Young Settlement History

Submitted by Ruth Crowson, 2/2003, rycrowson@austin.rr.com

ASDF

(Michael Young)

(Anderson Young)                  (William J Young)

The Young's of Bastrop County, Texas

In March 1829, Michael and Rachel Young, their sons William and Anderson, and Michael’s

sister Emily, her husband Silas Jones and their family came to Texas from Alabama as part of Austin’s 2nd Colony. Michael’s league was in Ft. Bend Co. and while living on it he took part in the skirmish at Anahuac in 1832, served in Jesse Billingsley’s company of Mina Volunteers, and served on the 1st jury assembled at Richmond.

In 1838 Michael bought the NE ½ of Elizabeth Standifer’s league plus 500 acres of James Standifer’s league in Bastrop Co., he and Rachel having sold ½ of their league in Ft. Bend Co.

In the next 7 years he bought an additional 1515 acres of the Standifers, Burleson, Christian, McLaughlin, and Richard Young leagues.

When Emily’s husband died, Michael became guardian of her son William Johnson Jones. Wm. Johnson lived with Michael in Bastrop Co., leaving before the 1850 census to attend school at Bastrop Academy. He later became a minister for the Church of Christ/Christian Church in the Austin/Manor area.

In 1842 Indians on a horse thieving expedition ended up near Michael’s home. His 8-yr-old son Perry was driving up the calves when one of the Indians threw a lasso around him. Perry slipped through the loop and escaped to give the alarm. Michael gathered 15 neighbors and gave chase. In the ensuing 4-hr. fight he was wounded in the breast.

By 1846 the Bastrop County Commissioners Court accepted James Standifer’s report that a

new road should be built beginning at J. Standifer’s, “thence running through M. Young’s field past said Young’s house, thence on to W. H. Fisher, thence by Taylor Smith, thence by J. Litton, thence by W.C. Dalrymple’s house, leaving Dalrymple’s house on the left going north, thence

by D. Biggs’ and thence northeasterly until it intersects the county line.”

The 1850 census lists Michael with his sons William, Anderson, Perry, and Thomas. Anderson J. Price, David Fisher, and schoolteacher Thomas Canty were living with them, and all the boys attended school that year. Michael had bought a female slave in 1844, and Rachel was absent on the 1850 census--perhaps she had died. No mention was made of her after the 1838 deed. According to her great grandson she was buried near present day Elgin.

In 1844 Michael’s sister Ann/a, her husband Hugh McDowell Lawhon, and their family came to Bastrop Co, settling at Young’s Prairie, where from wild land they developed a farm. Hugh McDowell served throughout the Mexican war of 1846-7 and for many years was Justice of the Peace. He died in 1876, his wife Anna surviving him two more years. They are buried in Young’s Prairie Cemetery.

In 1854 Michael’s brother Joseph Young bought 100 acres from James Standifer out of the Richard Young grant after coming to Bastrop Co. from Franklin Co., Alabama. His wife Sally died sometime between 1850 and 1860, leaving 4 children. Two of Joseph’s sons served in the Confederacy; William Perry in Co. D Parsons Regt Mt Vol and Joseph J. In 1863 Michael sold 75 acres out of the McLaughlin tract to Joseph J. Before the family left Bastrop Co. for Rusk Co. William P. also owned land.

By 1860 Michael’s brother Francis had brought his family from Alabama to the Youngs’ Settlement area [founded by Michael], and in 1861 he bought Lot #8 in the “town of Perryville” The year before that purchase the family was living with Michael’s son Perry, who by that time was a merchant and Justice of the Peace. Perry was the 3rd Postmaster for Young’s Settlement beginning in 1858, and he was appointed for the succeeding term in 1861, but resigned in August of that year. The National Archives’ list of Post Masters gives his name followed by CSA, so perhaps he resigned to enter the Confederate army.

Young’s Settlement had voted 38 for secession and 43 against. Anderson and Thomas, Michael’s sons, fought with the Confederacy, Anderson in the 30th Texas Cavalry and Thomas in the 31st. Anderson returned home to his wife Rachel [Gooch] and their 5 children.

but Thomas died of pneumonia March 28, 1863. Notice of his death was carried in The

State Gazette, Apr 15, 1863:

“Young, Thomas J. died March 26, 1863 son of M. Young, in the 24th year of his age. He was a resident of Perryville, Bastrop Co., and a member of Capt. Thompsons Co., Col. Hawpe’s Regiment. He volunteered early in 1861.”

On July 6, 1864 the Gazette noted further troubles for Michael:

"Runaway from the subscriber the 22nd of June, a negro boy named Anthony, age 23 years old, dark complexion, thick lips, 160-170 pounds. I brought said negro from Union Parish, Louisiana last winter.”

Youngs Settlement

Bastrop Co., M. Young"

p. 2

In 1866 Michael bought an acre in Perryville from Barnet Payne , and in 1868 he bought lot #8 in that town from the estate of his brother Francis. The next year he sold the acre in Perryville to E.C. Moore. The road to the Walterscheiot tree farm is on the eastern portion of the acre, the fence of the Lecompte property a few feet south of the dirt stock tank is the northern border, and

the cre extends out into the open field on the west.

William, Michael’s oldest son, and his wife Martha had 6 children by the end of the war. In 1868 Michael gave 1000 acres of the Elizabeth Standifer league to “my son William Young.” In the next 20 years William’s daughters and son were married: Eliza to I. M. Adams, Sarah

to T. S. Pincherd, Mary Ada to Hayworth L. Potts, Alice to E. W. Standifer, Matilda to

M. L. Meeks, Lee Elizabeth to J. W. Wood, and Perry A. to S/L. C. Potts. William gave to several of them 50 acres of land each. Sometime after Alice and Ed Standifer sold her 50 acres they built a house in Elgin, and Alice lived there until her death in 1936. In 2003 that house, at 308 S. Main St., is occupied.

Lee Elizabeth, the youngest of William’s children, died following delivery of twin boys, 15 months after her 1889 marriage. Dale survived, but J.W. Jr. died and is buried next to his mother in Youngs Prairie Cemetery.

Alice Young Standifer was a long-time member of the Elgin Christian Church and a regular attendant, teaching a class in Sunday School known as the Alice Standifer Bible class named in her honor. For a long time she was a member of the Elgin Cemetery Association, and at one time was its president. Alice and her husband Ed are buried in the Elgin Cemetery; also buried there are her sister and brother-in-law Ada and Hayworth Potts.

William’s wife Martha died about 1879, and for a time their widowed daughter Eliza and her

sons lived with William. In April 1896 William sold the last of his Bastrop Co. property to

Emma and F.R. Jones, disclaiming any homestead rights.” He died before time to pay taxes in 1897, his estate paying them. William and Martha are buried in Youngs Prairie Cemetery in unmarked graves.

Michael, with sons Anderson and Perry and their families, left Bastrop Co. about 1868 and moved to Bell Co., establishing the town of Youngsport on the 1/3 league that he had bought from Francis Mudd on the Lampasas River in 1837. Michael and Perry sold part of an acre in Perrytown to E.C. Moore in 1874. The next year Michael died. The Bastrop Advertiser carried the following note:

“DIED - Old Uncle Mike Young, an old citizen of BC, of abscess of the liver, at Williamsport last week.”

A few months before his death Michael gave the following account of his life:

Young, Michael-73 years of age-immigrated to Texas in 1829. First service was in a

company made up to go to the relief of the citizens of Anahuac [against Mexican Garrison]

under Randal Jones-I think under Col Frank Johnson, do not recollect certain as to that. This

was not a regular enlistment. Col Bradburn was in command of the Garrison. He surrendered

without a fight. Was never in any general battle with the Mexicans. At the battle of San

Jacinto was in charge of my own family and that of a widow woman and could not leave them.

p. 3

I was then in Fort Bend County. The summer after I joined the Army at Victoria for 3 months

under Capt Wallace. Remained there until the Army was disbanded the same season. This

was in 1836. for this service recd a Bounty of 320 Acres of land. In 1841 went into service

under Capt Jonathan Burleson [a minute Co] against the Indians. N M Bain was 1 Lieut We

had a fight with five Indians. We killed them all. This was on the head of Wilbarger Creek,

now in Williamson County. In this battle I was wounded severely in the breast by an arrow.

Was in several Indian raids afterwards but none of importance. My health for the past year

has not been good. My present means of support are ample and sufficient. I was born in the

state of Georgia 24th of May 1802 Post Office Youngsport Bell Co Texas. Sworn to before

J T Beach N P Bell County 23rd Mar 1875

Submitted by Ruth Crowson, 2/2003 rycrowson@austin.rr.com