. Northcutte,
Luke S. Northcutte, Dec. Franklin P. Northcutte Dec, Thomas E. Northcutte, Dec. Emmer
Jones, and Robert Northcutte, it is my desire that each one of my Children to share alike
of my Real Estate Property except the two sons of my son John R. Northcutte (Deceased)
namely John ?H?. and William Northcutte who is to have Fifty Dollars each and no more.
| The State of Texas County of Erath |
In County of Erath County Texas December Term A. D. 1900. |
To the Honorable County Court of said Erath County;
The petition of A. M. Northcutt and Jesse J. Northcutt with respect shows to the Court;
That petitioners are residents of Erath County, and that J. R. Northcutt, late of said
County, deceased, at the residence of J. J. Northcutt departed this life on the 23rd day
of August A.D. 1900;
That in his lifetime, to wit on the 11th. day of October 1898, the said J. R. Northcutt,
deceased, executed in writing and in due form of law, his last will and testament, which
said will accompanies this application, together with a codicil executed by said J. R.
Northcutt thereafter towit on the 19th. day of September 1899;
That by the terms of said will, testator disposed of all his estate both real and
personal, the probable value whereof is eight hundred and fifty dollars;
That in said will named and appointed as executors appears the names of your petitioners;
and your petitioners further reppresent that they are not qualified by law to act as
executors as aforesaid.
Wherefore your petitioners file thier application together with the said last will and
testament and the codicil thereto attached and pray that Citation issue as the law directs
and that at the December Term of this Honorable Court said will be admitted to probate and
that letters testamentary thereof be granted your petitiones in accordance wit the
provisions of said will, and your petitioners will every pray and etc.
Signed: W. E. Lowe(?)
Attorney for Petitioners Jesse J. and A. M. Northcutt.
Will Courtesy of Thelma Duncan, Bronte, TX
Last Updated:
April 07, 2006
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