Individual Details

Margaret Elizabeth Newman

(September 13, 1847 - August 13, 1917)

"Margaret Elizabeth Newman was born September 13, 1847 near Athens, McMinn County, Tennessee. William Armstrong, a sweetheart of Margaret Elizabeth Newman, volunteered December 11, 1862 and served with Company D, Fourth Regiment of Tennessee Cavalry Volunteers. He was discharge July 12, 1865 from the Union Army. Gracie Lee Armstrong Benson had his discharge in 1964 in her possession. Margaret Elizabeth Newman told the story that William Armstrong did not want to be conscripted by the Confederate Army. After retiring one night, William could not sleep for thinking about serving in the Confederate Army. He left home about midnight one night to join the Union Army. When Clifton Bradford Newman, father of Margaret Elizabeth, heard about William joining the Union Army, he told his daughter that she was never to see him again. William Armstrong fought in the Battle of Palmetto in southern Texas. This battle continued two weeks after the Civil War ended. Because of the lack of communication, they did not know the war was over until later.

"After the war was over, William told his commanding officer that he was going back to Tennessee and marry his sweetheart, then return to Texas to live. That is what he did, but by the time they returned to Texas, they had four children. Margaret Elizabeth married William Armstrong, January 24, 1866. He was born January 15, 1843 in Tennessee. William was the son of Jane Sloan and William Powell Armstrong. Margaret was a Baptist and William a Presbyterian. In the fall of 1877, they moved to Texas and settled at Savoy, Fannin County. Margaret Elizabeth and William made the trip by train, but a Mr. and Mrs. Culberson drove a loaded wagon of household goods and farm machinery for them. In 1879 and 1880, they lived about three miles from Van Alstyne, Grayson County, Texas. In 1881, they moved to Cooke County and settled twelve miles west of Gainesville, near Muenster. In October 1883, the family moved in two covered wagons to Montague County, Texas. William decided to settle here, for as he termed it, he "had found good sandy soil suitable for an orchard and flowers, good grass, and friendly people." Margaret Elizabeth died August 13, 1917 in Sunset, Montague County, and William died February 10, 1922 in Sunset, where both were buried." (THE CANTRILL - NEWMAN GENEALOGY, 1964, by Mrs W. E. Benson and Mrs. Jack Slayden, pages 273 and 274.)

Events

BirthSeptember 13, 1847near Athens, McMinn County, Tennessee
MarriageJanuary 24, 1866Athens, McMinn County, Tennessee - William Armstrong
DeathAugust 13, 1917Sunset, Montague County, Texas
BurialSunset Cemetery, Montague County, Texas

Families