Joseph Leonard Draper and Sarah Beaty

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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This page was last updated on 04/03/99.