Samuel Stevenson Alexander

Samuel Stevenson Alexander

Samuel Stevenson Alexander was born in North Carolina on

August 28, 1804. He was married March 9, 1826, in Lovely

County, Arkansas, to Miss Thurzy Ross. The young couple soon

joined his parents in a move to the Cane Hill area and later to

the present Campbell section of Washington County. He at once

joined the Territorial Militia to control the Indians.

References to various papers are given here to reflect events

of Alexander's life and the times in which he lived.

A September 3, 1827, tax receipt signed by Jas. Wilson shows

that Samuel Alexander paid 75 cents in full for that year. For the

year 1828 he paid 81-1/4 cents in full payment of tax, with the

receipt signed by B. S. Moore, pty. Sheff.

A certificate shows that on May 18, 1929, Samuel was appointed

justice of the peace for the Township of Cane Hill,

County of Washington, by Robert Crittendon, acting Governor of

the Territory of Arkansas.

Taxes for 1830 were $1.37-1/2, paid to L. Evans, Collector. In

1833, Samuel paid $1.25 in tax to L. Evans, listing a dwelling at

6-1/4 cents; seven head of cattle at 6-1/4 cents, all for 50 cents;

and two horse beasts at 25 cents each and one poll at 25 cents,

$1.25 in all.

In 1836 Samuel had 238 acres of land in Washington County,

a dwelling house valued at $25.00; three horses and mules; five

meat cattle; and poll tax of 25 cents. In 1887 he had 200 acres of

land valued at $3.00 per acres; four horses valued at $240; and

four meat cattle valued at $40, for a total tax of $2.20.

On July 6, 1836, Washington County Commissioners sold,

granted and conveyed and confirmed to Samuel Alexander, his

heirs and assigns forever, blocks number 33 and 37 as laid down

in the plan of Fayetteville, for $29.00. Signers were Lewis Evans

L. S., John Woody L. S., L. Brodie, John West, Larkin Newton

L. S., and Samuel Vaughan L. S.

Also among Samuel Alexander's papers is a certificate giving

him the right of preparing and using for himself and his family

the medicine and system of practice secured to Samuel Thamson

by letters of patent from the President of the United States on

January 28, 1823. Samuel Alexander was constituted a member

of the Friendly Botanic Society, Etc., in the document dated

June 16, 1837.

A Fayetteville court house record states that Samuel

Alexander sold to David Walker Block 33 in Fayetteville "for the

sum of 25 d. good and lawful money in hand, on the 7th day of

July, 1837." Signing was witnessed by W. L. Oldham and

Sebourn G. Sneed.

About this time Samuel Alexander began to look around for

more room. Arkansas had become too crowded. He looked a

"right smart" before moving to Texas.

Samuel bought a 20-year-old Negro woman named Tabbitha

for $475 on September 20, 1844, in Washington County, Arkansas.

After his move to Burnet County, Texas, Samuel returned on

business to Washington County, Arkansas, where he bought a

Negro woman for $750 on June 27, 1857, and a Negro man for

$1,350 on July 18, 1857.

Samuel found a salt spring on the Colorado River when he

first arrived in Texas. He bought large kettles to evaporate the

salt water.

As soon as the Indians were under control, he and his sons

began to make and sell salt. About 1855 the new land was put in,

and Thurzy and the family members who were still at home

moved from Williamson County to North Burnet County, where

they spent their remaining days. Indians were still in the area but

were not much of a treat.

Samuel died as a result of a wagon accident on May 7, 1863,

and was buried in Mesquite Cemetery on family property in

Burnet County, Texas.

By: Gladys D. Alexander