Jesse Blackwell Jr. was born 29 Jun 1784 in Virginia to Jesse and Mary (Crow) Blackwell. Around 1800 Jesse Sr. and Mary moved their family to Missouri. There are land and tax records of the Blackwells living in many Missouri counties. They settle in Washington County in 1803. Jesse Mr. married Polly Boring (born 25 Jun 1787) at her father's home on Big River, Washington County, Missouri on 15 Sep 1807.

According to "Our Lead Belt Heritage", Jesse Blackwell Jr. served in the War of 1812 as a captain of Company B, 1st Battalion of Missouri. There also was also a young man named Stephen F. Austin serving as an ensign of Company A.

In 1812, Jesse and Polly had their first child, Evaline. She was followed by Mary A. in April 1814. A son named William A was born 11 Apr 1817. During this period, Jesse was an election judge for the Breton Township.

During the 1820s, Jesse Blackwell, Jr. was in Washington and St. Francois Counties. It is believed that several more children were born to Jesse and Polly, however, records have not been found for the births of Missouri, James, or Laburs. Harriet was born 23 Nov 1828 and is my g-g-grandmother.

The family then moved to Greene County, Missouri and Jesse is mentioned on tax lists. The last child, Jesse Thomas, was born 2 Dec 1832. Court and administration records of Newton County mention Jesse Blackwellin 1839. Then in 1840, Jesse's family is counted in the Newton County census. Jesse was a respected citizen and had an honorary title of "Major" according to "History of Greend County."

Jesse moved his family to Texas in 1844. They first settled in Walker County and he is named in "Republic of Texas Poll Lists for 1846". They moved to Caldwell County between 1847 and 1850. Daughters Evaline and Mary had both married while in Missouri. It is not clear whether Mary and her husband came to Texas; they died in Missouri. By the 1850 census, three of their children were living with William Blackwell and his wife in Gonzales County. Jesse and Polly with son, Jesse Thomas, are listed in Caldwell County, along with daughter, Evaline and her family. Daughter, Harriet, is listed in Polk County with her family.

Caldwell county record books show that Jesse was the grantee on a deed in 1850. Also found, in 1856, the recorded pruchase of 398.8 acres for $1,000, adjacent to Lewis Way and Ben Sites. Jesse's will is recorded in 1855 and mentions his wife, Polly, and the following children: Evaline Teas, Mary Campbell, William A. Blackwell, Harriet Sanders, and Jesse Thomas Blackwell. Polly continued to live with her youngest son, now known as Thomas. She died after 1870. Jesse and Polly Blackwell are buried in Blackwell Cemetery. Their marker reads: "Early pioneers came to Texas in 1844 from Missouri".

Children of Jesse and Polly Blackwell: 1) Evaline, b 1812, married on 18 Apr 1830 Samuel Teas, 2) Mary A., b Apr 1814, married 16 May 1832 Junius T. Campbell; 3) William A., b 11 Apr 1817; married in 1848 Hannah, 4) Harriet, b 23 Nov 1828, d 14 Jul 1890, married 1) 7 Jan 1847 John Sanders, married 2) 17 Feb 1857 Benjamin Sites, and 5) Jesse Thomas, b 2 Dec 1832, d 12 Jan 1901, married 7 Feb 1856 Nancy Keese.

Source - Caldwell County Kin: The First 150 Years published by the Genealogical and Historical Society of Caldwell County, November 2000

Updated 08/28/2013