Family Photos: Dalton, Patterson, and Travis

[manhunter]

Thought I would share some family photos that have been passed down through the family. 

The one of J. Frank Dalton (BELOW) was sent to my dad from his cousin, Thaola Travis.  In the photo are Dalton and my great uncle Floyd Travis and his wife, Lillian Travis.  They are standing in front of the Elbert Dewitt Travis homestead in Van Zandt County, not sure of time frame but guessing the 1930's maybe.




The photo of Elbert Dewitt Travis (BELOW), my great grandfather, was provided by my dad's cousin, Norma Green, the grand-daughter of Martha (Mattie) Ann Travis, daughter of Elbert Dewitt and Ann Patterson Travis.





The photo of Duncan Patterson (BELOW), my great-great grandfather and father of Martha Ann Patterson Travis, was likewise provided by Norma Green.  This photo looks more like a sketch.



Thanks and enjoy.

Any questions let me know.

David

[Texas Truth Teller]

Manhunter,
Thanks for posting the photos with the additional information.

You have substantiated part of the information in the sworn affidavit of DeWitt Travis. J. Frank Dalton had applied for a pension from the State of Texas. DeWitt's affidavit supported that claim, stating that Dalton, had helped move the Patterson family before the battle started between the Quantrill guerrillas and the Northern Invatders. DeWitt identified his mother as Ann Patterson, and that two of her brothers, Duncan Patterson and Neal Patterson, were with Quantrill.

DeWitt's description of the adversaries at the Battle of Jenkins Ferry in Arkansas is not supported by historical records.
Rulen's roster of Quanrill guerrillas does include the names of J. Frank Dalton, Duncan Patterson, and Neal Patterson. Perhaps someone found that information in the affidavit of DeWitt Travis.

[manhunter]

TTT,

According to census records, Neal Patterson lived with the Travis family in Mississippi before Elbert DeWitt moved to Texas, then he later shows up in Texas with the Travis family.

I have not been able to find much on Duncan Patterson other than his marriage and immediate family.

I would be interested in seeing Rulens roster of raiders. The one I have does not include Dalton or Patterson, and it may give more credence to my family stories of my great grandfather Travis riding with Quantrill.

Thanks.

[mikegolfpro]

Manhunter,

Thank you for sharing some of your family pictures!

[Texas Truth Teller]

Manhunter,
An accurate and complete record of those who were Missouri Partisan Rangers, commonly known as Quantrill guerrillas, does not exist. Some on the list have been conclusively identified. Some attended the Quantrill reunions in Missouri. Some seem to be based on hearsay.

Google “rulen quantrill roster” for the list of possible and confirmed guerrillas.

This is a “best guess” list with errors. Jim Anderson, the younger brother of Bloody Bill Anderson, died in Texas in the spring of 1871, not in 1867. I have a copy of the appointment of the administrator for the estate of J. M. Anderson, B. F.Christian, in Grayson County which listed the death date of J. M. Anderson as 14 April 1871. Information posted on the web from the family Bible of his sister-in-law, has a death date of 5 May 1871 for James Monroe Anderson. Mattie Erwin Maxwell and her husband Thomas Theodore Maxwell raised Jimmie Maude Anderson, the only child of James Monroe Anderson and Mary Lucy Erwin. After Jim Anderson’s death, Mary Lucy married Burrell Perry Smith Jr. and they had 8 children.

There are also pictures of attendees at 4 of the Quantrill reunions on Rulen’s website.

Pattersons may or may not have been with Quantrill.

It is a fact that after the Civil War, several Missouri guerrillas settled in Texas. I have not tried to determine if Texans joined Quantrill. Quantrill guerrillas wintered in Grayson County in the fall of 1863 - spring of 1864.

[Texas Truth Teller]

Manhunter,
You may be interested in information found at these two location:
Google "Find a Grave: and search for Elbert DeWitt Travis, van zandt county, texas
On Ancestry.com, select Search, then all collections, then Military, then Pensions, then enter Travis and Texas to locate the pension application of his widow, Mrs. M. A. (Martha Anna Patterson) Travis.

Ezekeil Travis, an older brother of Elbert, provided an enlistment date of July 1, 1864, and a pardon date of May 16, 1865 for Elbert Travis. His widow, Mrs. M. A. Travis, said that her husband had served for 9 months, and was pardoned May 16, 1865. The Civil War ended May 9, 1865.
DeWitt was born 20 January 1847. He would have been 17 when he enlisted at Augusta, Perry County, Mississippi.

[manhunter]

Thanks TTT,

I'm very familiar with the graves for Elbert Dewitt (E.D.) and Martha Ann Travis. Been to the cemetary many times. This is the same cemetary where my grandparents, James Walter and Addie Travis, James Walter being Elbert and Ann's (she went by Ann) son, are buried, as well as their other son, Elbert Dewitt Travis. I have photos of all of them as well. I have copies of the pension application for Ann on Elbert's service.

Elbert Dewitt, as you said, entered the war at the age of 17, which during that time was not considered the same as we consider a 17 year old today, by still only 17. At some point he was apparently captured and did not really see much action to my knowledge, and as noted, was pardoned after 9 months of service.

What's interesting and one fact that I have never been able to determine, is that he entered a private and left a private. His position of leadership with the KGC refer to him as Colonel Elbert Dewitt Travis. I can only surmise that this is a rank that the KGC would have given him. Any thoughts???

[Texas Truth Teller]

Manhunter,
I think credible records indicate that Elbert was a private in the CSA. The KGC was a secretive organization that left few if any records. Is there something in writing, other than stories, that confirms Elbert was referred to as Colonel? Interesting stories of unusual events often become embellished as they are repeated.

[manhunter]

I have no written records to indicate him being ranked as a colonel other than referenced in books and internet stories and records.