592 Belden Ave.
Camarillo, CA 93010-6510
I began my search for only one person, the person who had provided my grandmother the
opportunity to tell wondrous tales of the things he did, while trying to reach his home, after he
escaped from confinement. She told of his tribulations in the war, too. (That story is in the web
site http://gen.1starnet.com/civilwar/pirtlerj.htm). During my four or more years, I have become
acquainted with over 1,000 others. Me and my trusty PC have been very busy, with the gracious
help of many others.
I needed to write about the other two brothers, individually, as I had R. J. and Isaac. (Isaac's
story is on the web site http://gen.1starnet com/civilwar/pirtlei.htm). I had spent much time trying
to separate the records. I had decided to give up and just write about them jointly. I hoped as I
had the opportunity to review more records, I would be able to revise that writing into two
documented parts, one for James B. Pirtle, and one for Jenkins B. Pirtle. I have had a change of
mind, and have decided to separate, what I previously wrote, into two parts. So many records are
not completely documented to either brother, but I have separated them to the best of my
judgement. I hope it will create a curiosity in some interested person, who will see that separating
those records, is truly a great challenge, and be able to challenge my assumptions.
In this writing, I will not review, in detail, many of the other family members, with the exception
of a brief history. I will record what I know of their wives and offspring. One of the reasons for
my dilemma is that I found I have 24 Pirtle relatives with the first initial of "J." I am so pleased
that it appears that only two of those have a second initial of "B." The second reason for my
confusion is that some of their few records, have been credited to the initial's J. B., which could be
either of them.
From the Lamar CSA records information, I have surmised that the four Pirtle brothers went to
war together and with them was, at least one friend, a neighbor, Henry R. Miller. So there were
five in the group, I am sure they were not unique. The friend lived in the farm next to their family,
his records show he was only 14 and Jenks was 18. They went willing to participate in a horrible
war. Besides the agony of battle, everyone was very ill (in and out of hospitals). Even though
most of the five were ill some of the time, later records show that four of them returned, and that
was a very good percentage.
My Pirtle family originated in Kentucky in the 1700s, as various of the older members were born
there before the turn of the century. Those years were in turmoil, the Civil War, but it was a time
of beginnings, too, when my great-great-grandfather, Isaac Newton Pirtle, Sr., was born there, in
1809. It was a time of many things but the most long lasting was the time of Audubon began his
research. Today with the magic of many cameras, his work is still admired, and his research was
flawless. It was also the beginning of American Art and its popularity, and political and social
mocking, as done by Inskeep and Bradford of Jefferson. Tecumseh was arguing for the "Indian
Puritanism." There were no "daily papers delivered" as we are privileged to have today, so the
people that traveled, went to the center of the town or village. There the news was posted, and
they listened, as someone read aloud to the group. Many could not read, I note from the census
data, that was true of members of my family, particularly the women.
The Pirtle families left KY before 1828, for TN. That was when Webster publishes a weighty
dictionary, it must have overwhelmed those who could not read, to see so much they did not
know. There is a record of Isaac Newton Pirtle, Sr. and Eunice Cunningham marriage in
Hardeman County TN on December 13, 1828. In 1829, one of America's early painters,
completed his art work of the Hudson Valley. Jenks' oldest brother, was the first child of Isaac
and Eunice. James B. Pirtle, Sr., was born in 1830 in TN. The next child was Robert Joseph
Pirtle, Sr., my great-grandfather, born there in 1832. That was a year when women's agony
began, in America. The beginning of our social pressures to be "Barbie Dolls," although it was
not referred to as such. The Journal of Heath reported that females were becoming flabby, when
they were taking piano lessons, doing needlework, and reading. The problem was credited to
having money and not being required to do difficult labor. I am sure that did not apply to many
of my family. They did work, hard work. Did you ever raise a family, on a farm when your
husband, and most of the other men were gone? Whom did the work? Did you ever watch a
group get a wagon ready for travel? Everyone is required to participate. By the time Robert was
four the family was traveling by wagon to Arkansas. That continued off, and on, for 20 years.
Texas was in revolution, but for some reason, my family was moving closer to it. Lucy Ann J.
Pirtle, was born in Arkansas in 1836. It was a good year for most people, who could not read,
McGuffey became a hit with his "Reader." It appeared to make reading easier for younger
children and others, and was in favor for years. It has been republished in the 20th century. The
rest of the children of that immediate, family was born in Arkansas, before the family migrated to
Texas. They were Isaac Newton Jr., born in 1840, Jenks B., born in 1841, Mary Elizabeth, born
in 43, Martha Mattie C., born in 1845, Allen T., born in 1849, and, Walter Jefferson, born in
1853. The family went from KY, in 1820s, to TN, then, in 1830s, went from TN to AR. They
remained there until the 1850s.
The year was 1854, Jenks was 13 years old, and in those times considered a farmer, and the first
grandchild was born in AR in 1854. She was named for her grandmother, Eunice with the middle
initial of P. She was the daughter of James B. Pirtle and his wife Mary C. Snider. Stephen Foster
composed the song, "Jeanie With the light Brown Hair" that year. I wonder if the family sang it
as they traveled. It is more likely they sang, "Barbara Allen." It is a sad song, and the people at
that time, and in that place, seemed to want the heart wrenching songs, that made one cry. More
interesting to my family, would have been the news of the trotting horse named, Flora Temple.
She became the fastest trotter in the country, even though she was 14 years old, and had many
owners. Jonathan Vielee bought her for $175.00 and she sold for $4,000.00. That was the social
climate (or should I say it was the ethnomethodology) in the era, in which the Pirtles moved to
Texas.
They arrived in Texas shortly before Eunice died (in 1857). The death date that is recorded in
TX, as April 12, 1857, is for the mother of the family, Eunice Cunningham Pirtle. She is buried in
the Forest Hill Cemetery, Center South section, in Lamar County, TX. Considering those two
records, the birth in AR in 1854, and the death in TX in 1857, it appears they arrived just in time
to get settled a bit before the Civil War began. They had about four years to obtain land, build,
and buy cattle, those were the things that most everyone else was doing.
Information, published by the Texas General Land Office, Texas, indicates that Texas officials
encouraged new land owners. They offered free land, called Head Rights, to attract families. The
records of head rights, show that a head of household was given more land then the single person,
without a family. Many came just for that land, to sell and gain profit from it. The Pirtles came to
stay. They are recorded in the 1880 Lamar County, TX, Census. I believe some of them moved
to OK, around the 1890 period, but some remained in TX.
Searching for land records is not a simple task. There were 406,000 land record abstracts. Not
only were new counties created, the boundaries of the various states and territories changed.
There was one county, Miller County that comprised most of Southeast Oklahoma and part of
Southwestern Arkansas. They were giving it to whoever arrived first, I wonder why they were
surprised that the Indian people were upset. The Native Americans had lived there for centuries,
and suddenly people were coming in, and acting as though they did not exist.
I have surmised, my Ancestor may not have had to move far, the last time. The lines of the states
moved, so perhaps the people did not have such long journeys to get to Texas. Some did not
move at all, Texas came to them.
There are records of property purchases, wills, court cases, and various other indications that the
family was prosperous. One indicates, that one member of the family the group purchased 336
horses and mules, and of 420 cattle. In today's prices that would be a considerable sum and the
land needed to sustain that herd would be large. That family would not be considered poor.
When the war began Jenkins B. Pirtle was still single, and so was his friend Henry R. Miller.
After the war, Jenks got married on 5 January 1866, and Henry got married six years later on 7
April 1872. At the start of the war they had no family, to hold them back from the fighting. They
were both living at home with their parents. Jenks' father, had lost his wife, in 1857, and had not
remarried.
This was the year of an exciting communication advance. In October that year, the first telegram
was sent across the continent. The message was sent from California to President Lincoln. It
must have affected the war in some dramatic way, but I wonder if it helped the everyday
serviceman. I doubt they knew anything about the event.
There is a record that Jenkins B. Pirtle enrolled in the 9th Texas Infantry 26 September, 1861 at
Sanders Creek, Lamar County, TX, under the command of James Hill. A statement, on the
Affidavit of Witnesses on his 2nd wife's Widow's Application for a Pension, confirms that Jenks B.
was in the Confederate Army, enlisted as a volunteer in the year 1861, in Captain James Hill
Company, and Sam Bell Maxey's regiment. It confirms that he served until the close of the war
1865, when they both received honorable discharges. The document is signed by H. (Henry) R.
Miller. Henry was the friend that 'joined up' in 1861 with the Pirtle brothers and is the brother of
Isaac Newton Pirtle's wife Mary. Isaac is a brother to Jenks, James, and R. J. Pirtle. Jenks named
his first son after Isaac (or the grandfather Isaac), which gave me three identical names in each of
the generations (the trouble one encounters when doing genealogical research).
Jenkins B. Pirtle was recorded as sick at Overton General Hospital, Memphis, TN on 2 May
1862. He was in the hospital again 21 June the next year, in Canton, MS. His older brother,
Robert J. Pirtle, was recorded as sick at Port Hudson, 6 May 1863. The other brother, Isaac
Newton Pirtle, Jr., was sick for a long time, July and August of 1864, he resigned due to hepatitis
and a bad heart. The medical records show that he had been sick for most of two years. James
N. (B) Pirtle was sick 1 May 1862 in Paris, his home. The conditions must have been very bad.
Illness was common, with the food they had to eat, and the swamps they fought in. Many were
sick each year, both at home and in the war. Could a flu virus have been raging like it does each
year now? Lincoln's son Willie died that year, the president's heart must have been heavy with
grief, for he worried about the war, and then the family tragedy surely compounded it.
An entry, credited to Jenkins B. Pirtle, of joining for duty in Fannin County, Texas, 1 August
1862 for 3 years of service, seems likely to fit the trail of James, also. The other brothers, and
Henry, have that date on their records for joining. I believe they all signed up for one year in the
beginning. The South was confident that they would win the war and return home in a short time.
When that was not evident, they were required to join for three years. James was not in service
for some period of time, but could have gone to another county, a few months being discharged
and later signed up again. Being relieved of duty 5 May 1862, and rejoined 1 August 1862, seems
plausible. At that time, I don't think they would have been reluctant to accept a trained person. I
have no documentation that supports my assumptions.
While there is no confirmation that James survived into the 1870s. The 1870 Census does record
his family. It indicates his wife appears to be a widow who was living with Jenks and his wife.
There is no record of James in that census or of being in the county, after the war. There are
many records that show Jenks lived into the 1900s. There are records of all the others returning
to Lamar County, TX, after the fighting was over. Brother James is not recorded anywhere, to
my knowledge.
Jenkins B. Pirtle was the younger brother, was listed as 20 years old, when he joined as a Fifer,
assigned to Company E, 9th Texas Infantry. Had the records all contained the ages, it would have
been the resolution, to my attempt, to separating the records of the two brothers. Another record
indicates a J. B. Pirtle age 20, a musician (Fifer) was discharged, at Corinth, MS, on May 5, 1862,
and he is recorded as 2nd Lt. in Co. B., and recorded as resigning on 15 July 1863. It is difficult to
believe that a Fifer would be a commissioned officer, but there is an entry that Jenkins B. Pirtle,
2nd Lt., Co. B., age 21 (James would have been 31) appears on the Company Muster-in Roll for
Burnet's Battalion Texas Sharp Shooters.
Then the mystery of which record is of which brother, thickens as there are "present for duty
records" into the 1863s. If they were both relieved of duty, then they (or one) must have joined
again. That is indicated by the appointment as commissioned officer 1 August 1862 and another
record that is credited to Jenks, the enrollment on 26 September 1861, at Camp Jackson, Lamar
County, TX, for three years of service, this shows on other brother's records, too. No rank or
rating was given on that record, to make it certain the identity of this person. One brother was out
of the service on 5 May 1862, and 15 July 1863, the other on 8 May 1862. The entry for the
Officer's Commission was credited to Jenkins and so was the 3-year enrollment.
In my review of the correspondence, I note, that J. B. is used throughout. The letter requesting
leave, for recovery of health, was requested by J. B. Pirtle, 2nd Lt. The answer was addressed to
Lt. J. B. Pirtle. The surgeon's letter referred to a 2nd Lt. J. B. Pirtle. It appears that one brother is
in the 9th Texas Infantry and the other is in the 1st Battalion of TX Sharp Shooters. The names are
not clear, by the consistent use of the initials, only. It was common in the South to use initials for
everyone. One of my friends was called J. B. all through our school years. I never knew his full
name. I see him at class reunions, this experience makes me want to know what the J. B. stands
for, I must ask him.
The war was over, and war Jenks returned to Lamar County, TX and to the 1870 records. The
census shows that he is married to Susan F. McCowan 5 January 1866. Even in that record, he is
listed as J. B. Pirtle. It is on page 47 of the Marriage records of 1841 - 1874. They had met as
young people. She lived with her family, in the home of her stepfather John Ward, in residence
17-17, recorded in the Lamar County, TX 1860 Census. There is one census page between them.
He was in the household of his father #39-39. Jenks and Susan had three children: Mary A. born
1867, Isaac N. born 1868, Susan J. born in 1870, and J. I. W.(a male) born 1869. They are
recorded as living in the residence near to his father Isaac, Sr. Jenks, his family, and James B's
family lived at number 234-234 next door to the Boot Maker named Thomas Johns. His father
lived at 231-23, and his younger brother, A. T., and his family lived at 232-232. His other
brother, Isaac, Jr., lived at the residence numbered in the Census as 172-172. Jenks' friend Henry
was living with his father and family, again, at their residence, the Census recorded as 175-175.
Next door to them at 174-174 lived Jenks' older brother, Robert J. Pirtle and his family. Two
years later Henry married Rebecca Price. So the group was together after the war, living in
relatively a close neighborhood.
There is a record of Jenks' remarriage, at the age of 55. There must have been a divorce, as his
first wife Susan did not die until 1908. His 2nd wife Mary Elizabeth Wilkerson, had been married
before, to James Smart, in 1877 and to James E. Vessels, in 1885. She applied for Jenks' pension
in April 1924, the pension was issued and the number is 39936 on the document. There is a
statement within that document from the Comptroller's Department, State of Texas, Austin, TX.
It certified that J. B. Pirtle did serve in Capt. James Hill's Company, Sam Bell Maxey's Regiment,
9th Texas Infantry.
Attached to the pension is a document from the War Department, adjutant General's Office,
Washington, D.C., dated May 23, 1924. It certifies that J. B. Pirtle was enrolled September 26,
1861 at Sanders Creek, Lamar C. Texas, for 12 months and was discharged May 5, 1862, at
Corinth, Mississippi, for disability; musician, Co. E, 9th Texas Inf., CSA, Captain James Hill's Co.,
Maxey's Reg't Texas Inf., signed by Lutz Wahl, Brigadier General, Acting, The Adjutant General.
Jenks died August 17, 1912 in the home of J. L. Smart, his stepson. It was a very different world
he lived in after the war, it had changed so much, now the government was talking of statehood
for Arizona and New Mexico. The land of cactus, sand and sage brush, that was only purchased,
so the Nation could have a passage to California. Japan sent us Cherry Blossom Trees the year
Jenks died; I wonder if Jenks would have cared.
As I reviewed the records and continually saw the name General Samuel Bell Maxey. I began to
wonder who this person was, besides a military officer. I found the record in the Census of Lamar
County, TX., 1860. He is listed as, S. B. Maxey, age 35, a Lawyer, in residence 8-8. He lived in
the City, Precinct number 6. He was married to Matilda, there were no children, but an older
man. The value of this household was 10,000/2,000,
The older man was, Rice Maxey, age 60, father of Sam, who lived in Maxey household and there
was an older woman, listed as Lucy P. Maxey, who was the wife of Rice Maxey. Listed, after
Rice Maxey, is the note "lawyer 3,000/4,300 in trust for minor heirs 6,500".
In the 1870 records S. B. was still a lawyer in residence 148-162. The value of his property was
35,000/8,000. There was a female, age 13 living in the household, named Dora Maxey, an
adopted daughter. His net worth increased, significantly, in the ten years between the two
censuses. I guess lawyers survived during the war with wealth in tact. That was not true of many
other people.
The father now lives in another residence 247-275, with a woman, I presume is his second wife,
age 55. I checked the Marriage records of 1841 - 1874 and there was a marriage, of Rice Maxey,
and Sarah W. Fowler, on 18 August 1869. There are numerous individuals listed as black within
that household. He is listed as a retired lawyer worth 2,500/100. His worth was significantly
reduced.
Which brother was the officer? Were they both officers, is not yet determined? I believe,
whichever one was the officer, he was a very ill person. The fact that James B. Pirtle has no
record, after 1870, has led me to believe it is he. Jenks B. Pirtle, lived such a full and long life.
He had two wives, four children, the number I do not know stepchildren, and he died in 1912,
when he was 70 years old. The statements, within the Pension records, recorded two of his step
children, a step daughter, named Mrs. Daisy Howard, and a stepson named J. L. Smart. Those
records did not indicate he was ever commissioned, but did say he was discharged because of
disability, but those records were for J. B. Pirtle, not Jenks B. Pirtle. The mystery remained to the
end. Everyone ill from that war, even those that were left at home. There was little medical care
in those days, but it is hard to believe he was ever that ill. Whichever way it was, they are both
gone to history, but will remain forever in our hearts, for he is one of my ancestors, and my Great
Granduncle, of whom I am very proud. Especially proud, to know there was a musician in the
family, not only a CSA War veteran.
My References:
Various files of the Lamar County Genealogical Society.
Various publications of the Lamar County Genealogical Society.
The 1870 Lamar County, TX Federal Census Compiled by Mary Claunch Lane.
Death and Cemetery Records of Lamar County, TX by Ron Brothers.
Fannin County, TX Cemetery Inscription Vol I by Dean and Patricia Newhouse.
Chronicle of America - Publisher Jacques Legrand, Editorial Director Clifton Daniel.
In Appreciation to Wally Brown for editing, The Lamar County Genealogical Society and Ron
Brothers for the opportunity to relate the information I have gathered about my family.
by:
Billie Galyean Brown
e-mail: billieb@fishnet.net
Other information is as follows:
Pirtle, Jenkins B.
Born: 5 Jan 1842 Died: 17 Aug 1912 Married: 14 Mar 1897
Buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Honey Grove, Fannin County, TX.
J. B. Pirtle is listed in draft copy of General Samuel Bell Maxey, C. S. A. A Military Biography,
by Louise Horton, Granger, TX, 1984, p. 197.
Jenkins B. Pirtle
Fifer, Co. E., 9th Texas Infantry
J. B. Pirtle, Fifer, Co. E age 20, is found in the Compiled Service
Records of the 9th Texas Infantry on microfilm at the National Archives.
Service Record:
Pirtle, J. B. (20)- left sick at Overton General Hospital, Memphis, TN,
2/5/62, as musician (Fifer).
Record in Burnet's Battalion
Jenkins B. Pirtle, 2nd Lt., Co. B, age 21, appears on Company Muster-in Roll, Burnet's Battalion
Texas Sharp Shooters, 1st Battalion Texas Sharp Shooters, National Archives Microfilm Roll 323,
#261.
Roll dated Camp Jackson, Lamar Co., TX, 10 Dec 1862, joined for duty at Fannin Co., TX, 1
Aug 1862 for 3 years of service. (His 9th Texas Infantry Card shows he enrolled 26 Sep 1861 at
Sanders Creek, Lama Co., TX under James Hill.)
Roll dated Dec - Feb 1863: present. Roll dated Mar - Apr 1863: absent, in General Hospital
Jackson, Miss., since 27 Apr 1863.
Roll dated May-Jun 1863; absent, sick in Canton, Miss., 21 Jun 1863.
Roll dated Jul - Aug 1863: resignation accepted 15 Jul 1863.
Jenkins B. Pirtle, 2nd Lt. Co B, 1 Battalion Sharp Shooters Texas appears on a Register containing
Rosters of commissioned Officers, Provisional Army Confederate States. Date of appointment 1
Aug 1862; resigned 15 Jul 1863: Confederate Archives, Chapter 1, File No. 87, page 311.
Voucher No. 3, paid 15 Aug 1863 for `1 Jul - 15 Jul 1863, paid $38.70.
Headquarters Department Mississippi and East Louisiana
Jackson, Miss., April 28, 1863
The following named officers are granted a leave of absence for the periods of time annexed to
their respective names, based upon Surgeon's's certificate of disability: 2nd Lt. J. B. Pirtle....10
days, by order of Lt. Gen. Pemberton
Letter in file:
Hd. Qtrs Co. B
Burnet's Battalion
Sharp Shooters, Gen Maxey's
Brigade. Port Hudson
April 31st 1863
Major Jas. Burnet
I hereby most respectfully request that I be granted the privilege of going to the country for the period of ten days for the purpose of recovering my health as I feel that quietness and a change of dict. (Sic) would be the means of restoring my health.
Yours Respectfully
J. B. Pirtle 2nd Lt.
Approved
C. Z. Bridge
Captain Commanding
Co. B, Burnet's Battalion
Lt. J. B. Pirtle of the 1st Battalion of Texas Sharp Shooters, having applied for a certificate on
which to ground an application for leave of absence, I do hereby certify that I have carefully
examined this officer, and find that he suffers from diarrhea, has been so troubled for the period of
two months, and that as consequence thereof he is in my opinion unfit for duty. I further declare
my believe that he will not b able to resume his duties in a less period than 10 days and that a
furlough is absolutely necessary for his recovery.
Dated Port Hudson, La April 21, 1863
Wm. E. Dailey
Asst. Surgeon
Burnet's Battalion
Approved and
Respectfully Forwarded
Jas. Burnet
Major C. S. A.
Commanding Battalion
Head Qrs. 1st Batt. S. Shooters
Gen'l S. B. Maxey's Brigade
In Camp near Livingston, Miss.
June 26th 1863
Captain
My health having been so bad for over two months that I have not been able to discharge the
duties of my office, and my present condition giving no hope that I will be able for duty for
weeks, and perhaps months to come, I think it justice both to the Government and myself, to
tender my resignation.
I therefore with regret hereby tender my resignation as Junior 2nd Lieut. of Co. B, 1st Texas
Battalion S. Shooters, Gen'l Maxey's Brigade. Most respectfully soliciting that the same may be
accepted and forwarded by you through the proper channels, for final acceptance by the proper
authority.
I would further state that I am not in arrears with the C. S. Government on any account whatever,
and to more clearly show to all concerned my condition and the nature of the disease causing my
disability, I have requested of the Surgeon to annex his Certificate to this my resignation.
Very Respectfully
You Obt. Servant
J. B. Pirtle
Capt. C. Z. Bridge
Comd. Co. B.
1st Texas Batt. S. S.
I certify that I have carefully examined the said 2nd Lt. J. B. Pirtle of Captain C. Z. Birdge's company and find him incapable of performing the duties of a soldier because of chronic diarrhea from which he has suffered for a period of more than two months, confining him to his bed the greater portion of the time, affecting hi health, strength, activity & c, to that extent he is unable to perform the lightest duty or endure the least amount of exercise. The disease was contracted in camp and in my opinion the cause of disability is attributable to the vacicitudes(?) of camp life,
having formerly been discharged for disability as an enlisted man.
Wm E. Daily, Asst. Surgeon
1st Battn. Texas Sh. Sh.
Accepted...forwarded...C. Z. Bridge
Accepted...forwarded...Jas. Burnet
Mrs. J. B. Pirtle, wife of Jenk B. Pirtle, pension 39936 approved. They married 14 Mar 1897 in
Lamar County. J. B. died 17 Aug 1912 in Lamar Co.
Jenkins B. Pirtle is buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Honey Grove, Fannin Co., TX. His
tombstone is inscribed born 5 Jan 1842 and died 17 Aug 1912.
Information from Dianne M. Ladd, Bakersfield, California, 23 Oct 1998, email
<Dladd623@aol.com>: J. B. Pirtle (Jenks) was born 5 January 1842, in Arkansas to Isaac
Newton Pirtle Sr. and his wife, Eunice. Nothing is known of his early years in Arkansas nor of his
family's move to Lamar County, Texas. J. B. is living in his father's household in the 1860 Lamar
County, Texas federal census records.
Jenks enlisted in Company E, 9th Infantry, CSA on 26 September 1862, Sanders Creek, Lamar,
Texas. He served for the duration of the War. According to the widow's pension papers, Jenks
enlisted as a 'Fifer', which suggests he played the fife for his regiment.
After his return to Lamar County, Texas he married his first wife, Susan F. McCown, daughter of
John and Mary Guest McCowan, Susan was born 7 January 1846, in Lamar County, Texas. She
died 22 July 1908, and is buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Honey Grove, Texas. Beside her is
buried her daughter, Mary Alice Pirtle.
Jenks and Susan Pirtle had four children that we know of, they are as follows:
(1) Mary Alice Pirtle born 24 September 1866, Lamar County, Texas; died 27 January 1890, Lamar County, Texas;
(2) Isaac N. Pirtle born circa 1868, Lamar County, Texas;
(3) J. I. W. Pirtle born 1869, Lamar County, Texas; and
(4) Susan J. Pirtle born 1870, Lamar County, Texas.
Some time between 1890 and 1897, Jenks and Susan McCown Pirtle divorced because Jenks
married a second time on 4 Marcy 1897, Lamar County, Texas to Mary Elizabeth Wilkerson. She
was born in 1850, Marion County, Alabama. Mary Elizabeth had been married a first time on 19
November 1885, Lamar County, Texas to James E. Vessels. James died in 1891, and is buried in
Oakwood Cemetery, Honey Grove, Texas.
Jenks B. Pirtle died 17 August 1912, Lamar county, Texas and is buried beside his second wife,
Mary Elizabeth, in Oakwood Cemetery, Honey Grove, Texas. Mary Elizabeth died in 1926.
©Ron Brothers and Billie Galyean Brown, 1999, All Rights Reserved.
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