SANKOFA'S SLAVERY DATA COLLECTION
Seven Oaks Plantation
Location: Madison Co., TX
Constructed: 1838
History: Patrick Lawson (aka H.) Hayes arrived in Texas in 1838 with 19 slaves and enough resources to acquire great tracts of land (7,100 acres). Patrick was born in Ballylanders Co., Limerick, Ireland in 1807. By 1850 he is known to be living in Leon Co. Texas with his wife Amanda (b. GA), daughters Mary (b. 1832) and Melissa (b. 1844); and sons James (b. 1846) and Hugh (b. 1848). The story goes that Mary was born in Ireland and followed Patrick to Texas at the age of 16, travelling by ship alone, in 1848. Life must have poised many hardships because by 1860 Patrick is once again a widow and his son James is also deceased. Patrick was killed in 1863 by one of his blooded horses he rasied and cherished. His 7,000 acre plantation survived the Civil War and was the home of his son Hugh, who married Susan Margaret Goree, in 1868. Seven Oaks supported more than 400 people, mostly former slaves and their descendants, until it was broken up and sold in 1903.
At the time of Patrick Hayes' untimely death, Dr. Pleasant Williams Kittrell became the executor of the estate and guardian of Patrick's children, Hugh and Melissa. That same year, 1863, Melissa Married Robert Daniel Goree (brother of Sudy and Thomas Goree). After her husband's death, Melissa married Dr. John W. Thomason and became the mother of John W. Thomason, Jr., the famed Marine Corps officer, illustrator, and author.
Notes: It should be noted that Madison County was formed in 1853 from Grimes, Walker and Leon Counties, Texas. Many years can be wasted looking in the wrong county because of changes in boundaries during the mid to late 1800s. Current day Gorees deny any association with Goree Island. Helen M. Ross
Associated Surnames: Bailey, Hayes
Associtated Plantations: Trinity Bend Plantation (Huston Co., TX)
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