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Joseph Leonard Draper and Sarah Beaty
Joseph Leonard Draper, born December 4, 1839, Red River County
Texas. Came to Coryell County in the early 1850's with his parents, Michael Draper born
Jan. 4, 1794 -- Tennessee and Sabrina (Farris) Eastus Draper, Oct.
3, 1811, Kentucky. Other children, Jasper 1841, Nurissa 1843, Andrew Jackson 1844, George
Washington 1847, Sarah Elizabeth 1849.
En route, they came through Waco, Texas a short distance out of town they noticed several
men following their wagon train for a number of miles. Early in the afternoon the
travelers made camp at Comanche Springs in McLennan Co. near the Coryell Co. line near
where McGregor is now located. At nightfall three men visited their camp inquiring if any
of their stock was for sale. After Michael Draper told them the stock was not for sale,
they left but not before they were recognized as being in the group that followed their
train early in the day.
For safe protection the men took turns night watching for fear the strangers would return
and steal their stock and harm the family. Two days later they arrive at Gatesville, Tex,
where Michael had an appointment with a land agent. He bought several hundred acres of
rich black land six miles N.E. of Gatesville, built a family home, cleared the land for
farming and stock raising. Michael Draper died 1865.
Joseph Leonard married Sarah Beaty, February 20, 1861, the daughter of Wm. and Lucinda Beaty who settled in the community 1854, having
migrated from Missouri. Joseph L. and Sarah lived near their parents and had 6 children.
Mary Louisa, April 17, 1862 -- John Wesley, July 17, 1866 -- Joseph Leonard Jr., March 3,
1870 George I., Oct. 19, 1873 -- Cordelia Frances, Oct. 17, 1875 -- William F., February
28, 1879. (Cordelia Frances (Sis) was my mother).
Joseph Leonard served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War, enlisted May 24, 1862
in Coryell County, Texas, discharged March 2, 1865. He was wounded and captured at
Arkansas Post. Moved to Way Hospital, Meridan, Miss.
Because of water shortage, Joseph Leonard and Sarah bought a farm on Coryell Creek, in the
Blackfoot community near the Country store at Pulltight. Some of their children attended
Blackfoot School, which was located near the Blackfoot (Davidson Cemetery). After living
at this place several years, they sold and moved to California. This move lasted only a
short time because of Sarah's homesickness. He sold and moved back to Coryell County,
settling 3 miles N.E. of Mound, Texas. They were members of the White Mound Baptist
Church, he helped build the first Tabernacle with removable doors for winter or summer
worship. Later the White Mound Baptist Church was built near the Tabernacle.
Cordelia Frances (Fanny) married John I. Lamb Jr. Jan. 16,
1894, had eleven children, Leonard, 1894 -- Myrtle, 1896 -- Simmie, 1898 -- Edward, 1901
-- Viola, 1903, G.L. 1905 -- Alline, 1908 -- Joe L. 1910 -- Joel, 1912 Gordan and Jordan
(twins), 1915, Fannie died 1916 John I., 1942. Buried in the Lamb Cemetery near Mound,
Tex. Sarah was the first to die, Sept. 1895 at the farm home. Joseph Leonard remarried to
Ellen Lamb Rogers, had 3 children -- Zayda, 1897 -- Esteen, 1900 -- Ernest, 1902.
Joseph Leonard died 1905 at Mound, Texas he and Sarah are buried in the Blackfoot
(Davidson) Cemetery.
--- Aline Lamb Sellers
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