Reviews of Books and Other Information Sources
The myriad stories of Texas and Texans are told in countless books, most of which we have not read. But in our efforts to learn as much as we can about the story of Celia Ann and Thomas Haynes and their descendants, we have come across several books and other information sources that stand out because of their clear portrayal of Texas and its inhabitants at the time of the Texas Revolution and early statehood. Information about these books, including brief reviews, is presented below. Although some of the books are no longer available, we have found that the older ones are available in public libraries and historical society collections throughout Texas, or through inter-library loan.
The myriad stories of Texas and Texans are told in countless books, most of which we have not read. But in our efforts to learn as much as we can about the story of Celia Ann and Thomas Haynes and their descendants, we have come across several books and other information sources that stand out because of their clear portrayal of Texas and its inhabitants at the time of the Texas Revolution and early statehood. Information about these books, including brief reviews, is presented below. Although some of the books are no longer available, we have found that the older ones are available in public libraries and historical society collections throughout Texas, or through inter-library loan.
- Ira T. Taylor, The Cavalcade of Jackson County (San Antonio: Naylor, 1938) Numerous articles about the history of Jackson County before, during, and after the Texas Revolution and on until after 1900, with brief sketches of its prominent citizens, towns, events, businesses, and industries; and short biographies of prominent citizens. Includes statistics.
- Frederick Law Olmsted, A Journey Through Texas (Austin: University of Texas Press, 1978) A day-by-day journal of a wandering eastern farmer/reporter who traveled through Texas in the winter and spring of 1853-54. Contains detailed impressions of Texas people, living conditions, weather, agriculture and commerce, including statistics. The author began his trip in Baltimore and traveled down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers and up the Red River by steamboat. Strangely enough, he passed through Smithland, Kentucky, where Thomas Haynes's parents are both buried, and on his return trip he passed through Opelousas, Louisiana, where Celia Ann Webb was born. During the trip, he visited Victoria, Lavaca, and Indianola, but did not visit Jackson County, so he missed the Haynes place by 20 miles or so.
- John J. Linn, Reminiscences of Fifty Years in Texas (New York: Sadlier, 1883; 2d ed., Austin: Steck, 1935; rpt., Austin: State House, 1986) Recollections of a prominent citizen of Victoria of events in Texas between 1829-83. Linn was a merchant with a home and store in (Guadalupe) Victoria and a dock/warehouse in Linnville, on Lavaca Bay. Linn was elected to the Convention of 1836, which declared the independence of Texas from Mexico. He supplied the Texian troops during the Texas Revolution and was present at San Jacinto.
- William Courtney Watts, Chronicles of a Kentucky Settlement (Knickerbocker Press, a division of G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1897). The book has since been reproduced by the Crittenden County Historical Society, Marion, Kentucky. The author was a son of Lucinda Haynes Watts, one of Thomas’s younger sisters, and was Thomas’s first cousin. Some western Kentucky libraries and genealogical societies may have copies of the book for circulation or for sale. Our copy was given to us by Don Hodge when we traveled to Smithland, Kentucky, to research the family of Thomas Haynes. The Watts family, named Adair in the book, is at the center of the story, but because Joseph Watts met the family of Christopher Haynes on their way west to Kentucky, settled in Livingston County where the Haynes family lived, and married a Haynes daughter, we learn much about the Haynes family life, too. The family’s trek westward, which took many months, was a major undertaking filled with hardships and dangers. Life in western Kentucky, on the banks of the Ohio River, was filled with colorful, sometimes dangerous, characters. Thomas Haynes is only mentioned in passing, as Thornton Howard. He was ten years older than Lucinda and had moved away from home by the time Joseph settled near Christopher. The quaint dialog used by the author helps the reader imagine what visiting Christopher and Sarah must have been like and gives the story charm.
- Texas State Historical Association, The Handbook of Texas Online (Austin, 2010) The premiere encyclopedic web site of Texas history, geography, and culture, accessible at www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online. Once there, just enter a topic in the search field in the upper right corner and click Search.
- Elithe Hamilton Kirkland, Love is a Wild Assault (Shearer Publishing, 1977) This book is based on the memoirs of Harriet Moore Potter Ames, who struggled to survive in Texas during the Texas Revolution and early days of the Republic of Texas. The compelling story is well written and provides insight into the dramatic and often tragic events, both historical and personal. The narration regarding the famous “Runaway Scrape” is especially interesting. The book’s title (which I think an unfortunate choice) refers to the main character’s two unfortunate marriages. While still in her teens in Louisiana, she married a charming compulsive gambler who moved her to Texas, hoping to make his fortune there through gambling. Thinking that her husband, who was caught up in the fervor of revolution, had died in battle, she then married a deceitful charming womanizer who essentially abandoned her and her children in the Lake Caddo area of East Texas while he saw to his interests in the new republic. She and her young children faced both near-starvation and Native Americans while on their own in the forests of east Texas.
- Janice Woods Windle, True Women (G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1993) A novel based upon family stories passed through the generations of the author’s family. The story is told from the view points of strong women in each generation, beginning with Euphemia Texas Ashby King. She was five years old in 1836 and observed important characters and events during the Texas Revolution. The characters in this story also suffer through the “Runaway Scrape” and various encounters with hostile Native Americans. The second True Woman, Georgia Virginia Lawshe, migrated with her family from Georgia to Texas. Her story touches upon the tragic Trial of Tears as well as the struggle to survive in the family’s new central Texas home. The second half of the book relates events during the War Between the States and moves the family into modern times. The individual episodes are linked by the author/narrator visiting an elderly “wise woman” who was able to communicate with the past, a device written so well as to be completely believable.