For additional information on Andrew Jackson Nixon II and the Strackbein family see The Nixon Family: Descendants of Francis Marion Nixon and Catherine Elliott, page 52 - 65.
Marriage record shows J.P. Nixon.
Marriage record shows name as Minnie Nixon.
Marriage record shows name as Nelly V.L. Nixon.
"Andrew Jackson Nixon was a small man, weighing about 130 pounds, with light curly hair and blue eyes. He was a primitive baptist minister, farmer and wheelright. He made spinning wheels to sell to the Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma. He was a very good friend to the Indians and was the doctor in the vicinity in which he lived..."
REF: The Nixon Family: Descendants of Francis Marion Nixon and Catherine, page 34.1831 - Moved to Missouri with John Coffee Nixon.
1835 - Moved to Franklin Co., Arkansas.
1840 - Lived in Franklin Co. Arkansas. A farmer and wheelwright, he made spinning wheels and traded them to the Indians.
1856 - he and his family, accompanied by the Light, Ratto and New families, set out in a wagon train for California. Lack of water for their stock on the Texas plains forced them to halt. Turning South to Mason and Gillespie counties, TX, the family established Nixon Point, a peak on the Beaver Creek, as a landmark in October, 1856. Taking refuge from the Indians in old forts in Mason and Menard counties, they were able to keep alive and maintain their small herd of cattle. Additional information in Pioneers in God's Hills, Published by Gillespie County Historical Society, Fredericksburg, TX.
1866 - Settled on Squaw Creek, Llano County, Texas with three sons, Andrew Jackson, Jr. , James G., and Thomas Nixon.
Marriage records shows Nancy at 18 years old at time of marriage. That would put her birth at about 1841. Since other children were born during that time she must have lied about her age - but why? Nancy and John New were living in Kimble Co., TX. near Junction on the Llano River in 1865. REF: The Nixon Family: Descendants of Francis Marion Nixon and Catherine Elliott, page 49.
Also listed as Sarah
Headstone "Wife of Miles T. Stone. Born 17 Nov 1852 Died 30 April 1890." Records of Georgia L. Bergsten 2303 Inez Dr. NE Albuquerque, NM 87110, has her first name as Deborah. Tx census dated June 3rd, 1880 for the County of Llano, show father born Al. Mother born KY. Marriage records show name as Scintha Lavina Nixon.
Also listed as Almeda Thursda Nixon.
It is said that Frank arrived in the United States with his parents about the time of the American Revolution. Census records shows NC as his birth place. Family legend has it that he was living in his parents home with a brother and sister when his parents were killed by the British. Frank escaped and his brother escaped but his sister Margaret was kidnapped and never heard from again. Another story has Margaret also escaping and being taken by another family. Never-the-less, the house was burned and the children seperated.
Sometime prior to 1784 Francis was among a group led into Kentucky by Daniel Boone. The first Nixon family found recorded in Kentucky were in a group from Virginia, who settled along Gilbert's Creek in Madison County, Kentucky. This group, made up of the William Young, Johnston, Hampton, Falconer, Nixon, and Chester families built a stockade known as Gilbert's Creek Station. Later the same year, 1781, they established the Gilbert's Creek Baptist Church, the first church founded in Kentucky. The first deeds of land recorded to Nixons in Kentucky are Andrew Nixon of Delaware, Jonathan Nixon, Henry Nixon, and William Nixon of Virginia.
Francis Marion Nixon reached Kentucky at age 14 or 15 and lived there 17 years, where he was a frontiersman and hunter. Frank has been described as a man of small stature (120 pounds) but possessing good running ability. His speed as a runner is said to have gotten him out of a few scrapes with indians.
Frank married Catherine Elliott February 24, 1798 in Madison County Kentucky. The marriage ceremony was performed by Rev. Thomas Berry. Consent was given by guardian John Payne. (Assume this was Catherine's guardian).
At the start of the War of 1812, Frank, then 46, joined the Army and moved his family to Tennessee where his fourth son was born July 4, 1813. This son was named Andrew Jackson Nixon after the famous Tennessee General Andrew Jackson.
After the War of 1812 Frank and Catherine moved to Alabama, 1816. Here their last three sons were born. They remained here until 1828 or 1829 when the Francis Marion Nixon family moved to Tennessee. Elliott remained in Alabama. Lorenzo Dow Nixon married Sarah Parker and moved to Fort Parker, Texas with the Parker family.
Frank and Catherine removed to the locations listed below:
: Rowan Co. NC (date unknown)
1798: Madison Co. KY
1812 - 1816: TN
1818 - 1827: Madison and Limestone Counties AL
1828/29: Shelby Co. TN
1840: Morgan Co. MO
1850: Praire Township Franklin Co. AR (Lived alone with Catherine)
1860: Six Mile Township Franklin Co. ARThe Madison County, KY tax lists indicate that Francis Nixon first appeared on the tax rolls in August of 1799 (page 9) and last appeared June 28, 1806 (page 28). The Madison County tax list information is provided below:
August, 1799 Page 8
June 4, 1800
September 5, 1801 page 19
October, 1802 page 21
June 5, 1803 page 24
March 26, 1804 Page 29
May 6, 1805 page 28
June 28, 1806 page 28While residing in Limestone County, Alabama Frank choose a very novel way of decorating his primitive cabin on Swan Creek south of the present day Athens. In the book The Lure and Lore of Limestone County, published for the Limestone County Historical Society, R.A. McClellan was quoted as saying "He {Francis Marion Nixon} stuffed the entrails of a bear which he had killed and draped these adornments around the inner walls of his house. To relieve the dun-colored monotony of these ornaments he interspersed them with nice pods of red pepper."
This book also states "Frank also showed his individuality in the names which he choose for his children. They were Alexander the Great, John Coffee, Lorenzo Dow, General Jackson, George Washington, and James Monroe Liberty Independence."
Catherine could not read or write according to 1850 Arkansas Census. May have been an English immigrant. Census records show NC as her birthplace.
Elliott was named after his mother's family. He was also known as "Alexander The Great". In 1812 moved to TN with his family. Moved to AL in 1816 with family. 1830 - Lived in Limestone Co., AL.
Daughters are placed radomly where space indicates they could have been born.
John Coffee Nixon may have been named after his grandfather. (verification needed). When his father purchased land in Alabama a man by the name of John Coffee purchased land the same day. We do not know the relationship, if any at this writing.
John Coffee moved to Missouri after he married in 1831. He took with him young Andrew Jackson Nixon. Andrew married Lurana Wootten. These two families moved to Arkansas in 1835.
Ref: "The Goodspeed Biographical and Historical Memoirs of NW Ark." Pg 1265 Deacon in Primitive Baptist Church for 50 years. 1835 - Moved to Franklin Co. Arkansas, purchased 500 acres of land.
When the 1850 census was taken the following people resided with John and his wife in addition to their children: Catherine Nixon, William J.Nixon, and a farm laborer named James Duncan.
When the 1860 census was taken on June 21st, John was married to Mary. Their real estate was valued at $5000 and their real property was valued at $10,000.
The 1870 census indicates John and Jane's real estate had a value of $300 while their personal property had a value of $250. The Post Office was at Ozark. The 1870 census indicates that a Thomas Benkly, age 14, resided with John and Jane Nixon when the census was taken on June 3rd, 1870.
Named for a Methodist Evangelist.
Came to Texas and fought in the Texas Revolution. A historical marker is erected in Limestone County to the Parker, Nixon and other families who brought the first body of the Predestinary Baptist Church to Texas. "Pioneers in God's Hills", A History of Fredericksburg and Gillespie County People and Events, Vol. II. Published by Gillespie County Historical Society Fredericksburg, Texas.
Lorenzo Dow Nixon enlisted in Captain Silas M. Parker's Ranging Company December 4, 1835 and was discharged January 25, 1836. He re-enlisted in the army, and on May 23, 1855 was issued Bounty Certificate No. 2003 for 320 acres of land for having served in the army from January 27 to April 27, 1836.
He married Sarah Parker. His wife was at Parker's Fort, in what is now Limestone Co., TX when it was attached by Indians in 1836. Elizabeth Kellogg, daughter of Mr. Nixon, was captured by Indians at Parker's Fort. (See story on Origin of Fort Parker on page 21 of The Nixon Family: Descendants of Francis Marion Nixon and Catherine Elliott).
Nixon, Texas was named for L. D. Nixon because it is situated on the land granted to him for his services in the army.
George Washington Clemington Nixon
"George was of Scotch descent, and was born in Tennessee December 7, 1817 and died in Scott Co. Arkansas April 19, 1885. He moved to Morgan Co., Mo. at an early day and was there married to Phoebe M. Burnard, who was a native of that county, born January 21, 1820, and died in Franklin County Arkansas. March 9, 1858. They located to Franklin County in 1844, George moved to Scott Co. Arkansas in 1884. After Phoebe's death George Married Mrs. Martha Smith, daugther of Miles Williams. George was a farmer and a stock raiser, and held the office of justice of the peace, school commissioner and county treasurer. He was a democrat and a member of the Primitive Baptist Church. When the Civil War broke out he was a captain in Co. A 7th Arkansas Militia during the conflict and served from 1864 until the close of the war.
James Monroe Liberty Independence Nixon
James Monroe Liberty Independence Nixon served in the confederacy, Company E 50th Alabama Infantry CSA. Served in Jim Henry Malone's company. Was in the Battle of Corinth. He was given a medical discharge in 1862. James was the first elected superintendent of education in Limestone County; the Post Master of the Poplar Creek Post Office in 1895 and a farmer. His land joined the Poplar Springs Church property. Ref: Alabama Records Volume 209 Limestone County Compiled by Pauline Jones Gandrud and "Confederate Soldiers From Limestone County, Alabama" by Jerrye Tod Austin, published by the Joseph E. Johnston Chapter No. 198 United Daughters of the Confederacy.
J. Seale performed the marriage ceremony of James and Margaret.
James' headstone has been inscribed: Company E, 50th Alabama infantry, CSA.
The obituary of Liberty I. Nixon was published in "The Limestone Democrat" the 9th of January 1904. "Last Thursday morning at 5 o'clock the dark angel of death entered the home of Mrs. Alice Rainey and claimed for its victim old Uncle Liberty Nixon her aged father. Uncle Liberty as he was affectionately called was honored and loved by all his friends and they were numbered by his acquaintances. He was a well educated and refined gentleman of his day. He was very oldsome where near 90 (80) years of age. He was a great favorite of the children, as he would sing for them and tell stories. He was a member of the Baptist Church and served his God in his daily actions and God in all his wise wisdom has called him safely home. His remains were laid to rest at Poplar Creek buring ground last Thursday in the presence of a large concourse of people, there to await resurrection. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints."
From "The Lure and Lore of Limestone County", by Chris Edwards and Faye Axford: Liberty Independence Nixon was "One of the most unique characters in this county, 'stated the Alabama Courier on 6th of January1903 after his death in the waning hours of 1903. He was for many years a school teacher and a singing master, and a few years ago made County Superintendent of Education,' stated the obituary. Nixon first announced his candidacy for Superintendent in 1871. He was long a voting official in beat 9 of Limestone County. The announcement appeared in the Athens Post Journal in 1881 that he would meet his music class at Nebo.
Among those of the family who went to Hills and Ellis counties in Texas were G.R., M.P., Wes and John C. Nixon, acording to J.L. Terry whose letter from Plano, Texas appeared in the local paper on 14 Sept. 1885. Also listed in this article, but not associated with the Texas venture, was John Beckham Nixon with wife Betty and eight month old son William were listed as living with Perrin Farrer in 1870 who lived in Southwest Limestone County.
Went to California during the gold rush. Returning to Arkansas, he persuaded his brother, Andrew Jackson Nixon I, and other family members to move west.
When the 1850 census was taken Francis lived with his wife Jane and 3 children Lysurus, 5 years old, and Mary Elizabeth, 2 years old, and George W., who was 3 months old. Francis was 25 years old and Jane was 19. According to the 1850 census Francis was a wheelwright. Later information indicates he was a farmer and a hunter.
When the 1860 census was taken Francis and Jane had added 6 children to the family. They were Augustine C. born about 1852, Adoniram J. born about 1853, Liberty Franklin born in February 1856, Pendleton Graves, born about 1858, Aletha Ann born about 1861, and Francis Marion, born about 1863. Records indicate that this family lived in Missouri prior to settling in Arkansas. In research done by others there is mention of Francis having another wife named Sarah. Whether Sarah was his first or second wife is unknown at this time.
There is mention of two other children, Joe and Jack by Velettia N. Mooneyham. His story is as follows: "grandfather had two brothers, Joe(the politician) who ran for the house of representatives. I remember my father say if Uncle Joe gets beat this time he better quit. I'm sure he was a Republican and Arkansas isn't noted for electing Republicans. Uncle Jack came to Texas. He established the Post Office Nixon in Gonzales Co. in 1875."
The following story was taken from a letter written by Vellettia N. (Nixon) Mooneyham [Granddaughter of Francis Marion Nixon, Jr.] to Ferne N. Little on October 10, 1968. "I presume it was an episode that Lycurgus [son of Francis Marion Nixon, Jr.] had that made Grandfather decide to take his family back to Illinois and enlist himself in the army. Some way Grandfather got word that the bushwhackers were looking for him and he hid out. When they came they took Lycurgus out and strung him up to a tree until he was almost dead trying to make him tell where his father was. They did this several times but finally let him go. If he knew he never told. But he immediately enlisted in the Army. He was 17 yrs. I don't know whether it was Northern or Southern Army, but he was only in a short time and died of pneumonia."
Francis Marion Nixon was killed in Roseville, Ark while helping to defend the town against bushwackers between 1863 & 1864 while taking his family to IL to his wife's family for safekeeping so he could enlist in the Union Army. After his death Jane took the children down the Arkansas River and then up the Mississippi River to Illinois. Burial location unknown.
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1840 Census Morgan Co.Missouri
1850 Census 11/26/1850 Pairie Twsp. Franklin Co.Arkansas
1860 Census 7/12/1860 6 Mile Twsp. Franklin Co.ArkansasMay have been a Baptist Preacher at Charleston Church in Franklin Co. Information about this family group is from Wanda Nixon Bruce, 10441 Singleton Rd, San Jose CA 95111. It includes information from the family bible. Francis Marion Nixon Jr. was married to his wife by W.F. Wilcox, J.P. Wilcox is most likely a relative of Francis's mother, Harriet Jane Wilcox.
Not sure about the two Sarahs. May be the same wife.
James G. Wootten served in the War of 1812 from Indiana. He lived at various times in Kentucky, Indiana, Missouri, and Arkansas.