ALFRED DEAN FAMILY, continued: (from "The Dean Family," by Gloria Borgsmiller & Lucy Kehmeier)
EARLY LIFE IN TENNESSEE
Apparently, sometime prior to 1808, Alfred Dean's father, John Deen (SIC) and his maternal grandfather, John Nash, also felt the urge to head west in search of a better way of life. The original TN land grant records prove, the Deen and Nash families left Halifax County, VA and headed west to the State of TN prior to April 1808 because after arriving there, John Deen and John Nash applied for free land, and in April 1808 their applications were granted. After arriving in TN, the Deen and Nash families settled first in White County, and shortly thereafter, moved to Franklin County, where each was recorded numerous times in the early deed records. Apparently the Deen, Nash, and Forsyth families resided near each other in early Franklin County, TN because there, seventeen year old, Nancy Forsyth met and later married, Alfred Deen.
After their marriage, Alfred and Nancy resided in a two room log cabin on the old John Deen family farm, and while residing there, Alfred helped his father farm the land. Shortly after their marriage, Alfred's father-in-law, Barnett Forsyth, headed west to AR. Prior to leaving Franklin County, TN, Barnett deeded his land and personal property to his daughter and son-in- law, Nancy and Alfred Dean. After Barnett executed this deed, he left Franklin County, and thereafter, Alfred and Nancy resided on the old Barnett Forsyth family farm. Barnett's old home was a large two story log house, and while residing there Alfred farmed the land, Nancy tended the housework, and there, Nancy also gave birth to her first two children, John Wesley and William Barnett.
Prior to 1834, Barnett's paternal nephew, Benjamin Forsyth, left his wife, "Fannie" (Walker) Forsyth, in Lincoln County, TN, and after a bitter family feud, Benjamin headed west toward AR. During the ensuing months, Benjamin traveled through the Northwest AR territory. Prior to 1840, he finally settled in Pike County, MO, remarried, and there, raised his second family.
After arriving in Pike County, MO, Benjamin wrote his uncle, Barnett, and encouraged him to come west to the AR territory where the newly organized State of AR was offering free land. Several old letters from Benjamin to Barnett indicate, Benjamin thought the Northwest AR territory to be the most beautiful place he had ever seen, and he also thought Barnett and his family would surely be better off there. Later records also indicate, prior to his arrival in MO Benjamin had visited and stayed a few weeks in the Sugar Creek and Pea Ridge areas of the future Benton County, AR and apparently was impressed by the scenic beauty there.
Evidently, Benjamin's letters influenced Barnett, because in early 1834, he and several of his Franklin County, TN neighbors, just as they had done in Orange County, NC, once again, formed a wagon train. Two wagon trains met and joined in their trek westward. Some of the families were Dean, Forsyth, Harper, Carden and others. They settled in the Pea Ridge community until 1880 when some of the Dean family went to TX. This time they headed west to the Northwest AR territory. Shortly after arriving there, the State of AR set the county boundary lines in the Northwest AR territory, and Benton County was then formed and named in honor of the State's Representative to Congress.
After Barnett left Franklin County, TN, Alfred continued to farm the land given him by Barnett. "Barney" often wrote to his daughter, Nancy, and described to her the magnificent beauty of the AR countryside. In several of these old letters, "Barney" urged Alfred and Nancy to sell all their land and belongings, and he also stated, should they so desire to come on west to Benton County, AR they were welcome to live there on part of his property.
We know by deed records that Alfred and Nancy Dean were living in Franklin County, TN in 1834. On 2 March 1834, William Barnett Forsyth, Nancy's father, is recorded on page 436 in deed book "N" as bestowing upon his beloved son-in-law, Alfred "Deen," the gift of 100 acres of land, one wagon (SIC), ten head of cattle, nineteen head of hogs, one clock, one cupboard, one table, five beds, bedsteads and furniture, fifty barrels of corn, three head of horses, thirteen chains and farm ploughs (SIC), and Barnett Forsyth's interest in five negro slaves. This land was bound on the west by Alfred's father, John Deen.
Alfred and Nancy (Forsyth) Dean were the parents of two children while living in Franklin County, TN. We know that Alfred and Nancy remained in Franklin County, TN until 1837, as their second son, William Barnett was born there. The children were: a son, John Wesley b 13 Dec 1833 and a son, William Barnett, b 31 March 1837.
WESTWARD TO ARKANSAS
Sometime prior to 1840, Alfred's mother, Ruth (Nash) Deen, died in Franklin County, TN and shortly thereafter, his father, John Deen, and several of his brothers and Deen family relatives, left Franklin County and headed southwest to the State of Texas. After his father and siblings left Franklin County, Alfred and Nancy sold their property and personal possessions in Franklin County. Instead of following Alfred's father and siblings to TX, they packed their belongings into two covered wagons, and then headed west to Benton County, AR.
After several months on the trail, Alfred, Nancy, and their two small sons finally arrived in Benton County, AR. After arriving there, they resided near Nancy's parents, Barnett and Sarah Forsyth. Shortly after arriving in Benton County, Alfred and Nancy purchased forty acres next to the old Barnett Forsyth family farm, and there, they were recorded in the 1840 Benton County, AR census report. According to the 1840 census report, Alfred and Nancy were residents there, and were living in the Osage Township next to Nancy's father, Barnett Forsyth.
The Franklin County, TN deed records of 1834 are the last known references to Alfred "Deen." He was reported as Alfred "Dean" after arriving in Benton County, AR and continued to use the surname "Dean" the remainder of his life.
After arriving in Benton County, it is not known how long they resided on the old Barnett Forsyth family farm near the Osage Township, however, according to the original land records of Benton County, AR in 1853 Alfred Dean purchased 39 & 86/100 acres in the southwest part of the northwest part of section 7 Township 20 north, range 29 west. This entry, recorded on page 33 in the original land records of Benton County, AR was followed by another entry recorded on page 61, which indicates that Alfred Dean, in 1858, purchased an additional forty acres in the northeast part of the southeast part of section 12, Township 20 north, range 29 west.
In 1853, Alfred apparently purchased two separate pieces of real estate in Benton County, AR because in 1853 he is also recorded on page 118 in the original and records of Benton County, as the purchaser of forty acres in the southwest part of the northeast part of section 12, Township 20 north, range 30 west. Then on page 118 Alfred is recorded as the purchaser of an additional forty acres in the southeast part of the northeast part of section 12, Township 20 north, range 30 west, and forty acres in the northeast part of the southeast part of section 12, Township 20 north, range 30 west. Alfred Dean is also recorded on page 118, as the purchaser of real estate in the southeast part of the northeast part of section 25, township 19, range 32, and in the southeast part of the southeast part of section 13, township 20 north, range 30 west, however, the actual number of acres was not recorded.
Alfred Dean soon became one of the County's most prominent and well respected citizens. After Benton County was established, Alfred and several of his Benton County neighbors, in 1842 organized the Twelve Corners Baptist Church near Pea Ridge, AR. Alfred and Nancy were charter members of Twelve Corners Church when it was held in upstairs of Elkhorn Tavern.
During the years following the Civil War, several descendants of Alfred and Nancy were interred in the Twelve Corners Cemetery and currently the cemetery is one of the better known cemeteries in Benton County, AR.
Alfred and Nancy may also be traced through the 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880 Benton County, AR Census reports living in Sugar Creek Township, Osage Township or Mount Vernon Township in Benton County, AR (Pea Ridge, AR). They had several more children born in Benton County, AR. All were born in the old three room log cabin home which was located near the Osage and Sugar Creek Townships in early Benton County, AR.
In the 1860 census Alfred and Nancy Dean were living next door to Nancy's father Barnett Forsyth, and on the other side was son William Dean. So the families were staying close together.
PROMINENT CITIZEN
Alfred Dean was a prominent citizen of early Benton County, AR. Prior to his election as County Coroner and his appointment as interim sheriff, Alfred's name appeared numerous times in the records of the Benton County Circuit, Chancery, County, and Probate Courts, and the Original Land and Deed Records. His name first appears on page #364 in Circuit Court Book "A," where on Monday, 15 June 1846 Alfred Dean and fifteen other good and lawful men of Benton County were summoned and empanelled to serve as Grand Jurors at a special called session of the June 1846 term of the Benton County Circuit Court. Alfred is next recorded on page #370 in Circuit Court Book "A," where on Monday, 17 May 1847 he and fifteen other good and lawful men were once again summoned and empanelled to serve as Grand Jurors at the May 1847 regular term of the Benton County Circuit Court.
Alfred probably served many more times as a juror in Benton County. During the 1840's and early 1850's many times the Court Clerk only recorded the jury foreman by name, and remainder of the jurors were recorded as simply, "fifteen good and lawful men of said county." Twice during his early years, he was elected the Benton County Coroner, serving for two terms, from 1860-1862 and 1864-1866. He also served as interim sheriff of Benton County from 1865- 1866.
In 1862 Alfred's personal friend, R.E. Doak, was elected to serve two years as the sheriff of Benton County, and during those two years, he served with distinction. In 1864, R.E. Doak was re- elected to serve another two years as the sheriff. In early 1865 he suffered a fatal heart attack, and his untimely death left Benton County with no acting sheriff. Because Alfred was considered to be R.E. Doak's personal friend, the Benton County Commissioners then requested he assume the unexpired term of R.E. Doak. Out of respect to R.E. Doak, Alfred accepted the position as Benton County Sheriff. Before accepting the position, he assured everyone that he did not intend to seek re-election as their sheriff. Apparently, Alfred kept his promise, because in 1866, after serving the remainder of the unexpired term of his personal friend Alfred retired as Sheriff of Benton County, AR.
Alfred's name also appears on pages 12, 44, 81, 83, 87, 103, 104, 113, 164, 165, 177, 210, 211, and 253 of County Court Record Book #2 in the County Court Records of Benton County, AR. Beginning on page #12 and ending on page #253, Alfred and several of his Benton County neighbors were appointed by the Court to oversee the maintenance of the dirt roads near their respective farms in Benton County.
Nancy was a housewife, as were most women in Benton County during the nineteenth century, and she was Alfred's loyal companion and best friend for over fifty years.
In the 1880 Benton County, AR census, Alfred and Nancy are reported living in the Sugar Creek Township, with their second son, William Barnett Dean, and his family. They listed their ages as 73 and 64.
TEXAS MIGRATION
After Alfred's children moved to Texas, he and Nancy expressed their desire to join them. William Barnett was opposed to uprooting his family and moving them to TX. During the subsequent months, Alfred and Nancy continued to express their desire to go to Texas. After several months of negotiations, William finally gave in to his parent's wishes, and in early 1885, he and his family, along with Alfred and Nancy, also moved to Wills Point, TX, where on 4 March 1885 Alfred gave to his beloved wife, Nancy, several monetary notes due him from his children. This document is recorded in deed book 31 on pages 589-590, and was recorded on 14 March 1885 only two months before Alfred's death.
Several Dean Family records indicate, in 1885, Alfred and Nancy's youngest son, Robert Alexander returned to Benton County, AR and helped his brother and parents prepare for their upcoming trip to TX. Prior to their trip, Robert Alexander and William Barnett purchased two large Schoonover covered wagons, then loaded all their Dean family belongings into the covered wagons and headed south toward the State of TX. Approximately ten days after leaving Benton County, AR the Dean family arrived safely in Texarkana, AR and there they spent a few days in the local wagon yard. In the early days, wagon yards were similar to today's motels. The Dean family rested there while the men went into town and purchased badly needed food and supplies. Family records also indicate, the Dean family brought with them from AR two of their best milch (milk) cows, four young pigs, and several crates of chickens and rabbits. Some Dean family descendants also remember their elder Dean relatives telling them that the Dean family's goats followed the family wagons all the way from Benton County, AR to Wills Point, TX.
ALFRED'S ILLNESS AND DEATH
After leaving Texarkana, Alfred suddenly became ill, and when his temperature rose abnormally high, his family became extremely concerned for his survival. Immediately, Alfred's two sons sought a nearby stream, and there they bathed their father in the cool water hoping to lower his temperature. According to several Dean family records, the Dean family camped beside this unknown stream for several days while caring for their aged father. In spite of their care, Alfred's condition remained unchanged. Apparently, Alfred's sons decided to head for the nearest town to seek medical attention for their father, because the family records also indicate they then traveled to New Boston, TX and attempted to get medical attention from a local physician. New Boston, TX was located in early Bowie County. After arriving there Alfred's son, William Barnett hoping to save the life of his critically ill father, sought the advice of a local physician. The physician resided several miles outside of town, and William was told the physician had been called to Texarkana and would not be returning soon. When informed of the physician's unavailability, William then inquired where he could locate another physician. He was told the nearest physician was located in nearby Mount Pleasant, TX. Immediately, William then headed toward Mount Pleasant, TX where he hoped to find another physician to examine his ill father. After traveling all night, the Dean family finally arrived in Mount Pleasant, and immediately sought the advice of a local physician. After examining Alfred, the physician was unable to determine the cause of his fever.
Tired and bedraggled from traveling day and night, the entire Dean family then decided to remain in Mount Pleasant, and rested for a few days before resuming their trek to Wills Point, TX. During the next few days, Alfred's condition remained unchanged, and soon William and Robert continued on their journey to Van Zandt County.
After another ten days on the trail, the Dean family wagons pulled into Wills Point and as soon as they arrived there a physician was summoned to examine Alfred. After the physician examined Alfred he determined that Alfred was simply suffering from the effects of senility (old age), and that the long and tiresome trip from Benton County, AR probably contributed to his weakened condition. He then advised the Dean family to keep Alfred in bed and to watch him closely for any signs of pneumonia. He feared if Alfred were to catch the dreaded pneumonia in his weakened condition, he would surely die.
Upon their arrival in Wills Point, Alfred and Nancy were immediately taken to the home of their daughter, Mary Ann "Mollie" (Dean) Hale. There, Alfred's condition gradually improved although he remained bedridden and often lapsed into unconsciousness for the next few months.. Alfred and Nancy resided with their daughter until their son, William purchased a house in Wills Point, and they then moved into his new home and lived with him and his family the remainder of their lives.
Alfred's improvement was short lived because within days, he contracted pneumonia, and evidently, the Dean family realized his condition was terminal. In March 1885 Alfred's last will and testament was drawn up in Wills Point, TX and was recorded on 14 March 1885 only two months prior to his death on 13 May 1885.
The last known documentation of Alfred and Nancy appears in the deed records of Van Zandt County, TX where on 4 March 1885 Alfred Dean gave to his beloved wife, Nancy, several monetary notes due him from his children. This document is recorded in the Van Zandt County, TX Deed Book #31 on pages #589-590.
Alfred finally succumbed to the effects of old age and pneumonia and died on 13 May 1885 in Wills Point, TX at the age of 77. Immediately after his death, his son, Robert purchased a plot in the old Wills Point Burial Grounds from the wife of the town's founder, Mrs. Mary Wills. This deed is also recorded in the Van Zandt County, TX Deed Records.
Funeral Notice
The relatives and friends of
Alfred Dean
Are requested to attend his funeral this evening
At 5 o'clock, from the residence of R.A. Dean.
The burial will be conducted with Masonic Honors Wills Point, TX,
May19th, 1885
Late in the afternoon of 13 May 1885, a funeral ceremony was held at the home of Alfred's son, William and according to the records of the Dean family, many of Alfred's "Dean" and "Deen" family relatives attended this ceremony. A local Methodist Minister was summoned to officiate at this ceremony. After reciting a brief tribute to Alfred; Alfred was then buried in the old Wills Point Burial Grounds, now known as the White Rose Cemetery in Wills Point, Van Zandt County, TX.
NANCY'S ILLNESS AND DEATH
After Alfred's death, Nancy continued living with her son, William Barnett and his family in Wills Point, TX. In her later years, Nancy became extremely feeble, and in 1893 was paralyzed after she suffered a paralytic stroke. Although paralyzed she still recognized members of her family, and always smiled whenever they entered her room..
During the months following the stroke, Nancy was given continuous care by her family members and during her convalescence her condition stabilized and even improved slightly. According to family records for several years thereafter, Nancy's condition remained unchanged. It was only through her strong will and determination that she was able to endure her paralysis. In early Jan 1896, Nancy's condition worsened, and in early Feb she suffered a massive cerebral stroke and lapsed into an unconscious state from which she never recovered. Throughout the remaining month of Feb Nancy remained comatose. After suffering a third stroke on 8 March 1896 she died in Wills Point, TX. She was 79.
She died in Wills Point, TX at the home of her son, William Barnett. Shortly after her demise, Nancy's immediate family and friends gathered in her son' s home and offered prayers of Thanksgiving for the life she had lived while here on earth. After this brief ceremony, Nancy was then interred in the White Rose Cemetery next to her beloved husband of 52 years, Alfred Dean. She was a highly respected citizen of Wills Point, TX, and was affectionately known as "Grandma Dean." It is also reported she was a good Christian woman and was a member of the M.E. Church for nearly sixty years.
The obituary of Nancy (Forsyth) Dean as recorded in the 12 March 1896 edition of the Wills Point Chronicle.
Mrs. Nancy Dean, mother of W.B. Dean of this place and H.L. Dean of Sherman, died at the residence of her son here Sunday, March 8th, at 12 o'clock M. The funeral services, conducted by Rev. Goodwin, were held Monday evening at the Methodist Church after which the remains were interred in the city cemetery. Grandma Dean was near four score years of age at the time of her death. For several years she has been an invalid, suffering from paralysis, but bore the affliction with true Christian fortitude. She had been a member of the M.E. Church south for nearly 60 years. With the entire community the Chronicle extends its sympathy to the bereaved family and relatives.
Alfred and Nancy are buried side by side in Block 4, Lot 1, in the White Rose Cemetery, in Wills Point, Van Zandt County, TX. Their second son, William Barnett Dean, is buried next to his mother, Nancy (Forsyth) Dean. Their daughter-in-law, Susan J. "Susie" (Hefner) Dean, the first wife of Robert Alexander Dean, and her infant daughter, Susie Dean, are buried nearby.
Alfred and Nancy's old style tombstones stand in excess of three feet tall. Time and the weather, has worn the old tombstones. The inscription on Alfred's tombstone reads, "In Memory of my Husband, Alfred Dean, born Apr 25, 1808; died May 13, 1885." Nancy's tombstone reads; "Nancy, wife of Alfred Dean, born 16 Dec in the year of our Lord 1816; died Mar 8 A.D. 1896.
CHILDREN
3: 1 John Wesley b 13 Dec 1833 in Franklin County, TN
3: 2 William Barnett "W. B." b 31 Mar 1837 in Franklin County, TN
3: 3 James Polk b circa 1841 in Benton County, AR
3: 4 Mary Ann (Mollie) b 13 Nov 1847 in Benton County, AR
3: 5 Lewis Caloway b circa 1848 in Benton County, AR
3: 6 Robert Alexander b 31 Aug 1850 in Benton County, AR
3: 7 Henry Lafayette b 4 Jan 1852 in Benton County, AR
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