They who knew him best will bless his name
and keep his memory dear while life shall last.
(Inscription on John’s tombstone)
[First posted on previous platform August 2016.]
John C. Roberts was born on Christmas Day of 1837 in Winston County, Mississippi to Alexander Roberts and Sabra Vise. Alexander Roberts [first] came to Texas in 1836, and helped the Texans fight the battles of the Republic for nearly four years, being in many engagements with the enemy, the most noted of which was the Plum Creek fight. This was written in a book by Dan W. Roberts, son of Alexander and brother of John C., titled Rangers and Sovereignty (first published 1914).
Sabra, on the other hand, thought the Texas frontier unsafe for her family. She, more than once, returned with her children to Mississippi. The family, all together, finally settled at what soon came to be Caldwell County about 1843.
John C. was one of three Roberts boys to marry three Lincecum girls. His choice was Fernandella Brazoria “Della” Lincecum (1840-1933), daughter of Garland R. Lincecum and Emmaline Jones. They were married 9 August 1857 at Caldwell County. The couple went on to have six sons and one daughter: Jacob Garland, Alexander Chalmus, Daniel Brazos, Louada, James Travis, John B. J., and Sullivan Ross.
John C. Roberts was a farmer, and during the Civil War, a cattle driver. He died 25 March 1919 at his home “8 mi east of Lockhart” in Caldwell County, Texas. John C. was buried in Lincecum – Roberts Cemetery, sacred land originally owned by his father-in-law.
Individual Facts:
- Residence: 1839 / Texas
- Census: 11 November 1850 / Caldwell County, Texas
- Occupation: June 1860 / Stock Raiser at Caldwell County
- Census: 20 June 1860 / Lockhart, Caldwell County
- Occupation: August 1870 / Farmer at Caldwell County
- Census: 27 August 1870 / Lockhart, Caldwell County
- Occupation: June 1880 / Farmer at Caldwell County
- Census: 12 June 1880 / Caldwell County
- Occupation: June 1900 / Farmer at Caldwell County
- Census: 8 June 1900 / Caldwell County
- Occupation: May 1910 / Farmer of a General Farm at Caldwell County
- Address: May 1910 / Union Grove Road, Caldwell County
- Census: 10 May 1910 / Caldwell County
- Occupation: October 1914 / Farmer at Caldwell County, but not able to work
- Address: October 1914 / RFD #1, Dale, Caldwell County
Notes:
- According to the 1870 Caldwell County, Texas Federal census, J. C. could not read or write.
- From October 1914 Indigent Pension Application (No. 28601) of John C. Roberts:
When asked of what state was his command, he replied with Texas. John went on the say: “Enlisted at Austin July 1863. Served until May 1865…Was immediately detailed to serve in Subsistence Department and was put to work gathering cattle for Luckett’s Regiment. My entire time was put in driving Beeves for the command. I did not serve in any company as a soldier.”
A Mortuary Warrant submitted by D. B. Roberts, John’s son, states John died of heart disease at home. - John’s wife also submitted paperwork regarding his death as part of her Confederate Widow’s Pension Application. Image above, detailing burial expenses, was included.
Visit John Calhoun Roberts’s page in the Lincecum Lineage database.
The Ranger & His Wife:
Two Accounts of the Early Days of the Texas Rangers by a Married Couple
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Stephanie Lincecum Genealogy 