MARION COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES
"F"
FERGUSSON, William J., the father of Effa Lee FERGUSSON PADGETT, was jailer in Marion County when Abe Rothschild was on trial for the murder of Diamond Bessie. His wife, Augusta Catherine SLAYTON FERGUSSON, (Gusta) was the daughter of Sanford G. SLAYTON, a surveyor who moved from Pittsylvania County, VA to Texas during the Republic of Texas.
On July 8, 1877, W. J. and Augusta Fergusson's five year old son, John died. While under guard for the murder of Diamond Bessie, Abe Rothschild wrote a poem of condolences for his jailer. Effie Lee Fergusson, daughter of W. J. Fergusson kept a poem in her Bible that she told her children was written by Abe Rothschild while he was in the jail in Jefferson, guarded by her father. I was given a copy of the poem typed by Effie's daughter.
Dear little Buddie,
Has been called away,
We shall never see him anymore;
His bright little smile
Will ne'er greet us the while,
For he has gone to the other shore.
The dear little boy,
That was his Mother's joy,
Has been by the Reaper claimed;
But we must submit,
To Him who has seen fit,
For it to be so, He has ordained.
His Mother's love, his
father's pride
He was with us but a little while;
He is now happy with the angels,
There he waits us with a smile.
(Taken from Texas Legacy, courtesy of Jimmie F Chatham).
FERGUSSON, Cora Mae
Cora Mae Fergusson was born in Marion County, TX in 1913.
She married James Harvey CHATHAM, Sr. who was b. January 11,
1879, Coryell County, Texas and d. January 29, 1968 Gregg County,
Texas. They married in Coryell County, Texas and James had nine
children by Cora and three children by Anna Pearl
FOWLER, who he married in Arkansas in 1949. Cora &
James settled in Marion County, Texas on part of the Texas
Republic Land Grant of Cora's grandfather, Sanford G. Slayton.
(Taken from Texas Legacy, courtesy of Jimmie F Chatham).
If you would like to add any information, or suggest any corrections, you may contact Angela Hartman county coordinator.
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