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N. B. Fuqua brought his family to Kent County from San Saba County, arriving November 11, 1894. He had been a farmer and freighter there. The family settled three miles north of the present site of Jayton, where they lived in a double dugout. After coming to Kent, N. B. did some farming, having to haul their cotton to Aspermont to be ginned, then on to Abilene to be sold, making the long trip about twice a year, to buy supplies that were not carried by the grocery store in Clairmont.In the spring of 1896, the family moved to the Norman Rodgers Ranch on the Salt Fork of the Brazos. They were supposed to farm that year but did not understand the West Texas climate. After a long dry spell, it did rain, but they thought it too late to plant, so made no crop.
In 1897, they homesteaded a place twenty-five miles northwest of Clairmont on Red Mud Creek. Here their seven children were born and raised. They were Ed, Audrey, Mattie, Lon, Will, Addie and Jettie. The nearest doctor lived in Snyder, about fifty miles away, and for many years there were only four families in the community. N. B. farmed, freighted, and during this time, he hauled the lumber for the Boley Brown Ranch buildings. They lived here for twenty-five years. N. B. died in 1921, and was buried in the Red Top Cemetery, the only cemetery in the area. His widow lived in the old home until her death in 1927, when she was buried beside her husband. Many descendants are buried in this cemetery.
When the Fuquas´ first moved to the Red Mud Community, they lived in a dugout for a few years, then built a two room house with a shed room across the west side, they also dug a cistern and built a chimney onto the house. They had chickens, cows and hogs, and their living was mostly made at home. It was not easy going, but they trusted in the Lord, and were thankful.
Grandfather, M. D. Barnett, was a Civil War veteran and is buried in the Jayton Cemetery. He came to Kent County very early and could tell of the buffalos and the Indian fights. He spent much of his life here. Ed Fuqua married Edna Cross in 1905 and lived south of Spur. He was Commissioner of Precinct 1 for four years.
Birth dates, marriages, and information of other children of the N. B. Fuquas´ was not given.
Source:Copied from, Kent County and Its People 1983
Submitted by June Scott Fitzgerald
None submitted to date
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