It’s Family Time~The Martin Archibald Teeter Family

One thing I have learned in my 46+ years of family research is that the past was very difficult for our ancestors. Leaving established towns and communities and moving westward with the growth of a young America was brave considering the perils along the way. Then, after determining where to settle you are faced with a lack of Doctors, Medicine and other worldly goods needed in your daily life. It wasn’t easy.

The Martin Archibald Teeter family was one of those pioneering families. Martin Archibald Teeter was born abt 1812 in Cabarrus County, North Carolina. He was the middle child and son of Peter Teeter and Ann Elizbeth Dry. He had 4 siblings; 3 brothers and a sister. 

The Teeter’s, Peter and Ann and children and their families, moved to Pope County, Arkansas sometime between 1838 and 1840 Census.

Their son, Martin Archibald Teeter had married a young lady named Sarah Jane ‘Sallie” Petray, daughter of  John Petray and Catherine Carriker. This marriage took place on 19 October 1830 and by 1838 when the Teeter’s made their move westward, Martin and Sallie had a growing family of three children. After arriving in Pope County, Arkansas they would add five more children to their growing families.  

Martin Archibald Teeter and Sarah Jane Petray had the following children:

 i. Susannah Elvina Teeter, born abt 1831, Cabarrus County, North Carolina; married Patrick H. Talley, 16 Oct 1851, Pope County, Arkansas.

 ii. Jacob Wilson Teeter, born abt 1835, Cabarrus County, North Carolina; married Ellen Touchstone, 17 Oct 1888, Drew County, Arkansas; died 16 Jan 1923, Drew County, Arkansas.

 iii. Daniel Marion Teeter, born 5 Oct 1838, Cabarrus County, North Carolina; married Cynthia A. Braly; died 21 Apr 1928, Alameda County, California.

 iv. Sarah Jane Teeter, born abt 1843, Pope County, Arkansas; married Francis Marion Reed, 13 Oct 1859, Conway County, Arkansas.

 v. Jonah Allen Teeter, born 18 Mar 1845, Pope County, Arkansas; married Celia Ann Loupe; died 22 Dec 1917, Johnson County, Texas.

 vi. Ransom Alexander Teeter, born 24 Mar 1848, Pope County, Arkansas; married Nancy Cooper; died 5 Jan 1932, Pope County, Arkansas.

 vii. James Lawson Teeter, born 15 Jun 1850, Pope County, Arkansas; married Sarah Ellen Brooks, 7 Jul 1870, Pope County, Arkansas; died 23 Jan 1900, Pope County, Arkansas.

viii. George Washington Teeter was born on 30 Sep 1853 in Pope County, Arkansas, United States. He died on 15 May 1930 at the age of 76 in Butte County, California. probated.

Their last born child, George Washington Teeter arrived on 30 September 1853. Sadly, his mother, Sarah Jane ‘Sallie’ (Petray) Teeter did not survive. Martin Archibald Teeter was left a widower with a newborn baby and 6 other children's ranging in age form 3 to 18 to care for. Their oldest daughter, Susannah Elvina Teeter was married and out of the household with her husband, Patrick H. Talley.

Sadly, this was not the end of tragedy for this family.  

In late 1857 to early 1858, sometime before 20 May 1858 Martin A. Teeter died. Martin was a single parent with 8 children; 4 of them under the age of twenty-one until he remarried on 20 April 1856. 

Martin had lost his first wife back on 30 September 1853 with the birth of his eight child, a son named, George Washington Teeter.

In Court on 20 May 1858, Brice McIver a Uncle of the minor children - Jonah A. Teator, Ransom A. Teator, James L. Teator and George W. Teator – petition the Court for the Guardianship of the minor children.
Mary Ann ‘Polly’ Petray was the wife of Brice McEver. She was also a sister to Sarah Jane ‘Sallie’ Petray Teeter the mother of the four minor children.
Tragically, the children's Uncle, Brice McEver, died of pneumonia in December 1860.

After the death of Brice McIver, the maternal grandparent took in several of the boys in 1860 & 1870 until they reached adulthood.

Transcription:
State of Arkansas}
County of Pope} In the Probate Court of Pope County, May 20th 1858 before the Clerk thereof in vacation.
Brice McEver, Ex Parte
To} Petition for Guardian for
Jonah A. Teeter et all
At this day comes Brice McEver, and files his petition, the object and prayer of which are for the appointment of a guardian for Jonah A. Teator, Ransom A. Teator, James L. Teator and George W. Teator children of Martin A. Teator dec. And it appearing to the County, that said minors are without father or mother, or any other person legally authorize to support, protect and control them, that they have no means of subsistence, and it also appearing that said petitioner is the uncle to said minors, and that it is necessary a guardian should be appointed said minors. It is order that said Brice McEver be and he is hereby appointed guardian for said minors, the said McEver having filed his bond, as required by law.
Roof H. Harrell, Clk.
State of Arkansas}
County of Pope}
In the Pope Probate Court, in vacation, before the clerk thereof May 29th 1858.

Martin Archibald Teeter is my 1st Cousin 4X Removed.

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1. "Arkansas Probate Records, 1817-1979," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99W3-2Q76?cc=2061549&wc=M7QZ-SP8%3A353223101%2C353240401 : 22 May 2014), Pope > image 573 of 719; county courthouses, Arkansas.

2. 1850 U. S. Census, Pope County, Arkansas, population schedule, Pope, Arkansas, Page: 288A (stamped); Line 33, Dwelling 661, Family 661, Household of Martin A. TEETER; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 12 January 2017); citing NARA publication Roll: M432_29.

3. Pope County, Arkansas, Probate Files & Loose papers, Teeter Children Guardianship; digital images, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org: Viewed on-line 3 June 2020); Estate of Martin A. Teeter.

4. "North Carolina, Marriages Index, 1741-1868," database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 3 June 2020), Marriage: Martin A. Teeter & Sally Petry, Bond #: 000010344; Bond Date: 19 Oct 1830.

5. "Arkansas Marriage Index, 1837-1957," database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 3 June 2020), Marriage: Martin A. Teter & Josephine Woods; Arkansas Division of Archives and History, 1977; Marriage Date: 20 Apr 1856.

End of an Era~One of the Last Gunfights of the West

Three Men Killed in Personal Difficulty.

Vicksburg, February 13. A difficulty occurred yesterday at Johnsville, Mississippi, between Colonel Holman, Dr. Lowry, Dr. Walker and Mr. Arnold. The fight began by Holman shooting Lowry. Arnold shot Holman, wounding him, then shot and killed Walker, and was himself in turn shot by Holman. Arnold and Lowry have since died. Holman was arrested.

The next transcription of the event came from an obituary posted by “backroad traveler” on the FindAGrave memorial for William Lownds Lowery. I had others but this particular account of the events was the best.  

THE MISSISSIPPI TRAGEDY
Details of the Lowry-Holman Bloodshed at Johnsonville
In the annals of deadly affrays in this State we know of no occurrence so fatal in its results as that which occurred on board the steamer Sunflower, while lying at Johnsonville, the county seat of Sunflower county. The particulars, as near as we can gather them, are about as follows: About ten days ago Col. D. A. Holman, while in Johnsonville, on entering Dr. W. L. Lowry's store, was accosted by Dr. Lowry, who ordered Holman out, remarking, it is said, that Holman was no gentleman, and did not keep his word, or something to that effect. Holman departed, saying in substance he would see Lowry again. On the morning of the affair Col. Holman engaged passage on the steamer Sunflower, for Vicksburg, accompanied by his father-in-law. Dr. G. C. Walker. The boat arrived at Johnsonville somewhat earlier than usual, and Col. Holman and Dr. Walker together wont on shore, but in a short time returned. Perhaps a half hour later Dr. Lowry, as was usual with him, came on the boat to transact his business, and while entering the cabin, was caught so it is said, by the left armor back, by Col. Holman, who turned Lowry halfway around, and putting his pistol to his breast, fired. Lowry. started down the cabin, but instantly turned, and seeing his clerk, John C. Arnold, start from his chair (being shaved at the time), said "kill him, John, kill him, he has shot me. "Arnold ran out of the cabin to attack Holman, and Lowry, walking to the cabin door, cocked his pistol and fired at Holman. At the same instant of time, perceiving Dr. Walker with a pistol in hand, pointed his pistol at Walker with deadly effect, Walker falling and expiring almost without a struggle. Lowry then walked back in the cabin staggering, and fell, and in about two minutes expired also. In the meantime, Arnold and Holman were fighting outside the cabin, Arnold receiving a wound in the chest, and died shortly after being removed from the boat, Colonel Holman being wounded in the left arm and side, but to what extent could not be ascertained, as the boat left shortly afterwards. The affair is deeply regretted, us all the parties engaged are very highly respected. Dr. Lowry was a brother of Gen. Robert Lowry, and leaves a widow and six children. Arnold was a brother of Judge Arnold, of Columbus, Miss., Colonel Holman being a prominent and talented lawyer, and respected in the community in which he lives. Dr. Walker was one of the oldest residents of the county, and we believe had no enemies. Colonel Holman, the only survivor, was immediately arrested and will have a preliminary examination before Justice Toney next Saturday.
 

Dr. W. L. Lowry was William Lownds Lowry, son of Robert T. Lowry and Jemima Mary Rushing. He was born 26 February 1831 in Chesterfield County, South Carolina. William was 47 years old when he was shot and killed in the above described gunfight. Dr. Lowry was married to Sallie Flowers about 1865-1866. After has death, she was appointed Postmistress on 29 May 1890 for the town of Baird, Sunflower County, Mississippi. She died 27 October 1909 at Bessemer, Jefferson, Alabama. 

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[1] Chronicling America, Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.), February 20, 1879, Image 2, column 4.

[2] Obituary: Courtesy of Backroad traveler. Savannah morning news. Savannah, Ga., February 25, 1879, Image 1
Added by: Backroad traveler on 9 Mar 2020

[3] Johnsville is a misprint in the newspaper clipping. It should have read Johnsonville, Mississippi.