Individual Details

The Asa Elliott Family

All of the children [of Nancy and Asa Elliott] were born in Cumberland County, Kentucky, except the last two, who were born in Texas. The "Old Kentucky Home" was located on Crocus Creek, a few miles from Burkesville. The family moved from the old state to Bell County, Texas in 1871. Other relatives and some friends made up a large caravan and the trip of over 1500 miles required several weeks of overland travel. The family settled on Elm Creek, a place which had been previously selected by my grandfather and an uncle who had come down the year before. This settlement was, at first, composed largely of the Elliott Families: Nathan, Tolliver, Tompkins, Michael my father and Grandfather Robert Elliott. this community was called by different names: Tompkinsville, Pendletonville, the post office as "Elm Creek" but was finally named Troy. My Uncle Tompkins conducted a general store and the Pendleton Brothers also, at one time, owned and operated a similar establishment, an old- fashioned country store. ( I have in my possession, one of the advertising cards dated 1875, and give a picture of "Moses in the Bull Rushes). After the advent of the railroad, the business part was moved to the new location and it took the name of Troy. At once the old town was dubbed Old Troy. J. W. Zimmerman had a store at Old Troy at that time.

My father lived at Old Troy until his death; his body was laid to rest in the Old Troy burial grounds on Christmas Day. My mother survived him many years, passing away at the home of my sister, Mrs. J. E. Brewster, May 5, 1915. She was buried at Temple, Texas, but later her remains were removed to the family burial grounds at Old Troy, and laid beside those of my father.

My father and mother were both members of the Christian church. Her father was a pioneer preacher in that church in Kentucky. My father and sister Lappie were baptized at the same time by Dr. W. L. Harrison, a Christina minister. My father served as an elder in the church for many hears; my mother, Aunt Nancy, as she was lovingly called by her friends, prepared the communion "loaf" for many years. She devoted her long life to the best interests of her children; they will never be [it ends abruptly, cut off after photocopying].

In Kentucky, Robert Elliott and his sons were large land holders and planters. They also operated a four mill and corn mill, the power being the old style water wheel. He owned a few slaves but gradually freed them and when the Civil War closed, he owned but one or two. One of these former slaves came to Texas with Nathan Elliott and lived for many years in Belton, Texas where he was engaged in the drayage business. He was familiarly called "Uncle Shed". I never knew his real name.

All of these first families moved from Kentucky to Texas in wagons, the trip requiring about ten weeks. There were neighboring families in the general caravan that left their old Kentucky homes to find a new land in Texas. The Elliotts settled on Elm Creek, the village at first was called Tompkinsville, after one of the members. Uncle Tompkins operated a small general store at the place for several years.

Robert Elliott was a man of large physique, quite energetic and active, even in this last years. He was always "BOSS" of his household and the men employed under him, giving orders to the men employed in a firm but kind manner. He was a stickler for keeping records of every event and transaction, even the dates of the breeding of his cows and sows and the dates of calving and farrowing. Upright and honorable in all his dealings, he bore a good and enviable reputation in Kentucky and Texas. He and his wife, Polly Kirkpatrick Elliott, were beloved by all who knew them. They are buried on the White Rock Hill opposite the old home on Elm Creek at Old Troy, Texas.

Asa C. Elliott, January 1, 1930

Genealogical Records of the Kirkpatrick Families, Compiled for Dr. S. B. Kirkpatrick By Asa C. Elliott, El Paso, Texas, 1942--Revised 1959 by Dr. B. A. Kirkpatrick, Taylor, Texas, page 59.