COUTS
CALIFORNIA'S COUTS COUSINS
VOLUME 2 NOVEMBER DECEMBER JANUARY NUMBER 6
1998 -1999
A Quarterly Newsletter for the
Descendants of the Couts Family
WELCOME- It is the goal of this newsletter
to create interest in and share the research
for the Couts (pronounced K-outz) and Allied
Family genealogy. It can only be written with
the cooperation of each family member. We
encourage each of you to send in your family
group sheets and enter data as far back as you
can find. The information that you find within
its covers will be as "true" as we can prove. We
gladly accept articles, photos, genealogy lines,
and family stories. MORE FAMILY
INFORMATION IS NEEDED TO CONTINUE
PRODUCING THE NEWSLETTERS.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A LETTER FROM JAMES ARMSTRONG ~
Sept. 1, 1998 Dear Mrs. Evans, In the
fresh of an early summer morning I went
for a walk. My journey could have carried
me along several paths but not giving too
much thought I trod down the hill and by
Tennessee's many cedar trees. Anyway, the
air was crisp and God's flowers were blooming,
filling the atmosphere with the thought "it's
wonderful to be alive". Walking slowly and
meditating about how nature must have
looked to John and Leah when they came to
this part of God's earth. I feel they saw
Mother Nature as I have, spreading her best
array of colors on every bloom and shrub.
My walking carried me near a familiar
place, John Couts, Sr., and Leah's old home site.
The corner rocks of the house's foundation once
buried in the ground have been removed and the
site placed into an open field. Pieces of glass and
crock may still be seen scattered around near the
house location. Many years ago we were cultivating
the field and a Spanish dime was found with a hole
in the rim. This money piece created much
conversation and we finally concluded it may
have belonged to one of Mr. John's slaves.
The cemetery is located on a small knoll about
one hundred yards beyond the old Couts home. When
I was a lad, the chestnut split rail fence and small
wooden gate around the cemetery had rotted and fallen
down. Quoting older persons, who said, "the rail fence
placed there by Mr. Stark had been the only enclosure
against unwanted intruders".
Standing in the open field, I positioned myself
as near I remember to where the huge elm tree once
stood. I recall its umbrella limbs stretching outward
and upward to form a cathedral type ceiling of green
leaves. In the passing of time the limbs
of the lower part of the trunk had been
removed thus encouraging
the upper limbs to grow stronger.
The ground under the elm
tree was covered with a carpet mat
of green English ivy and during the
early springtime yellow blooming
buttercups showed through the
green by outlining John and
Leah's graves.
To the right side of the gate
a pink rambling rose grew, seldom
did it ever have more than three or
four blossoms each year.
On the boundary of the
backside of the cemetery were
several small trees, each covered
in a wild honeysuckle vine. Its
long thin stems were intertwined
on the small trees forming
ornamental designs only nature
could have devised. My lasting
impression of that vine was how
its red blossoms hung in clusters
and spread a delightful aroma
throughout the summer.
Sometime after Jackson's
parents died he placed headstones
and markers to their graves.
Those rocks were the slab-type,
that is, about three inches thick
by three feet tall. They were
unpolished Tennessee marble
and had become dark from long
years of weather, but the names
and dates were visual.
By 1857, Jackson, wife
and children had died, and it
was agrees before their death
that their good friend and
relative Jo. C. Stark would
but the farm. During all of
the sickness of Jackson's children,
Mr. Stark supported them
financially and when they
all were dead he placed head
and foot markers to each
grave. After becoming owner
of the 807-acre farm he
ordered a split rail fence to
be built around the cemetery.
Throughout his ownership
(1857-1889) he continued
to see to the cemetery's upkeep.
In 1935, the huge elm
tree was cut and the
stumps removed along with
all the makers. The makers
were buried in a gully some
where on the farm. Once
again the cemetery was placed
into an open field
and cultivated. Today, one
headstone remains,
that of Albert W. Couts,
1837-1857.
I know this cemetery
is not holy ground
but a place designed by man
for his rest until
the coming of Christ. Recent
laws were passed
in Tennessee protecting the
desecration of
cemeteries. Standing at
this location, I formed
a mind picture of how
relatives with tears of grief,
standing on this very spot
saying good-bye to a
dear departed one.
The Couts descendants
may be assured
as long as the Armstrong's
or their descendants
own this land the exact spot
of the cemetery will
be marked.
Your friend, James Armstrong
P.S. Thanks for noting my stroke
two months ago. I am improving,
hoping to completely recover.
~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~
CHRISTOPHER "CHRISLEY" WADE COUTS
Aug 19, 1998 Dear Barbara, I am sorry it's taken
me so lone to answer your letter and say
"Thank You" for all of the information
that you sent. I can't believe you
had all the information on my
Couts Family.
My mother's health has been
going since March and now she
is not expected to live, so we
brought her home from the hospital
yesterday as her last request. So,
needless to say I've been rather
busy, and scatter-brained. I
wanted to get a note to you
and tell you how thrilled I
was to receive all of the Couts
family material. To answer
some of your questions,
No- I didn't have a computer
but home to have one real soon.
I do have excess to a computer
and the internet. I will try to
e-mail you. No, on the
information, you sent on
"Christopher Wade
Chrisley Couts" whose wife
was Evaline Catron.
(I have a lot of information
on my Catron line)
If you are interested in adding
it to the Couts line.
Wade and Evaline Couts
daughter Susan Emily
Couts (not correct on your
paper it says C. for a
middle name.) [I WOULD YES]
Susan Emily Couts
married William Daniel
Whitlow, their only child
was William Wordsworth
Whitlow and my great
grandfather. Susan died
when William was 9
months old. William was
raised by Wade and
Evaline Couts until she,
Evaline died, when
William was about 5 years
old. Then, Susan's
sister, Mary Emiline Couts
helped raise William
Whitlow until she married
Wesley Penny.
In 1882, William Whitlow,
along with Wade Couts,
and his son, Daniel Couts
and daughter Mary
Eveline Couts Penny with
her husband Wesley
Penny and their son Elmer,
headed out west,
on the Oregon Trail from
Nebraska, stayed in
Washington Territory for
1 year. Mary and Wesley
Penny and son went on to
Portland Oregon and settled there.
Wade Couts with son Daniel and
grandson William Whitlow went
back to Nebraska.William lived
with his grandfather and Uncle Dan
Couts until he married in Missouri
and came out to Idaho in 1899
with his Uncle Dan Couts and
William's wife and two daughters
and Williams in-laws. They settled
in Washington Co. Idaho family
had come on ahead before they
had arrived. William later became
County Commissioner for Adams
Co. Idaho ,then State Representative
then State Senator of Idaho.
Uncle Dan Couts died in Council
Idaho, 19 Dec. 1935, he never
married. I also have pictures of
Wade Couts, his wife Evaline,
their daughter Susan and their
son Daniel. I can try to get copies
for you Do you want copies of pedigree
charts and family groups sheets?My
question to you is who submitted the
information to you on all of the
Christopher Chrisley Couts families?
Did you find it yourself? In the 1860 census of
Nemaha Co. Nebraska I found
my Wade Couts with
his family it listed their son
as Chrisley, and I
thought then, that was a
different name.I also noticed
on the sheet you sent on Christopher
Chrisley Couts JR. their son
(my gt, gt, gt grandfather)
Christopher Wade Christley
Couts, was born in Indiana,
the 1860 census said that also)
but the rest of his brothers and
sisters were born in KY, MO, and TN.
They sure jumped around from
state to state. When
traveling wasn't that easy.
I am very excited to find
out my Couts line, but I will
need to verify the information.
I would like to send you money
or stamps along for
cost of the newsletters.
(THANKS, I WOULD RATHER
HAVE INFORMATION) Would
you care if I called you
sometime, I have your
phone number, but I will
give you mine, I would like
to talk to you.Right now I am
trying to prove my Catron line for
the DAR, and really needed
the Couts information
to complete this line. Do you
have any copies of marriage
records or any family records
on the Christopher Wade Couts
family. I live in the most
N.E. corner of Calif. Nevada
is 5 miles to the east
and Oregon is 36 miles to
the North We have friends
that live in Yuba City.
Maybe we can get the
chance to meet sometime.
I again apologize for the
delay of my answer back
to you. Hope to hear from
you again soon. Thank
you again Barbara,
Sincerely, Becky Hall
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tennessee State Library and Archives Historical
and Genealogical Information
http: //www.state.tn.us/sos/statelib/pubsvs/ww1robe1.htm
TENNESSEE WORLD WAR I VETERANS : ROBERTSON COUNTY (PART 1)
Last Name First Name Age or DOBBirth PlaceNotes Page
Couts Allen 23 Springfield, TN 18
Couts Elvis 1893 Springfield, TN 18
Couts Johnie 1894 Springfield, TN 18
INTERNET QUERIES AND COMMENTS- "E-MAIL GRAB BAG"
Subj: Bird/Byrd Date: 98-07-08 06:56:34 EDT From:
gtodd@edge.net (Glenda M. Todd) Have just been looking
over your wonderful web page and wondered if you had
any information on a Thomas Bird who possibly married
a Jane Counts. This Thomas Bird died in Robertson Co.,
TN in 1805 and was always associated with Valentine
Choate and other Choat/Shoat families. We think this
Thomas and his brother, Francis, were the ones in
Pittsylvania Co., VA around 1767 with some Choats.
Noticed where several Couts married Byrds. Thanks. Glenda
Subj: Family of Bavester and Elizabeth Barton Date: 98-07-
Deming@Together.Net (Lynette Deming) I was thrilled
to find the information submitted by Jerry Barton. My
name is Lynette Barton Deming, If you will look at #137
William Henry Barton and Martha P Gilliam with no
known issue, you will now learn that they did have
children. I am their great grand daughter. My grandmother,
Bettie Alexa Barton was born December 17, 1884 in
Missouri and died in Florida in 1950. I don't know the
dates of birth of her brothers and sisters, but I do
know their names: Edith, Emma, Zachary, and
Walter. I am sure that this is where I fit, because
my grandmother told me that she was descended
from Greenberry, (Berry) Barton. My grandmother,
Bettie Alexa Barton went to Saint Louis, Missouri
to study nursing and met and married my grandfather,
Martin F. Kouri, a medical student from Lebanon. They
had four children, John Kouri, Barton Kouri, Elizabeth
Kouri (my mother), and Helen Kouri. My mother,
Elizabeth had two children, myself and my sister
Kay Deming. If you wish more detail on my cousins,
who are also directly descended from William Henry
Barton, please let me know. I left out one more child
of William Henry Barton and Martha P Gilliam, another
daughter, Grace. I have these names from conversations
with my grandmother when she was still alive and also
from talking with older living relatives.
Subj: Couts Family Tree Date:98-07-14 From:transed@televar.com
(Debra Latimer) Hi, I have been doing "some" research
into my family: Couts. My grandmother was Elorea Couts
born in Canada and came to the U.S. as "Baby Girl Couts".
Her sisters were: Ruth and Etta Couts who were
considerably older than her. Their father was Carl R. Couts
and mother, Ada M. Goodrich. My mother (Dolores E. Fairchild,
Allstott and now, Norton) has been doing more extensive Couts
family research with references to Indiana, etc. I
accessed the web page and retrieved LOTS of information
that I will forward to my mother. Would it be possible to
obtain the newsletters? I tried printing the information,
but the margins were cut-off? Please let me know.
Thank you. Debra Latimer
Subj: Re: Couts Family Tree Date: 98-07-14 transed@televar.com
Hello again, I don't know if the information is relevant,
but I am forwarding this to my mom since she has done
extensive Couts genealogy. Like you said, maybe there
is another "line" out there? We shall see! I did not see
any familiar names in the data I retrieved from the
internet, but what caught my eye was the Indiana connection,
etc. However, my mother has more information regarding
names, birthdates, places, and so forth.
Thanks for responding. D. Latimer
Subj: Birds Date: 98-07-15 17:40:37 EDT From: DennisC639
Hi, Barb - I noticed on the Couts page you have added
my branch of the Bird/Wilson family. Seems funny to
see your own name and those of your family's on the
big web in the sky. Need to mention that my mother,
Junietta Williams (daughter to Sarah Ellen Wilson,
who is dtr. of Betty Ann Bird and James Wilson) was
married (1) Ernest Smiley and (2) Clyde Warwick.
Mother and Ernest had one daughter, Betty Jane
Smiley Warwick, who married John E. Pickering
and had children and grandchildren. My father was
Clyde Warwick, so if you can rearrange Betty Jane
Smiley Warwick from being his wife and make her
and her family my mother's first and only child with
Ernest Smiley I would appreciate it. I can see where
this might be confusing, as my half-sister Betty went
by the maiden name of Warwick (rather than Smiley).
My mother and dad had ten kids beginning with Robert
Glenn and ending with me, Shirley Ann Warwick.
Sorry to be so much trouble . . I am just sorry that I
probably didn't make this line of descent clear. There
is no hurry, and don't worry about it a whole lot anyway.
Sure appreciate all you do for us. Thanks, Ann Chesshir
Subj Barton genealogy 137 Date: 98-07-18 13:05:16
EDT From: deming@together.net (deming) It was
wonderful to see the Barton genealogy. It was
wonderful for me to fill many gaps in my connection
to the Bartons. First off, #137 William Henry Barton
and Martha P. Gilliam did have children. They are
my great grand parents. My grandmother, Bettie
Alexa Barton was born December 17, 1884 and died
in 1950. I don't know the dates of birth of her siblings,
but I do know their names: Edith, Emma, Zachary,
and Walter. Bettie Alexa went to St Louis to study
nursing and there met my grandfather, Martin Kouri,
a medical student from Beirut, Lebanon. He remained
in America, and they had four children: John, Barton,
Elizabeth (my mother), and Helen Kouri. My name is
Lynette Barton Deming and I have a sister, Kay Ball
Deming. John Kouri had no children, but Barton Kouri
and Helen Kouri did have children. I would really like
to get in touch. My e mail address is deming@together.net.
It is interesting that some of my grand mother's civil war
stories are confirmed in the genealogies. She said that
her grandfather had 2 brothers, one of whom fought for
the Union and the other the Confederacy in the Civil
War. She also said that a third brother was a pacifist
and hid out in a cave and that both the Confederate and
the Union brother would not shoot at each other as they
went to the cave to keep their brother hidden and supplied.
The existence of the pacifist brother, of course is not in
the history, but this makes me wonder if anyone else in
the family has heard this story. I am really delighted at
the information I have gotten and hope that you &Jerry
Barton will get in touch with me.
Subj: Cave Couts Page From: rick@erazone.com (Rick Erazo)
Hello, I found your page while researching Col. Cave Couts.
Allow me to make a recommendation: your web page is very
informative, but is difficult to read because of its center-alignment.
If the page were left-aligned, its readability would be enhanced.
Thank you for publishing an interesting article on Col Couts.
Would you happen to know how his first name of Cave came
about? Was there a Cave surname somewhere in his ancestry?
Regards
Subj: Re: Cave Couts Page Date: 98-08-19From:
lwilson@erols.com (Lynn Wilson) CC:
mclarenw@alaska.net (McLaren W.),
Barb, In reference to Rick Erazo's email,
the following might help -Nancy Johnson
married William Couts -Cave Johnson
Couts parents. Nancy's Brother was Cave
Johnson, congressman, Postmaster General
under Polk's administration, and President
of Bank of Tennessee. He was sponsor for CJC's
entry into West Point. Nancy's Father was Cave
Thomas Johnson (7/4/1766 - Mar 1821). He was
a Brigadier General in the Creek Nation Wars.
Supposedly he was named after Reverend Richard
Cave, who may have been a brother to Mrs.
Thomas Johnson's Mother. Hope you had a
good summer! ....Lynn
Subj: Cave Couts Date: 98-08-18 (Launa Kitros)
Barb, I checked www.gendex.com and here's
what I found re Cave Johnson. The CAVE-L
mailing list should provide the person who wrote
w/much info.Cave JOHNSON BORN: 15 Nov 1760,
Orange Co., VA D: 19 Jan 1850, Bullitsburg, Boone
Co. Ky M: Salley KEENE, 1781, M: Ann KEENE, 1782,
M: Elizabeth "Betsy" CRAIG, Children: 1.John Quaro
JOHNSON Separate Listing Cave JOHNSON M: Marian
SUBLETT, 1823, Children: 1.Sarah JOHNSON 2.Susan
JOHNSON 3.Frances JOHNSON 4.John JOHNSON
5.David JOHNSON Separate Listing Cave Johnson
Father: Thomas Johnson Mother: Mary "Polly" Noel
separate listing Cave Johnson Born: ABT 1756
Spouse: Elizabeth Craig b. 1756
Subj: Re: Couts From: ByronD6915 [Diana has been
writing to us about misinformation on our grandfather's
rock, being used as a headstone. We hope to place a
real stone there soon.] One more note: There is an
unidentified gravesite between Levi and my great-aunt
Nettie Lockwood. There's still only a marker in that spot,
it could be Hattie. There's not any apparent room on
the other side of Levi. (He's close to the fence.) Diana
Subj: Re: Couts Date: 98-08-12 From: (Bo Couts) Hi Sis
William Levi Couts died in 1907. Hattie married Ed
Schuster in 1909, died and was buried at Short Mt
cemetery in 1916. I think the cause was consumption.
They have the dates wrong on Levi's stone. Someone
probably guessed at the date when they put the stone
on the grave years later. Big Brother.
Subj: Re: Couts Date: 98-08-10 From: (Bo Couts)
Sis: I didn't know about the headstone markers,
but Uncle Doc, Larkin Caldwell Couts, Margaret and
gf William Levi Couts are all buried in Lona Cemetery
.the other stones could be gm Hattie Couts Shuster's
marker. She died around 1911 or so. William died
when dad was about 6 years old. This would be about
1908 or 1909. Uncle doc didn't have any children.
This is why the 4 kids were shipped from Indiana
to Arkansas by train when Sarah died, with
name tags and destination pinned to their
coats, to live with uncle doc. I think gm Hattie
married Schuster around 1909. Get as much
info as you can from her and maybe it will fill
in some blank spots. Either we or I have some
info about it from the group in San Diego, the
offspring from William Levi's sister.
Good luck Big Bro
Subj: Re: Couts Date: 98-08-16 11:51:30 EDT
From: ByronD6915 To: bevans@coutsfamily.com Great! The same
person or persons placed both headstones. In a few
weeks I should have a copy of the original cemetery
book. The lady who has possession of the book will
make me a copy. I'm hoping it will turn up some
more names that don't have head stones. Had you
known he was buried there already? I took pictures
of the headstones as soon as they're developed I'll
e-mail you copies. Diana
Subj: Couts Family Date: 98-09-06 11:16:59 EDT
From: arsearcy@gte.net ( Rachel Searcy) Wonderful site!
I have lost a "Benton Counts" from east Tennessee
early 1800's, and am seriously beginning to consider
if he might not have been a "Couts". The first, last,
and only trace of him was on a wagon train (of which
he was the 'master') going to southeastern Missouri
in 1810. His daughter became, in time, my 2nd great
grandmother. Her name in the marriage record is
"Rachel Counts" when she married Allen W. Holloman,
and her only daughter born in 1828 was named
"Rachel Counts Holloman".... but who knows
really how it started out?
Just wondering how often you have found the two
names mixed up? I only have time to look over
your first newsletter today, but will definitely get
back to devour all of your info! Rachel Searcy
Subj: Re: Barton genealogy 137 Date: 98-09-05
18:46:01 EDT From: deming@together.net (deming)
I note that Jerry Barton added the descendants of
William Henry Barton and Martha Gilliam. However,
I note a mistake. My mother, Elizabeth Kouri
married Joseph H. Deming, and thus my sister
and I are Lynette Barton Deming and Kay Ball
Deming. If Jerry wants to know birth dates of
my sister, myself, our marriages and children,
please let me know. In addition, I can supply
names and birth dates of my cousins. My Uncle,
John Kouri had no children. My Uncle Barton
Kouri had 3 children and my Aunt Helen Kouri
had 2 children. Tell Jerry that I still hope that
he will elect to correspond with me. Feel free to
share my e-mail address with him.
Subj: Couts/Bridgman Date: From: tgardner@asde.com
(Beverly Gardner) I found your site while I was
searching for 'Bridgman'. Would you please forward
the email address of the submitter of this line. I
know several of the family of William Barton Couts
and am related on the Bridgman line.
Subj: Arthur Couts From: genealau@sbjrhigh.sbceo.k12.ca.us
(Launa Kitros) Barb, I was looking for Choates and
found this. Just in case you don't have it. Was
on www.gendex.com. Launa Arthur COUTS
Family 1: 1.Mary A COUTS B: 5 Mar 1829
D: 22 SEP 1890, Logan, KY BUR: Sep 1890,
Logan, KY, Greenwood Cem. Father: Arthur
COUTS Family 1: Samson JOHNSON...(LLK:
Ancestor was from Robertson Co., TN) Samson
JOHNSON BIRTH: 19 OCT 1820 D: 12 JUL 1879,
Adairville, Logan, Ky BUR: Jul 1879, Logan, Ky,
Greenwood Cem Father: Joseph JOHNSON
Mother: Elizabeth CUTHBERT Ch. of Sampson
1.G W JOHNSON 2.Leah B JOHNSON B: 19 NOV 1850
D: 28 Jul 1895 There may be some info at
http://www.myged.com/db/page /jimwilks /16740
that you don't have....maybe not..Launa
Subj: John F. Couts Date: 98-09-02 15:31:58 EDT
From: genealau@sbjrhigh.sbceo.k12.ca.us
(Launa Kitros) John F. married twice? Tennessee
the Volunteer State 1769-1923: Volume 2 LAURIN
BRYAN ASKEW. page 693 On the 11th of November,
1887, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Askew to
Miss Florence Fleming, the adopted daughter of
John F. Couts. They have become parents of three
sons: L. B., Jr., John Couts, and Harley L. L. B., Jr.
, married Leisel Hoevel of Weisbaden, Germany.
John Couts married Barbara Barker, granddaughter
of Childs Barker, a prominent banker and farmer
of Christian county, Kentucky. John Couts is engaged
in farming in that county and he and his wife are
the parents of four children, Barbara, Laurin B. (III),
John Couts, Jr., and Peter M. Harley L. married
Norine Harrison, a daughter of a prominent and
honored old family of Robertson County. Both L. B., Jr.,
and Harley L. are veterans of the World War. The
elder son served under General Pershing, going
to France with the First American Expeditionary
Forces, and was attached to the Third Army Cavalry,
participating in the battles of Chateau Thierry and
St. Mihiel, and was gassed. Upon the signing of the
armistice he was transferred to Travis, Germany,
with the Army of Occupation and was later transferred
to Paris, where he was with [p.693] General Richardson,
who was a member of the Peace Council. At one time,
while on leave in England, L. B. Askew found the
name "Bryan Askew" on a tablet in
the First Scotch Presbyterian church in Trafalgar
Square, London, this name being listed as one of
the founders of the church. Harley L. Askew was
with the Thirtieth Tennessee Division which assisted
in breaking the Hindenburg line. He served with the
rank of sergeant major. Launa
Subj Bird droppings. From:genealau@sbjrhigh.sbceo.
k12.ca.us (Launa Kitros) Barb, I sent the following
message to the BIRD-L list cuz one of the BIG BIRD
researchers share tons of I thought he was going
to publish. Anyway, I gave the Dade Co., MO site
which links the John Bird lineage to your page.
Bill, Thank you for so graciously putting your
information on the NET. By your example on this
site and at other sites, you are getting the "flock"
out of the trees. Confusion abounds with regard
to some Bird/Byrd connections all along the east
coast. Perhaps the rest of us are being too protective
of our nests. Since I don't have a home page, my nest
has been on the Dade Co., MO GenWeb webpage
under Pioneers-John Bird and Nancy Couts
http: //www.rootsweb.com /~modade/dadefam.html
I have a big flock and would be happy to share details.
Launa
To: VAAUGUST-L@rootsweb.com From: Nance
nance@centuryinter.net Subj: VAAUGUST-D Dig V98 #16
Hello, My name is Wanda Nance and I have
just joined this digest. Has anyone found
any MINTONS in the 1700s in this county?
I have a PHILLIP MINTON who married in
1776 in Washington Co. Va. and died there
in 1805. Do not know where he was before
Washington Co. Va. Also do not know who
his parents were but believe his father
was JOHN MINTON who bought land in
Washington Co. Va. in 1781. PHILLIP is
supposed to have been born in Virginia.
I am looking for all MINTONS in Virginia
in the 1700s in the counties formed
BEFORE Washington Co.Va.[1777] was
formed. Wanda Nance
MINTON IMMIGRANTS (1) DAVID MINTON
arrived in Virginia in 1637 (2) WILLIAM
MINTON arrived in Barbados in 1654
(3) PHILLIP MINTON arrived in Virginia in 1657
(4) WILLIAM MINTON arrived in Barbados in 1659
(5) RICHARD MINTON arrived in Maryland in 1661
(6) ROLAND MINTON arrived in Virginia in 1663-1679
(7) EDWARD MINTON arrived in Virginia in 1666
(8) RANDOLPH MINTON arrived in Virginia in 1701
(9) JOSEPH MINTON arrived in Virginia in 1705 [Essex Co.]
(10) HENRY MINTON arrived in Vain 1705 [Essex Co]
(11) ANDREW MINTON arrived in Mass. in 1766 [Boston]
MINTON RESEARCHERS
(1) Wanda Nance [this is me] I am researching
Phillip Minton d. 1804 in Washington Co.Va.,
m. 1786 in Wash. Co.Va. Levina Watkins.
Had son Jacob b. in 1798 in Wash.Co.Va.;
m. in 1823 Sarah Snodgrass. They moved
to Claiborne Co.Tn. in 1842.EMail address:
nance@centuryinter.net
(2) Janet Cook researching Phillip Minton
d.1804 in Washington Co.Va., m.1786 in
Wash.Co.Va. Levina Watkins. Had son
Evan who moved to Lee Co.Va. bef. 1820.
EMail address: jcook45@airmail.net.
(3) James S. Rice researching Phillip Minton
above who's son Jacob b.1798 in Washington
Co.Va. m. Sarah Snodgrass. Jacob & Sarah's
son James b.1823 in Wash. Co.Va. m. Ellender
Herrell in 1847 Claiborne Co.Tn. James &
Ellender's Daughter Sarah b.1855 in Claiborne
Co.Tn. m. Samuel Griffin in 1878 in Claiborne
Co.Tn. EMail address: jsrice@clemson.edu.
(4) Jan McKee researching Phillip Minton above
whose Daughter Hannah Minton b.1788 in Wash.
Co.Va. m. Peter Little [rumor in Indian Ceremony
in Wash.Co.Va.] then married again in 1824 in
Morgan Co. Ky. where they moved.
Email address: Jessimine@aol.com
(5) Jane Ellis researching Ebenezer Minton
[Rev.War.] b.1760 New Jersey [says son Vardamon
in 1880 census] Ebenezer m. Elizabeth Fletcher
in 1786 New Jersey Ebenezer m. Elizabeth
Fletcher in 1786 in Wash.Co.Va. Their son
Isaac b. abt.1802, m. Mary Locke. Isaac & Mary's
son Joseph b.1824 in Lee Co. m. Elizabeth
Childers Joseph & Elizabeth's Daughter Nancy Jane
b.184in Tn. m. Joseph Benjamin Norman.
EMail address: sille1937@aol.com
(6) Sandy Hoffman researching Ebenezer Minton
above and Ebenezer & Elizabeth's son John Minton
b. abt.1795 in Lee Co.Va., m. Sarah Locke
b.1804/05., daughter Jennie Rowland Minton.
Also researching another John Minton b.
Va. abt.1827[ rumored from Russell Co.], m. Sarah
Reed b.1843 in Claiborne Co.Tn.; John & Sarah
Reeds son Robert Lydia[Lydie] b.1882.., Email
address: shoffm@tc3net.com
(7) Christina Young researching same
Mintons as Sandy Hoffman. EMail Address:
dwduck@earthlink.net
(8) Bruce A. Stewart researching Effie
Minton b. abt.1888 in Ky.[rumored to be
part Cherokee], m. James Franklin Smith.
EMail address: Coralkiss@aol.com.
(9) Sandra Williams researching John Minton
whose daughter Rebecca Frances b.1836 in
Lynchburg, Bedford Co.Va., m. William T. M.
Dryden. EMail address: sandi@madnet.net.
(10) Sandra H.Lewis researching Charles
Minton and his son Lloyd Wingate Minton
both from Va. and N.C.;
EMail address: SLewis4928@aol.com
(11) Nancy Barbieux researching Simon
Minton b.1765 in Campbell Co.Va.; m.
Sarah Roach. Simon moved to Charlotte
Co.Va. by 1810 then moved to Smith Co.
Tn. abt.1912.
12) Pamela War White researching
John Minton b.1831 in Ireland m.
Julia Ormond. moved to Grand Rapids,
MI.; John & Julia daughter Anne Jane
b.1865 in Grand Rapids, MI.; m.
Thomas William Ward in 1892. EMail address:
Hunbun@aol.com. [ I'm jealous
of this one I can't get my Mintons
out of Wash.Co.Va.]
(13) Phyllis Vaquera researching
Samuel Joseph Minton b. South
Carolina. m. Amanda Luella Roberson
b. S.C. and daughter Martha Ann
[Mattie] Minton. EMail address:
PVaquera@aol.com.
(14) Diana Reints researching Jesse
Minton [Minter] b. maybe Va. lived
in S.C.[Rev.War]. EMail add. :murk@pe.net
(15) Sonia Kinback researching Phillip
Minton d.1804 in Washington Co.Va.; m.
in 1786 Levina Watkins in Wash.Co.Va.;
They has son Jacob b.1798 Wash.Va.;
Sarah Snodgrass in 1823 in Wash.Co.Va.
They moved toClaiborne Co.Va. in 1842.;
EMail address: sonia@gate.net [ my daughter]
Subj: Barton Genealogy Date:
98-09-04 10:24:49 EDT From: P1X1EDUST1
Hello, I am interested in an early settler of
Nashville, TN names Samuel Barton b. in VA
May 1749 and died Wilson Co., TN Jan 1810.
Does this family sound familiar to you? Sarah
From: Larry Robertson lerob@swbell.net
TNSUMNER-L@rootsweb.com Subject:
[TNSUMNER-L] Anyone lose this family?
MOORE----GREEN In the corner of Kaufman Co,
Texas near the Hunt & Van Zandt County lines
lies an all but forgotten cemetery which has
been abandoned and vandalized. The only
stone left in the cemetery reads:
TEXAS PIONEERS
IN MEMORY OF OUR GRANDPARENTS
BORN IN SUMNER CO.,TENN.
CAME TO TEXAS IN 1844
ALFRED MOORE MARY GREEN MOORE
ALFRED MOORE JR.
I don't have much info on these people & I
am not related to them. It is said they were
on their way back to Tn. when their infant
son took sick on the trail & died. So they
settled buried him beside the trail and settled
in the area. It is also said the Moore's are the
ones who donated the property for the cemetery.
I am posting this to Sumner Co.Tenn. in
hopes that desc of this family will know where
the burial site is if they are searching.
Thanks, Larry E. Robertson
Subj Couts Family Date: 98-09-06 23:33:52 EDT
From: arsearcy@gte.net ( Rachel Searcy) Well,
I was afraid you might say that.. All I know
about my 3rd great grandfather, the man known
as Benton "Bent" Counts, is from a narrative
written by a descendant of Allen Holloman
(who was Bent's son -in-law): alas, family lore.
And my grandfather always said his great
grandparents were Benton and Rachel Counts...
from East Tennessee, and they moved to Missouri.
I have a copy of an old narrative from, I
believe, either the Phelps or Crawford Co.
MO. Historical Society. It tells the story
about "Bent" being the wagon master of a
wagon train that went to Missouri in 1810,
accompanied by his wife Rachel, and his
young (about 3 years old) daughter, also
named Rachel. They were joined by some
wagons from North Carolina among which
was a family from Wake Co., NC, Edmund
Holloman, his wife, Mary, and young son,
Allen. I assume that Bent was an educated
man, as it is said he had a box of books with
him, and taught the two children, his
daughter and Allen Holloman, reading,
writing..... (Certainly Allen acquired a love
of learning that was affirmed when he moved
his residence when his children reached
school age so there would be a good school
available to them. He also read voraciously,
and became quite well educated himself.)
When the wagon train arrived in ? Missouri,
somewhere on Saline Creek, apparently in
what is now Iron County, each family chose
their "spots" which were then surveyed by
Bent Counts. I would be surprised if Bent
had any other children, there has been no
evidence found of any. Perhaps his wife
died young? And he seemed to "take a shine"
to young Allen Holloman, and during Allen's
tender years, taught him the art of surveying.
(Allen Holloman was later the County Surveyor
for many years). And this is all that is known
(believed) of Bent Counts. The "child" Rachel,
in 1827, married Allen Holloman... and then
died 28 Jan 1828, giving birth to her first and
only child, a girl, again named Rachel. Mr.
Holloman remarried a few years later and raised
a large family, and made his mark in Missouri
as one of the first legislators from Iron Co., and
then for many years as a judge. His daughter
Rachel married in 1851, James Marion Hawkins.
Her father's sister, Mary Ann Holloman, after
James's mother died, married his father so
became Rachel's "step-mother-in-law" as
well as her aunt. In April, 1864,Rachel
received word that her husband had been
badly wounded at the Battle of Pleasant
Hill, LA. She left for Texas immediately
with her five young children and never
returned to Missouri. Her husband died
before she reached Texas, but she stayed
there, settled in Limestone Co., raised
her children alone, and there lived out her
life. The only other clue about Rachel's
grandfather, is that Allen Holloman named
one of his sons, Thomas Edmund Benton
Holloman…those are the names of his
grandfather, his father, and his mentor?
One of the nice parts of my great grandmother's
story (the 3rd Rachel Counts Holloman
Hawkins) is that her half sister, Lucinda,
married an Irish artist named Hinchey, who
was also a diarist. He kept his diary faithfully,
writing in Pitman shorthand, and it has been
preserved... It is now, along with some of Judge
Holloman's papers, in the possession of the
widow of another of Judge Holloman's descendants
.... She plans to publish it, but has shared a few
passages with me. One tells about Mr. Hinchey
and Lucinda riding several days on horseback to
visit Rachel after the birth of her last child (while
James was away fighting for the C.S.A.). Hinchey
tells about the homes of various families where
they stopped for nights and meals... and about
stopping by Mary Ann's house and her accompanying
them the last leg of the journey to "Sister Rachel's"
home... he also commented on a barn that burned
while he was there, about painting portraits of
various Union AND Confederate officers and their
wives, and offered a few comments on the War
that was intimately touching all of their lives.
Wow.... sorry, I do tend to run on sometimes! And
little of this has anything to do with Bent Counts,
except that it was he who started this stuff...
How I would love to find him! Thanks again for
your information....and perhaps we'll run across
these people one of these days. Rachel
Subj: James Appleton m. Mary Couts Date:
98-09-11 17:55:16 EDT From: dparks@usit.net (Debbie Parks)
Hi, I was searching for my gggg-grandfather,
James Appleton, and my search turned up Volume 1
December-January Number 2 of
" California's Couts Cousins". In this
I found that according to John Couts Sr.'s
will, dated 6-8-1826, Mary Couts, married
James Appleton. Their whereabouts were
unknown. Could this possibly be my James
Appleton? He was born @ 1790 and died 1833.
I have no spouse listed. What information can
you give me on Mary Couts? Did she have
children? Where did she and James live?
Thanks, Debbie Parks
Subj: Couts/Appleton Date: 98-09-12 15:33:36
EDT From: dparks@usit.net Barb, I stumbled
upon "California's Couts Cousins" Volume 1
while searching for my gggg-grandfather James
Appleton. I e-mailed Mary Lou Reed, she couldn't
help me, but did offer your address and thought
you might be of help. The information I found
has him married to Mary Couts, daughter of
John Couts, Sr. and Leah Stark Couts. This
also has them in Robertson County, TN. I have
never found a wife for James. I do know that he
was in Robertson County. Do you have any
information about this couple that would help
me find out if this is my James? Thanks,
Debbie Parks I only have information on the
Appleton's. I would be happy to share. My mother
has worked on this line for 20 years. I got
interested last year. We have never had a
wife for James! So we are very excited about
this new line. I use Family Tree Maker.
Mother has been adding to my Appleton line.
She has a lot of notes on her computer. If you
are interested we can get this all together for
you. It seems that James and Mary moved to
Lawrence County, TN. That's where he died.
I have children listed. The town he lived in
was named Appleton. Let me know if you are
interested in the Appleton line. Debbie Parks
[THANK YOU FOR YOUR WONDERFUL INFORMATION
DEBBIE-YEARS OF GREAT RESEACH!!]
Subj: Mary Magdalene Stark Date: 98-09-17
06:39:11 EDT From: UncDoo@aol.com Can
you quote your sources on Mary Magdalene Couts,
who married Walter Stark. My sources indicate
she was a Woodard, sister to Arthur Woodard.
Can you shed some light on this? She was my
ggg-grandmother. (Their daughter, Nancy married
my gg-grandfather, Gravit Edwards) Thanks,
Dewey Edwards Springfield, TN [Desc.of James Stark Vol 1-3]
OLD QUERY BUT..... Posted by Helen Greenslit Graves
hgraves@pacbell.net
on January 27, 1997 Jacob Yotsler (Youtsler) lived
in Hardin Co., KY c 1790-1806; wife was Mary (__?__).
He moved to Harrison Co., IN near the Ohio River;
Mary died c.1816 prob IN. Jacob married a widow
Sarah Couts [WIDOW OF UNCLE HENRY COUTS],
then moved back to the Hardin Co LaRue Co. KY
area where he died in 1838. I descend from his
daughter Susanna who m. Hankerson Rude.
Need further info on Jacob Yotsler -- where he
came from, spouse's maiden name, and death
date. One of Jacob Yotsler's children was an
Abraham Yotsler. I have info on Abraham. Launa
Norma Lewis
To: bevans CC: VAAUGUST-
L@rootsweb.com
Subject: Re: [VAAUGUST-L] Kautz / Couts
Augusta Co. VA 1754 I was prepared to ignore
this chart, although it is very well done and
very interesting, I was wondering if it became
Coots? Then I saw Hedrick at the bottom and
thought I'd better tell you about a connection
- Old Casper Barger who was killed by Indians
on Draper's Meadow, which we discussed earlier,
had a son, Jacob, who married Elizabeth Hedrick
about this 1750 time period - Their daughter
Margaret married Casper Koiner in 1787.
Elizabeth was the granddaughter of Charles
Hedrick who came from Langaselva (sp?) near
the town of Hanau, Hesse Cassel, Germany.
Her father, John Hedrick came to Augusta
County with Jacob Barger from Rockingham
County. John Hedrick died below Port Republic
on the Shenandoah River. These places are
explained by the fact that many of these early
settlers used this area only as a summer home,
a hunting lodge, many went back North in winter
where they were safer from Indians. It is very
probable these Hedricks are related. Your
Elizabeth Hedderich is probably sister to John. Norma
From: Genny1@aol.com Date: Wed, 23 Sep 1998
20:57:56 EDT Subject: Appleton/Robertson
County TN Hi Barb....just wondering if you
got the message I had sent on Appleton .....
also we talked about Crockett's being close
to your family in Robertson County and
wondering if any of the Crockett's connect
with any of your lines? Thanks, Nancy
Goodman in TN [None- just neighbors]
Date: Mon, 24 Aug 1998 11:09:51 -0400
Subject: Re: Grim From: johnwgrimm@juno.com
(John W Grimm)
Hi Barbara, My linage, William Winfield Grim(m),
lived in Braxton Co., WV. Ison Dehas and Charles
lived in Ohio, and Vina went to Montana. My father,
Orel Willis Grimm, lived in Reno, NV, Little Rock,
AR, Montgomery, AL,
and Chattanooga, TN. Roscoe Hurley Grimm died
in Houston, TX. Other than that, I don't know what
happened to the others. If you can make a connection,
I would be pleased to hear from you. John
From: Gidggette@aol.com Subject: Sought the
Couts family Date: Tue, 30 Jun 1998 21 I am
a part of the Couts family am grandmother is
Betty Couts Wolff .her father was Charles Couts
and we are located in Uniontown Ohio. We have
been doing work on the family tree for a long time.
We have found out that there are many ways of
saying the name and many ways t spell the name
and we are all related to one another now matter
the spelling. I am sure that my grand mother
would love to get some info form you or to share
the info we have gathered I found a relative by
the name of Michael Coats he works for NASA
as the commander of the shuttle. Please contact
me or any of the following address bettywolff
(this is my grandmother Betty Wolff) dwolff5153
(my mother Darlene Wolff, Betty's Daughter)
gidggette (Gidget Wolff, that's me) I hope to hear
from you soon GIDGET
To: TNDAVIDS-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Reed,
Logue, Shugart, Hickox"@bl-30.rootsweb.com>
Would welcome correspondence from any Reed,
Logue, Shugart or Hickox pertaining Genealogy. Nell
Subj: Cave Jackson Couts Interesting
Date:98-08 From:genealau@sbjrhigh
.sbceo.k12.ca.us (Launa)
Barb, Had a very interesting thing happen
involving Cave which you could put in
the newsletter. As a retirement present,
I was given a ticket to a "fund-raising kick-
off-the-new-fiscal-year" luncheon at a local
country club to commemorate the recent
acquisition of the new home of the Santa
Barbara Genealogical Society. A 93 year
old woman donated a house and grounds
worth several million dollars plus an
endowment to keep it afloat. The move will
take place this month. The luncheon
speaker was a woman from the neighboring
county's genealogical society. She role played
Helen Hunt Jackson, authoress of the book,
RAMONA. She came dressed in period attire
and proceeded to give a wonderful account of
"her" life as Helen would if she were alive.
As I am zoning out a little, looking over the
beautiful landscape and watching the putters
nearby, I hear in the distance....Cave Couts
and his wife Isabella Bandini. Perhaps some
of you know this....Helen was a great advocate
FOR the Native Americans and in doing so,
she ruffled the feathers of most of her peers
in the mid 1800's--and many Washington
and local legislators wherever she went.
Helen had come to Southern California
to do research for her to-be book, RAMONA.
While here, she was apparently the guest
of Cave and Isabella. Due to some incident
where Helen was behaving "politically
incorrectly" for her time period (Native
Americans were still being used as slave
labor) she was kept at the Couts' home
"virtually under lock and key" for a period
of time. I don't know all the details. I
didn't have much time to spend afterward
with the woman playing Helen because
there were so many other people wanting
to see her. This woman did tell me that
she got her information from a book called,
THE ANNOTATED RAMONA. How interesting
that, in all the years I have been a member
of the genealogical society, I have not been
able to make their meetings because I was
working. Now that I am retired, the first one
I attend has something very definitely relating
to my genealogy. One never knows where the
next tid-bit will come from.
Time for a re-read of RAMONA. Launa
~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~
CITY OF SAN DIEGO AND SAN DIEGO COUNTY
THE BIRTH PLACE OF CALIFORNIA
BY Clarence Alan McGrew, 1922, Vol 1.
Submitted by: Bill Mclaren, CJ. Couts Descendant
Colonel Cave J. Couts Page 491 was a lieutenant
in the one of the first expeditions of American
soldiers into the Southwest, and after leaving
the army was one of the most enterprising and
distinguished citizens of San Diego County.
His family has been one of prominence in this
section of the state for many years.
Colonel Couts was born near Springfield,
Tennessee, November 11, 1821, and in that
locality his parent also spent their lives. His
early education was supervised by his uncle,
Cave Johnson, who was a member of President
Polk's cabinet as postmaster general. At the age
of seventeen he was appointed a cadet in West
Point Military Academy and graduated in 1843,
being commissioned a brevet second lieutenant
of the regiment of Mounted Rifles. He was on
frontier duty at Fort Jessup, Indiana, and in 1845
was sent with a detachment of recruits to Fort
Washita in Indian Territory. In the meantime
he was commissioned second lieutenant of the
First Dragoons, and did frontier duty at Evansville,
Arkansas, and Fort Gibson, Indian Territory, until
February 1847. He was then mad first lieutenant
of the First Dragoons, and during the war with
Mexico was on duty along the frontier, passing
through Mexico and Arizona to California, crossing
the Colorado River on Sunday, November 26, 1848,
it taking him three days to cross his regiment.
After confronting many obstacles and enduring
much hardship crossing the desert between
Colorado and the mountains, he reached Los
Angeles, with his command on Sunday,
January 9, 1849. Colonel Couts served about
San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Luis Rey to
1851. In 1849, he conducted an expedition to
the Gila River and was in charge of the Boundary
Survey between the United States and Mexico,
stationed at the junction of Colorado and Gila
Rivers or "Camp Calhoun." While on duty there
he was complimented by his superior officers in
dealing with the Indians and assisting the
emigrants. On August 1, 1849, he was elected
a delegate from San Diego in accordance with
proclamation of Brevet Brigadier General B.
Riley, governor of California, to form a state
constitution or plan for a territorial government.
Until thirty years of age his life was that
of a soldier, but on April 5, 1851, he married
Miss Ysidora Bandini, daughter of Don Juan
Bandini of San Diego. Colonel Couts was
fortunate in finding a companion and wife
with many of the noblest traits of her sex and
her race. Ysidora Bandini continued to live
on the old homestead at Guajome after the
death of her husband until she passed away
in the spring of 1897, and showed marvelous
skill in managing the property through the
trying years of her early widowhood. She came
of a family renowned for physical and mental
strength and beauty, and at the time of her
marriage she was regarded as the most
beautiful young woman in Southern California.
He father, Don Juan Bandini, was a prominent
official under the Mexican government, living
at San Diego, where Mrs. Couts was born. He
was highly educated and early foresaw the
results of the war with Mexico and was one of
the first Southern Californians to ally themselves
with the Americans. Three of his daughters,
one of them Mrs. Couts, made the first
American flag hoisted at San Diego. Mrs.
Couts's grandfather, Don Jose Bandini, was
a native of old Spain and an admiral in
the Spanish Navy, being stationed on
the Pacific Coast, and was in command
in Peru when Don Juan, father of Mrs.
Couts was born. The Bandini family
was originally Italian.
The October following his marriage
Colonel Couts resigned his commission as
a first lieutenant in the regular army, but
soon afterward was appointed colonel and
aide de camp on the staff of Governor
Bigler, accounting for the military title
with which his friends honored him.
Colonel Couts has been described as a
man of commanding figure, a little
over six feet tall, straight, willowy and
active, a perfect horseman, making a
splendid appearance as a cavalry officer,
and with the natural instincts of a
gentleman supplemented by a thorough
education. He was devoted to his family
and in every transaction betrayed a strict
integrity, though he was also a congenial
companion, found of music and dancing,
and a popular figure in all social circles.
The most interesting part of his story is
that which relates to the development he
instituted in San Diego County. He was
one of the first to discover that the climate
and soil of that county were adapted to all
kinds of agriculture and horticulture. He
was the first to plant an orchard on a large
scale with the improved varieties of fruits,
and for years his was the only orange grove
in San Diego County. About two years after
leaving the army he lived at old San Diego,
where he served a term as County Judge.
In 1853, he and his family, consisting of
his wife and two children, moved to Guajome.
Guajome was an Indian grant containing
2,219 acres made by the Mexican Government
to Andres, an Indian, and to his two sisters.
It was bought by Mrs. Don Abel Stearns of Los
Angeles and by her presented to Mrs. Couts
as a wedding present. In the Indian language
the word means "Home of the frog." When
Colonel Couts took possession of it in 1852,
there was not a sign of a tree, and it was his
initiative and enterprise that later covered
the tract with orchards, among them several
of the tropical fruits, and as the "Chicomoya:
or "Anona", "Marego," Auguacate" (alligator plant)
and several others, also vineyards and other
groves. He put up a camp on the land, made
some willow poles and a few boards taken from
San Diego, and that served him while he was
building more commodious structures. As
there was no running water on the land he
dug a hole with a spade, and later
enlarged that hole to a pone one
hundred feet in diameter and seven
feet deep, which had a constant flow
of water, much of it used for irrigation
purposes. Colonel Couts was special
Indian agent, resigning on August 10,
1856, after having made a full report to
the Honorable Commissioner of Indian
Affairs and calling attention to the
condition of the "poor Indian," and
making suggestions that, had they
been exercised, the Indians would
not have been wronged or, as might
be said, practically exterminated by
the invasion of the white man. He
also had the supervision of a large
number of Indians in and around San
Luis Rey, who loved and feared him.
He commanded their services and labors,
and from the labor of three hundred
Indians constructed an immense adobe
house built in a square, containing
twenty rooms, with a courtyard filled
with orange and lemon trees and varieties
of flowers. The same labor erected barns,
stables, sheds, and corrals and also
servants' quarters, and finally a neat
chapel was dedicated to the worship of
God. Perhaps due to his military training,
he had an almost infallible ability in
managing and controlling Indians.
He instituted system and order everywhere
and visitors frequently knew without
being told that "Don Cuevas" as he was
generally called, was a military man.
He also accumulated thousands of cattle,
hundreds of horses and mules and many
sheep, and purchased the San Marcos,
Buena Vista and La Joha ranches, besides
about eight hundred acres of government
land adjoining his homestead. Altogether
his estate aggregated about twenty
thousand acres. He was prospering until
the passage of the "no fence law," which
practically ruined him financially and he
was compelled to sell his livestock at a
tremendous sacrifice. He was just beginning
to recover from this disaster when death
came to him while at the Horton House in
San Diego, July 10, 1874. The tragedy of
his useful career was that he was not
permitted to enjoy the fruits of his toil and
the expenditure of thousands of dollars in
developing what might properly be
considered a paradise.
Colonel Couts was one of twelve children,
his wife was one of ten, and their own
family consisted of ten sons and daughters,
namely: Abel Stearns Couts, who died in
1855, when nearly four years of age; Maria
Antonia, widow of Colonel Chalmers Scott,
of Los Angeles; William B., manager of the
Baker Estate Realty Company, of Los Angeles,
Cave J. Jr., a civil engineer by profession,
living at Gujome in San Diego County;
Nancy Dolores, who died 1868, at the
age of eleven; Ysidore Forster Fuller,
widow of the late Judge Fuller, of Los
Angeles, where she resides; Elena,
Mrs. Parker Dear, of Alhambra;
Robert Lee, of Los Angeles, who died
March 18, 1920; John Forester, of
San Diego , and wife Caroline, wife
of J.B. Winston, of Los Angeles.
FROM THE GUEST BOOK ~
Couts Family Association Name:
Erin McLaren, eemclaren@aol.com
Referred by: Just Surfed On In
From: San Diego Comments: I
love your web page! My father
is Alfredo Bandini Johnson, Jr.
and I'm related to all those
interesting people, although
I don't know a whole lot about
the family history. I'd love to
come visit your library sometime,
right now I currently live in San
Francisco, just down the street
from the mission. My relatives,
The Arguello's are buried there as well.
Record 72 Name: Robert Leo
Cannon (Kautz), kautz@sbell.net
Referred by: Just Surfed On In
From: Independence, Missouri
Comments: I am working on my
family tree and looking for relatives.
My dad was Francis Leo Kautz, born
in Stillwater Okla., His dad was John
Jacob Kautz, born in Oklahoma in 1891
His dad was John George Kautz, born in
Strausberg Germany in 1850, I believe,
but I will have to verify this at a later date.
From: Record 80 Name: Eli Nordstrom
Referred by: Just Surfed On In From:
Rector, PA -- Descendent of Virginia
and Tuscarawas County Ohio Couts
and Chadwell Families Comments:
What a wonderful website. The dedication
to the family is quite apparent. I am a
the ggg-granddaughter of Wm. Peter
Couts, Sr.. His Son Wm. Peter Jr. married
Phoebe Chadwell, daughter of George and
Ruth R. [Taylor] Chadwell of VA. They
migrated to Tuscarawas County, Ohio
where their son John Chadwell Couts
married Mary Emaline Little, and to
this union my grandmother, Wilma
Elizabeth Couts was born. I am willing
to share info with anyone interested,
and would love to find "long lost" relatives!
Record 74 Name: Mary Ellen Ledford,
ellen@airmail.net Website: Referred
by: From a Friend From: TX Comments:
Am very interested in the RUFFIN/VAUGHN
lines as they connect with LEDFORD in
Christian and Green Co. Mo. Sabra Laraceens
Ruffin md Moses Marion Ledford cir 1868.
Mary Couts Family Association Record 71
Name: Margot McLaren, mmclaren@gia.edu,
Ref by: From a Friend From: Kingston, Rhode
Island Time: 1998-07-26 04:39:41 Comments:
I am a descendant of Juan Bandini and Cave
Johnson Couts. I currently work as a volunteer
for the San Diego Historical Society Couts
Family Association
Record 75 Name: David L. Minton,
woldoni@carlsbadnm.comWebsite: Refby:
Geocities From: Lovington, NM Comments:
Great site, was just hunting Minton's
and dropped in. Thanks
Record 76 Name: ERNEST R. KAUTZ,
Referred by: Just Surfed On In From:
ST. LOUIS MO. 63138 Comments:
IS IT POSSIBLE TO GET COPY OF FAMLY
TREE IFORMATION PLEASE FATHER TRYING
TO DO HIS NAME ERNEST L. KAUTZ
Record 78 Name: James Russell Koutz, wildchild_
koutz@yahoo.com Website: Referred by:
Net Search
From: Alma, Michigan Comments:
Well someone in our family told us
about this. We were excited to find
out things and would be really interested
to hear more about what goes on.
Alicia Walker has attended our
Koutz family reunion in Michigan.
My grandfather was Edmun Koutz,
and his wife was Sara (Steele) Koutz
from Elwell, Michigan. If possible
please e-mail us some information
about anything that is going to be
going on in the near future. It would
be greatly appreciated. Sincerely,
James Russell Koutz and family
Record 77 Name: David J. Kautz,
dkautz@pce.netWebsite: Dragon's
Home Referred by: Just Surfed On
In From: Buffalo, NY Comments:
Originally from Youngstown, OH
GGGrandfather - August Kautz,
Union Army, Battle of the Crater,
Petersburg, VA (they still remember
the name down there after 120yrs!!!)
GGrandfather - Adolf Alexander
Grandfather - Daniel Donald Father
- Henry George Repeating family
names - George, Daniel, Henry
August Kautz had a brother that
went west to Oregon after Civil war,
most family history lost when
Grandfather was orphaned at 8 yrs old.
Subj: Re: Couts family Date: 98-10-14
From: mblass@grossmont.k12.ca.us (Blass)
Here is some information Ned and I
have dug up on Cave Johnson Couts.
We visited Guajome, the home he and
Ysidora built near Vista, CA. It is now
a County park. Cave Johnson Couts
was born at his family's ancestral
home near Springfield, Tenn. on
Nov. 11, 1821. Ruins of the old farm
house and the family burial plot close
by, established by his grandfather circa
1790, still remain in the possession of
Couts' descendents. Cave attended
schools in Springfield, Tenn. and
Hollowell Preparatory School in Alexandria
VA; then received an appointment to West
Point in May 1838, arranged by his uncle
Cave Johnson through James K. Polk.
Graduated from WP 1843, commissioned
Brevet Second Lt. in Reg. of Mounted Rifles,
and was assigned to frontier forts prior to he
Mexican War. Arrived in CA 1849 with an
expedition to reinforce troops occupying CA.
Marriage to Isadora Bandini April 5, 1851,
Old Town San Diego. Wedding gift to bride
was 2,219 acre tract of land known as Rancho
Guajome presented by her sister Aracadia's
husband Abel Stearns. 10 children born to
Ysidora & Cave: Abel Stearns Couts died 1855
before 4th birthday, Maria Antonia Aracadia,
William Bandini (Guillermo Antonio), Cave Jr.
( sometimes called Cueva), Nancy Dolores,
Ysidora Forster, Elena Francisca, Robert Lee,
John Forster, Maria Carolina. Cave Johnson
Couts died February 24, 1874. Ysidora
Bandini Couts, died May
24, 1897. Cave Couts was a colorful
figure and the docent at Guajome
gave quite a colorful presentation
about his life. The information above
comes from the booklet we bought
there "Rancho Guajome, An Architectural
Legacy Preserved." Hope this will be of
interest to you and others. I will get the
other Thomas Clark info. to you soon. Sue
PICTURES OF CHRISLEY WADE COUTS AND
THE ARMSTRONG FARM-HOME OF JOHN COUTS
OF TENNESSEE CAN BE FOUND ON THE PICTURE
ALBUM PAGE ~ Pictures courtesy of Debbie Parks
and James Armstrong.
Please click for e-mail.
Please click to go back to the main page.
