Robert A. (Austin) "Uncle Bob" Pollard

Age: 87

Title: Additional Information
Text:

This information taken from a book written by Juanita Daniel Zachry, titled "Potosi"...the First One Hundred Years." Copied here this day...April 28, 2005/ln

SETTLING UP...

Settling up meant working and sharing, neighboring and extending a welcome to newcomers. Hardly had Tom Lindley and Lo Fletcher become settled in the Cove, when they were joined by a new neighbor. This man was R.A. (Bob) Pollard, and the time was November, 1878. He settled five or six miles to the northeast of the Lindleys and Fletchers in the flatlands.

The Pollard homesite was directly north of the present village near Lytle Creek and is now owned by Kit Johnson. The original tract comprised one hundred and sixty acres, and the land was patented from the State of Texas.

Quoting from an early patent the following information is given regarding state lands being set aside for sale.

"Said land having been purchased and partly paid for under an act to provide for the sale of lands granted to the Deaf and Dumb, Lunatic and Blind Asylums, approved April 25th, 1874."

For various reasons landowners often did not file their patents with the public recorder for several years after the property was acquired.

Governor L.S. Ross signed the document on August 4, 1888, which gave R.A. Pollard legal title to his land. The paper was not filed for record until July 25, 1893. (Volume G. page two hundred and sixty-four, Taylor County Patent Records.)

Shortly after arriving in Lytle, Bob Pollard was joined by a brother, F.T. Pollard, who acquired 160 acres to the south of him. This tract embraced all the land from Bob Pollard's south fence line (the present south cemetery line) to Farm Road 1750. His home was the present Bill Donald home, and the original house was built by F.T.Pollard.

Both brothers contributed much to the development and growth of the new country. From the F.T. Pollard tract, land for the first school was deeded.

The south 80 acres of the original tract was later sold by F.T. Pollard to Allen Williams. This 80 acres extended from the present south cemetery line to 1750, and west to the Ottis Webb east property line.

The Pollard brothers married sisters. The two Mrs. Pollards were sisters of Allen Williams, early day Potosi merchant, and W.S. (Willie) Williams, father? of Maude Nesmith and Howard Williams.

Bob, who was the elder of the Pollard brothers, possessed great energy and influence. He was held in high esteem among the bankers, and the church, the latter of which he was so much a vital part. Many young men recalled his influence in assisting them in credit buying.

Bob Pollard was a great horseman and quickly made friends with other settlers interested in horses. One of these was Mal Shelly, whose home was near Dudley. Mal was an older brother of George Shelly, who was killed in 1879, and whose monument still stands off Highway 36 on the Dr. V.H. Sh...? place. Mal Shelly kept a number of horses and was active in trading. He and Bob Pollard shared a common interest and spent many hours together on the open range. Grazing was free and cattle ran together. Every man had his own brand, and there were no fences or corrals.

Mr. Pollard saw the need of a corral for himself and the settlers, and he set about to build one on his farm. Bob and his brother built the corral in 1879. It was made of post oak logs and originally was six feet high. The corral was used primarily for horses, but some cattle were penned there. This being the only open pen in the area, it became a popular place for branding cattle. Mr. Pollard shared generously its use with his neighbors.

A portion of this fence is still standing on the Kit Johnson place, but has become impractical for use. The original corral was twice the size of the part that remains. The portion used for horses completely deteriorated with the years, and of necessity had to be removed. Until recent years the old snubbing post used to tie the animals in the center of the corral remained.

It is believed that the Bob Pollard home was the first house to be built in the Potosi flatlands. Mr. Pollard and a nephew of his wife (a son of Allen Williams), built the house. Many creek bed rocks were hauled out of Lytle for the building.

The 12x16 foot kitchen was built completely of rock except for the shed roof. The foundation of all the house was rock, which constituted much work. In fact, when the house was in the beginning stage, the foundation was laid twice.

This fact was discovered accidentally by Kit Johnson. Shortly after buying the place he was digging in his yard and uncovered an extensive layer of rock. Being curious as to why a layer of rock would be away from the house, Johnson dug further. He unearthed layers and layers of rock, all in an even line. Unable to determine their origin, Kit questioned Miss Rose (Rose Pollard), the former owner.

She explained that her father was was guided in his sighting by the north star. It seemed a surveyor came through the country about this time. He found true north for Mr. Pollard, and the foundation was laid off again, this time by section lines. The work had to begin again, a few feet to the east.

The rock foundation of the 16x16 foot fireplace room rested on a double line of oak logs. The fireplace (which is still usable) was built of rock from Lytle Creek. The original house faced south and consisted only of a front porch, the fireplace room and the kitchen. The little room known as "Uncle Dick Bright's room" was built several years later, when he came to stay with the Pollards.

The home place was never sold during Bob Pollard's lifetime. It came to Rose Pollard through legacy, and was sold the first time when it was purchased by the Johnsons. The south eighty acres of the tract was heired by Kydie Smothers (formerly Kydie Pollard). She sold this acreage to M.C. Bynum, and it is now owned by Charlie Bynum.

Bob Pollard wanted Lytle to have a postoffice of its own. In 1893, he made application to the postoffice department in Washington for a permit under the name of Lytle. The permit was not granted because of a duplication of the name. Mr. Pollard was asked to submit another name for the postoffice. Miss Rose Pollard once told of her father's search through books endeavoring to find a name with originality. He came upon the name of Potosi while reading about Mexico. This he decided was original enough. Again the application was sent off, and this time it was approved. The postoffice was officially opened and named Potosi July 19, 1893.

The village too became known by this name, but the school between the churches remained Lytle until 1897. The area nearer the mountain still was called Lytle Cove.

The first postoffice was in the home of F.T. Pollard, which is the property now owned by Bill Donald. Fanchee (should be "Fouche") T. Pollard was the first Postmaster, appointed July 19, 1893.

R.A. Pollard was a long time leader and teacher with the Baptist Church in Potosi, and a section of his land was purchased and used for the first cemetery located in Potosi also.

Title: Some Potosi History
Text:

These additional notes and information taken from a booklet written by Mrs. Juanita Daniel Zachry, a one-time resident of Potosi, whose book is entitled "Potosi-The First One Hundred Years." Noted here this day...April 28, 2005/ln

Many of the settlers came here in covered wagons bringing their belongings with them. With good luck a wagon train could make the trip from Dallas to Abilene in eight days. If sheep were being driven, a full six weeks was needed.

New residents sometimes shipped their possessions in an Immigrant car. These cars could be rented and shipped to any point in Texas for $48 dollars. When several of these cars were included in a twenty-car freight, it took two steam engines to pull the train up Mount Aire, west of Baird.

Settlers were told glowing tales of the West. A Taylor County enthusiast boasted that there was only one cemetery here and in it there was only one grave. This grave was that of an East Texas undertaker who came here and died of starvation.

Early residents claim they could always tell which way settlers were traveling by examining their campsites. If there were peach seed, chicken bones and corn cobs, they were traveling west. If dried beans and rabbit bones were found, the newcomers had starved out and were going back east.

Uncertainties, fear and often dangers were encountered by early travelers. The small amount of money the family had often was hid in a horse-collar. A hole was cut in the collar, the padding pulled out and the money placed in the opening. A patch was placed over the hole. The story was told of a man who was coming to Taylor County, hiding his money in this manner. At nightfall he unhitched the team and threw the harness across the wagon tongue. Bandits came in and searched their camp and knocked their belongings about but never once examined the horse collar.

The settlers who came and stayed participated in events that made history in the churches and schools, and many played roles in the happenings that characterized the old West.

One of these was the cattle drives. Actually the main trail bypassed Lytle and did not come nearer than three or four miles to the west. It is believed the nearest trail came through Buffalo Gap and followed roughly the pattern of the Abilene-Coleman road.

The cattle trail was sometimes a mile across or wider. If soil was soggy, the herd spread out. Prairie dogs kept the trees cut. The drive started in early Spring and moved slowly, covering about eight or ten miles a day. The cattle grazed as they went along and were fat when they reached market.

Another chapter in Potosi history concerns the cemetery. In January 1902,

the slope just north of the little village of Potosi by Lytle Creek was a bleak, barren pasture. A few scrubby mesquite and one small oak were here. The soil was rocky, and erosion had carved small ravines in broken uneven patterns down the slope.

The ground was spotted with stubby wisps of dead grass. There was no fence, and cows roamed across the site at will. The spot was a pasture-land belonging to R.A. Pollard.

Further up the road (on the present Roscoe Vinson place) north of the Pollards, Mr. and Mrs. W.S. Chinn and their family lived. Aria, the Chinn's six-year-old daughter, was not a healthy child. The family had lived here two years when she became seriously ill. Aria Chinn died on the night of January 29, 1902; the exact cause of her death was unknown to her family.

The next morning it was necessary for the family to make plans for the funeral. Seaton was the nearest cemetery, and the parents disliked burying their little girl so far away from home.

Two neighbors, M.C. Bynum and Mrs. Elizabeth Nesmith (mother of Will and Sherill), were present and heard the discussion. They felt the need of a cemetery for Potosi. Mr. Bynum and Mr. Chinn went to the R.A. Pollard home and asked to buy the two acres by the road where the creek winds around. Mr. Pollard agreed to sell the acreage for twenty-five dollars. Bynum, Chinn and Mrs. Nesmith paid for the land at the time of purchase. The day following the funeral the people of the community reimbursed the three in part, so that all might have a part in the purchase.

Immediately after the purchase, friends went with Mr. Chinn to the newly acquired cemetery to choose a spot for the little grave.

" Mr. Chinn chose this place," said Will Nesmith recently as he stood at Aria Chinn's grave under the tree in the cemetery known as "The Big Oak". "He believed the small oak would one day shade his little girl's grave. Today the branches of the big tree have a spread of thirty-six feet.

When Aria Chinn was laid to rest on this cold, bleak, January afternoon, her father lingered at the grave. The bite of the winter wind was sharp and cutting, and the sun shone wanly through broken clouds. Mr.. Chinn spoke to his friends there who tarried with him. "I hate to leave her here alone with no fences, and the cattle walking about."

His friends shared his sentiments. The next morning they met at the spot with materials and erected a three-wire fence around the two-acre plot that comprised the original section of the Potosi cemetery. The Sunday following the Chinn funeral two other burials were held in the Potosi cemetery. These were for Mrs. Sallie Gilbreth and an infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Smothers.

Caskets in the early days sometimes were homemade. Willard Vinson recalls his grandfather Boyd making a small casket for an infant buried in the Potosi cemetery. "The men always kept some white pine up under the house for this purpose," Mr. Vinson related. He remembered his grandfather heating a kettle of boiling water and pouring on the pine for easy shaping. "Both black and white cloth was kept on hand by the women folks in their trunks," he said. "This was used for lining and cover." If no grave box was available, the sides of the grave were lined in white linen cloth and fastened to the dirt walls with nails. Leather straps or wagon lines were used as a lowering device. The hack or wagon, serving as a funeral coach, was spread with soft blankets, and sheets were used for covering.

Title: Obituary for Robert Austin Pollard
Text:

R.A. Pollard, Confederate Vet Dies Near Potosi...

R.A. (Uncle Bob) Pollard, 87, a resident of Taylor County for 52 years and of Texas for 77 years, succumbed at his home near Potosi at 7:15 o'clock Wednesday morning, following an extended illness. His daughters, Mrs. H.C. Smothers of Gladstone, New Mexico, and Miss Rose Pollard of Potosi were at his bedside when the aged Confederate veteran died.

Funeral services will be held at the Potosi Baptist church Thursday morning at 11 o'clock, with interment in the Seaton Cemetery near Potosi. The Rev. George W. Parks of Roscoe and the Rev. M.F. Richardson of Ellasville, Baptist ministers, will officiate. Mr. Pollard's mother, his wife and a son and a daughter are interred in the Seaton Cemetery.

Was Mississippian...

Born in Pontotoc Co., Mississippi, August 25, 1842, R. A. Pollard came to Texas with his parents in 1852, settling n Coryell county. He was married to Mrs. Emily Williams Boren September 26, 1877, and with his wife came to Taylor county in December, 1873. He had made his home on the same farm since that time. Mrs. Pollard succumbed 35 years ago.

Mr. Pollard served during the Civil War in First Texas Cavalry under Captain Combs, enlisting from Coryell county. During the first year of the war he was in the Texas Ranger service.

May Franks Pollard, born in 1879 in Taylor county, succumbed in 1882. Robert Aubrey Pollard, born in 1890, died at the age of ten years. Besides his daughters, Mr. Pollard is survived by one brother, F.T. Pollard of Peoria, Ariz., and two sisters, Mrs. T.J. Scott of Ireland, Texas, and Mrs. Will White of Orange. Because of their age, F.T. Pollard and Mmes. Scott and White will be unable to attend services here.

Mr. Pollard had been a member of the Baptist Church since the late 80's, having been converted during a revival held in Abilene by Major Penn. Mr. Pollard's membership was first in Abilene church, later moved to Seaton and had been in the Potosi Baptist church since its organization. He had been active deacon for many years until his last illness.

Mrs. R.E. Brookshire of Abilene is a distant relative of Mr. Pollard.

The Laughter Undertaking company is in charge of arrangements.

And another small obit...

SUCCUMBS AT POTOSI HOME...

"Two Pioneers of West Texas were claimed by death in Taylor county today.

R.A. Pollard, 87, died at 7:15 this morning at his home near Potosi. He came to Texas 77 years ago and had been a resident of West Texas for more than half a century. He was a Texas Ranger during the first year of the war between the states and served three years in the Confederate Army. His daughters, Mrs. H.O. Smothers of Gladstone, New Mexico, and Miss Rose Pollard of Potosi were at his bedside when the aged Confederate veteran died.

"WILL YOU LOVE ME WHEN I'M OLD"?

I would ask of thee my darling

a question soft and low,

That gives me many a heartache

As the moments come and go.

Your love, I know is truthful,

But the truest love grows cold,

It is this that I would ask you,

Will you love me when I'm old?

Life's morn will soon be waning

and its evening bells be tolled,

But my heart will know no sadness

If you'll love me when I am old.

Down the stream of life together

We are sailing side by side,

Hoping some bright day to anchor

Safe beyond the surging tide;

Today our sky is cloudless,

But the night may clouds unfold,

And the storms gather round us...

Will you love me when I'm old?

When my hair shall shame the snowdrift

and my eyes shall dimmer grow

I would lean upon some loved one

In the valley as I go.

I would claim of them a promise,

Worth to me a world of gold,

It is only this my darling,

Will you love me when I'm old?

Title: More Information on Robert Austin Pollard
Text:

SEVENTY YEARS IN TEXAS by J.M. Franks, 1924, Gatesville, TX, p. 33, states that Bob Pollard was among those engaged in fight in Nov. 1861 with Comanche Indians on the head of the Pease River.

SEVENTY YEARS IN TEXAS by J.M. Franks, 1924, Gatesville, TX, p. 82-83, names Bob Pollard as one from Coryell Co. in Capt. Frank Colman's company in the Civil War.

I REMEMBER CALLAHAN: HISTORY OF CALLAHAN COUNTY TEXAS, Callahan Co., Historical Commission, Hicks A. Turner, ed., 1986, p. 6, "Other settlers and ranchers who pushed into the area and established ranching interests were...Bob Pollard...".

Bob Pollard and his wife are buried at Seaton Cemetery in Callahan Co. On his gravestone: "He died as he lived, a Christian." To get to Seaton Cemetery in Callahan Co., TX, go to SE from Abilene n Hwy. 36; pass through east edge of Potosi and continue on 36 for a short distance, approx. 1 mi., and turn left on county rd. 232; go a shorter distance on that dirt road and turn right; Seaton Cem. will be on the left. No sign, it has a cyclone fence, red ant beds, cedars and mesquites. Seaton Cem. is not in Taylor Co....is east of the county line in Callahan Co.

R.A. Pollard served in Civil War in First Texas Cavalry under Captain Combs. During the first year of the war he was in the Texas Rangers.

1880 Census:

Census Place: Precinct 2, Taylor, Texas

Source: FHL Film 1255328 National Archives Film T9-1328 Page 280D

RelationSex Marr RaceAgeBirthplace

R.A. POLLARD Self M M W 38 MS

Occ: Stock RaiserFa:---Mo---

E.T. POLLARD wife FM W 26 TX

Occ: Keeping House Fa: LAMo:IA

F.M. POLLARD DauFSW 7MTX

Fa: MS Mo: TX

More about Robert Austin Pollard:

Census: 1850, Hempstead Co., AR Robert 8 yrs., as son of Thomas B. Pollard

I have copies of Tax Receipts, different dates and years, for R.A. Pollard personal property...160 acres, all duly paid.

Title: Civil War Info.
Text:

Robert A. Pollard:

Side: Confederate

Regiment: Texas

Regiment Name: Yager's Texas Cav.

1st Regiment, Texas Cavalry *Yager's) 1st Mounted Rifles

Film number: M227 roll 29

"R.A. joined the Texas Cavalry (Texas Rangers) and fought with the Confederacy during the Civil War, making Captain before returning home. Named the town of Potosi, Texas."

In my possession are copies of Confederate Regimental Descriptive Book sheets, as well as Company Muster Rolls, with different dates and information, all related to Robert A. Pollard, dated from 1862-1864. These are located in my Pollard genealogy family files./ln

The following information kindly provided by Karen Theofanides, from her Pollard genealogy files, and gratefully noted here this day...3/10/2008

/ln

"Soldiers Application for a Pension"...

R.A. Pollard

Filed 8/30/1921

Approved Sept 1, 1921

Pension allowed from Sept 1, 1921

Lou A. Smith, Commissioner of Pensions.

Title: More Potosi History
Text:

This information sent by Betty Wilson (blwilson510@yahoo.com). This is something she found on-line, and shared it with me.

"The Handbook of Texas ONLINE"....

Potosi, Texas. Potosi is on Farm Road 1750 nine miles southeast of Abilene in eastern Taylor County. Its site was settled by the Pollard family in the 1870s. A Southern Methodist church was built in 1880, burned down in 1884, and was rebuilt. School was held in the church from 1891 until a one-room schoolhouse was built in 1897. In 1893 R.A. Pollard applied for a post office and chose the name Potosi, after the town in Mexico. By 1896 Potosi had an estimated 100 inhabitants, and in 1902 the Potosi school had ninety-three pupils and one teacher.

The Baptist church of nearby Lytle Cove moved to Potosi in 1904, and in 1914 the community had a general store, two blacksmith shops, a cotton gin, and a dry-goods store. By 1940 Potosi consisted of eighty residents, a school, a church, four businesses, and a number of dwellings. Its population fell to twenty in the 1950s, then rose to 149 in 1968. In 1984 Potosi had two churches, a number of dwellings, a community center, and a church. It grew dramatically in the late 1980s and reported a population of 1, 441 by 1992.

Bibliography: Juanita Daniel Zachry, A History of Rural Taylor County (Burnet, Texas: Nortex, 1980). Juanita Zachry, Potosi, The First One Hundred Years (Abilene, Texas, 1967).

The following, adapted from the Chicago Manual of Style, 15th edition, is the preferred citation for this article.

Handbook of Texas Online, s.v. "," http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/PP/hlp43.html

(accessed June 25, 2007).

(Note: "s.v." stands for sub verbo, "under the word.")

The Handbook of Texas Online is a joint project of the General Libraries at the University of Texas at Austin (http://www.lib.utexas.edu) and the TExas State Historical Association, 1997-2001

Last updated: June 6, 2001

Title: More Obituary Information
Text:

This taken from the booklet printed for his funeral...

In Loving Remembrance of...

R.A. Pollard

Died January 1, 1930

Age 87 years.

"Gone but Not Forgotten"

A precious one from us has gone

A voice we loved is stilled;

A place is vacant in our home,

Which never can be filled.

God in His wisdom has recalled

The boon his love had given,

And though the body slumbers here,

The soul is safe in Heaven.

Title: More History of the Pollards in Potosi
Text:

This section also taken from "100 years of Potosi History"...I only have assorted pages, so until I receive my copy of the book, will just list what I have./ln

The Methodists has just finished their new building in late summer of 1906 on the lot adjoining on the south, S.R. Murphee, a Baptist member and building contractor, finished this building and began work on the Baptist building in November, 1906. The Baptist added another one-half acre (lacking two feet) to their property on November 8, 1906. (Volume Eleven Page 576, Taylor County Deed Records.)

The first service, which was the dedication service, was held in the new building in February, 1907. Pastor W.B. Davis preached the dedication sermon. The invocation was led by F.S. Roundtree, and J.P. Welch led the dedication prayer.

Before the new building was erected, the spiritual life of the church was great. A revival meeting preached by evangelist John Hardesty in August, 1906, resulted in fifty-five additions to the church. Twenty-nine of these were for baptism, and twenty-six came by letter from the BMA Baptist group in the community. BMA doctrine was the same as Convention Baptist, but there was a difference in beliefs in Convention methods. J.P. Welch was pastor of the BMA Baptist, and at this revival he and all his members, with the exception of two or three who were not present, united with the Convention or Southern Baptist at Potosi. W.B. Davis was pastor at this time.

Interest continued to be good and according to church records was at its highest peak of any time in the church history.

A March 25, 1905 minute tells again of a Sunday School being organized. This would lead us to believe that the Sunday School organized in the Cove may have ceased to function for a few years. Lucian Webb was again elected Superintendent and was given the authority to select his teachers. He chose the following for the first Sunday School teachers in the new church: Class Number one, Brother L.D. Reed, Class Number two, Sister Will Harvey, Class Number three, Sister Rose Pollard, Class Number four, Sister Oberta Bright, Class Number five, Sister Geneva Gilbreth.

Lucian Webb served as Superintendent for seventeen years, until he moved away in December, 1922. Mr. Lucian was known for his faithfulness in attendance and observance of the time limit. He would start services on time if only he and a few others were present.

In 1916, when the two-story school between the churches was moved, the Baptist church bought the north acre of the two-acre school plot for thirty dollars. (Volume ninety-one page sixty-nine Taylor County Deed Records.) This increased the church to its present two acres.

In 1921 the membership raised the pastor's salary to six hundred dollars per year. In November, this same year a BYPU was first organized, and members adopted a budget system in the church program. Saturday night preaching services were disbanded in February, 1922, and it is not known if they were held after this date.

Many names appear on the list of long-time teachers and leaders. Among these are R.A. Pollard, R.S. Bright, Lucian and Luther Webb, D.J. Hollingshead, J.P. Welch, Rose Pollard, M.A. Williams, Mrs. J.P. Davis, Mrs. W.E. Clark and Mrs. D.A. Pace.

This page continues here...but I am unable to read it. I will continue this section when I receive my copy of the book./ln

Title: Civil War "Letters home"
Text:

I note these 3 letters here in the hopes that it will help shed some light into what R.A. Pollard as a young man went through during the Civil War...his thoughts and feelings. These were provided by Kydie Smothers McKee, Don Smother's daughter, and I note them here this day...7/22/2007/ln

(Note: I will use his exact spelling, etc., so as not to change the flavor of the letters.)

Letter # 1

San Antonio

January the 6th 1863

Dear Mother I seat myself this morning to let you know I am well at this time and hope when these few lines comes to hand they will find you injoying the same like blessing.

I sent you a letter on Christmas Day. I run off and went to San Antonio Christmas night and they had roll call while I was gone and they caught me, Tom ??? and Eli and John Hammack and Dick Smalley was with me and about 40 others and when we came back they put us in the guard house and we have been in there ever since. The old major will let any of us out that will take this kind of an oath you will sware that you will anser all questions that may be put to you and tell the truth and that you will not in no way fight nor did not help destroy any property. But I will not take any oath about it nor none of our company. Some of the others have got scared and taken it. The officers says that they can not hurt us. They say that old Taylor has laid himself liable in swarring the other boys. Old Taylor is a perfect tyrant. We petitioned him to resine and he said that General Bee would not let him resine and now the officers is a to send a petition to General Bee to let him resine and then I think they will send the old fellow up.

The pout (sp) you need not be oneary about us for the captain says they can not hurt us. I would have wrote sooner but I could not get the chance. I could not get the paper. They will not let us go to town. We are a going to move tomorrow to the ring?? to Ringgold Barracks. It is about 250 miles from here. I will write as soon as I get there so that you can no where to write. Do not be uneasy about us for they will not hurt us. We are not confined at all. We have to go to roll call twice a day and then we go where we please. I heard that we would be set afoot tomorrow but I do not no whether it is so or not. I hope it is not so. I want you to write to me as sure as you get this. Write to San Antonio the letters will be forwarded on to us anyhow. I must come to a close. Tell Tom to write to me one time if he pleases and I will do the same. Kiss niny for me and tell Fanchee to be good boy. So. farewell. Write as soon as you get this. When this you see, remember me. Though many miles apart we be. I will send you some paper to write to me. Jane said that you have none.

R.A. Pollard

to his mother Mrs. Lydia Pollard

Good by

Letter #2...

Camp Caracitas

April the 3.. AD 1863

Dear Mother I seat my self this morning to drop you a few lines to let you no that I am well at this time and hope when these few lines comes to hand they will find you injoying the same good blessing. I have nothing of importance to rite to you. I get so lonesom that I cannot stand hardly. I would rite every day if I could think of any thing to rite. I heard that General Jackson had taken New Orleans. I hope it is so (if he has) that is a good prospect of peace. They think here that peace will be made shortly. I heard yesterday that we would be carried back on the frontier. I do not no whether it is so or not but it would pleas me very well. I would rather stay on the frontier too years than to stay here six months. I heard that the indians was playing smash up there. Cates got a letter from wise county and they said that the indians had killed five men up there where they had not bin in five years before. I am fraid that they will make another break on Coryell county. Every thing is high here. Confederate money is worth 20 cts. on the dollar. You can get common tobacco for three dollars a plug and good tobacco four dollars.

A man cannot make any thing here above. They pay us off every two months and we spind nearly all of what we draw from one draw to the other. I went to Brownsville the other day and twenty five dollars and got me a hat and a cup and some tobacco and I do not no what and some other little trick, I have got one hundred and fifty dollars now. I want you to rite to me what the people says about the frontier redgement if they are a doing any good. Rite whether David Franks has come home or not and if he has tell him to rite to me. Tell Tom to be sure and answer that letter that I wrote to him. Write all the news in the cuntry. I was glad to here that you had planted corn. Corn will be worth something next yer. There is so little planted. Our horses has not come in yet but I heard from them the other day there was one of our men came in. He said that the boys that was out there had a fight with the mexicans. The mexicans was a going to rob a citizen and he came to them for help and they went, seven of the boys and they divided and 3 went to one house and 4 to the other. The 3 came to the house where the Mexicans was and the mexicans shot one of our men dead on the spot and the other two made there escape. The other 4 of our men herd the guns and came and killed five of the mexicans and two got away. There was seven of the mexicans there was none of our boys hurt but Dr. pain of Capt Harrises Company. He was shot through the heart. They robbed him of every thing he had. The boys said that my horse was fat. I must come to a close Write as soon as you get this. Nothing more at present only remain you affectionate son so farewell.

R.A. Pollard to his mother

Lydia Pollard

Dear Mother Dr. Smalley says that he wants you to write something about his family he says he cannot hear anything about them he has rote and he cannot get an answer. He says to tell his wife if there is any paper in that cuntry to rite him one letter if she pleases.

Letter # 3...

In camp near Alexandra...

November the 20 1864

Dear Mother I once more seat myself to drop you a few lines in answer to yours of the first of October. I was glad to hear from you. I received it day before yesterday. The second letter that I have got since I left there. I began to think that I never would get any more letters. Well I am in good health now and hope when these few lines comes to hand they will find you all enjoying the same blessing. Well I have no news of importance to write to you I suppose that you have heard that we was released I have wrote several letters since but I do not know whether they got there or not. The mail is so irregular that it is an accident if a letter goes well. I have been in bad health ever since I left home until about 3 weeks ago. I commenced mending and I never mended so fast in my life. Well I suppose that you have heard that Eli being elected 3rd Leiutenant of our company since he has been released he is an officer that shows whether the company thinks we done wrong in coming home or not. Eli ran against two men that waited and took there furlough and got more votes than both of them. Well theres been a great deal of rain here this fall and we have had an awful time. The mud is about shoe mouth deep all the time. We have had to ly out and take it until about 3 weeks ago. We moved into some old negro quarters and we have done very well ever since. But I do not no how long we will stay here. There was some talk about taking us to Tyler to guard prisoners but I do not think that we will go. I would like to go there just to get out of LA. I would rather be anywhere that I ever was in my life than to be here. You said that you wanted to send me some clothing. You need not trouble yourself about me. I will make out. I got one pare of woolin pants that I left when I went home and expect to get the other before long. One of the men that taken them has come back and the other will come shortly. Well you must excuse my bad writing for my pen is bad and the paper has been wet. Well I want you to write to me what has become of brother Thomas whether they consevillid (sp) him or not. Tell ninz (sp) that I want to see her very bad. Tell Fanchee to be a good boy. Give my best respects to Aunt Leasy (sp) and tell her that I will write to her as soon as I get some paper and tell her to write to me. Give my best respects to Mrs. Adams and Mr. Adams. Tell them that I would like to see them. Tell my Mary Garott (sp) that I would like to see her very mutch. Well I heard that Mr. Fillers (sp) and R Harris was a going to marry as soon as he comes home. Well I want you to write me as soon as you get this and write all the news. Give all the girls my best love. Tell Jim and Sally that Tom and Eli is well, both as fat as they can be. Well my hand is getting so cold that I can hardly write so I will come to a close for the presant only to remain your most affectionate sone until Death. So farewell.

R.A. Pollard

to his mother Lydia Pollard

Good by

-------------------------------------

end of all three letters/

Title: Burial Information:
Text:

Per information on his Death Certificate:

Robert A. Pollard died January 1, 1930, in Abilene, Tx

Place of Burial: Seaton Cemetery, outside of Potosi, Tx

(4 miles SE Potosi, CC, TX.)

Date of Burial: January 2, 1930

Undertaker: D.L. Laughter, Abilene, Tx

Additional Information from Amelia Bogard...

On his (Robert Austin "Uncle Bob" Pollard, 1842) gravestone: "He died as he lived a Christian." To get to Seaton Cemetery in Callahan Co., TX, go SE from Abilene on Hwy. 36; pass through east edge of Potosi and continue on 36 for a short distance, approximately 1 mile, and turn left on county rd. 232; go a shorter distance on that dirt road and turn right; Seaton Cem. will be on left. We saw no sign; it has a cyclone fence, red ant beds, cedars, and mesquites. Seaton Cem. is not in Taylor Co., as I had it recorded, but east of the county line in Callahan Co. (Believed that the cemetery is on land that belonged to R.A. Pollard.)

Title: Additional Information:
Text:

Time Line...

Robert Austin Pollard...

1842...Birth

25 Aug., Monroe, Pontotoc Co., Mississippi

1860...US Federal Census

Residence: Gatesville, Coryell, TX

Age: 18

1870...US Federal Census

Residence: Precinct 1, Coryell, TX

Age: 28

1877...Marriage

to Emaline Williams

Taylor Co., TX

Age: 35

1880...US Federal Census

Residence: Precinct 2, Taylor Co. TX

Age: 38

1900...US Federal Census

Residence: Justice Precinct 1, Taylor Co., TX

Age: 58

1910...US Federal Census

Residence: Justice Precinct 7, Taylor Co., TX

Age: 68

1920...US Federal Census

Residence: Justice Precinct 7, Taylor Co., TX

Age: 78

1930..Death...

1 January, Taylor Co., TX

Age; 87

Title: Additional Family Information:
Text:

The following kindly sent to me by Amelia Bogard, and I note it gratefully here this day...

5/4/09

/ln

Child 1...Robert Austin "Uncle Bob" POLLARD

I had his place of birth as Pontotoc Co., MS., but on his pension application he gives Monroe Co., MS as place of birth.

R.A. Pollard served in the Civil War in First Texas Cavalry under Captain Combs. During the first year of the War he was in the Texas Rangers. Karen

Theofanides sent me a copy of his CW record; it shows that he enrolled in Gatesville TX 2 Jan. 1862 and was mustered into service 21 Jan. 1862 at Camp Cooper by Capt Barry. Karen later sent "Soldier's Application for a Pension" #37601 for R.A. Pollard, Taylor Co., Abilene, Texas, Route #2. It was filed 30 Aug., 1921 and approved 22 Sept., 1921. Pension allowed from 1 Sept. 1921. He states, "We disbanded at or near Black Jack Grove in Hopkins County Texas in May 1865." He states that he will be 79 years of age Aug. 25, 1921. He gives place of birth as Monroe Co., MS; states that he has been in Texas about 70 years, and that he has lived in Taylor Co. TX 42 years with address R.F.D. #2, Abilene, Texas as address. He states that he is a farmer in "fairly good" physical condition. The command in which he served was from Texas. He says he served from spring of '61 to May 1865. He was a private in Company H, 1st Texas Cavalry. Gives value of his home as $935.00, his only property. Signed & swore to statement 23 Aug. 1921 in Taylor Co., TX before County Judge. F.J. Wrister swore that he was in same company with R.A. Pollard and that his statements were true. Document of War Service from Adjutant General's Office, Washington, Sept. 12, 1921: "Robert A. Pollard, pvt, Co.E.8" (Taylor's) Batt'n. Tex. Cav., C.S.A. about May 1863, this organization became Co. H.1" (Yager's) Tex. Cav., C.S.A. / He enlisted Jan 20, 1862, also shown July 2, 1862 at Gatesville./ His name appears on List not dated of absentees of above organization, as absent, sick at Columbus, Texas. / Roll for Jan & Feb 1864, last on file, show him present. / No later record found. P.C. Harris, the Adjutant General." A letter from Coryell Co., Texas signed by J.W. Hammack states that he too served with R.A. Pollard. An enclosed Application for Mortuary Warrant dated 13 Jan. 1930 by (dau) Miss Rose Pollard states that R.A. Pollard died 1 Jan. 1930 in Abilene, Taylor Co., Texas in his own home. The application is for payment of funeral expenses. D.T. Laughter, undertaker, also signs certificate, as does J.M. Estes physician.

Karen Theofanides also sent me copy of his death certificate and of his obituary in Sept., 1998. Information for his death certificate was given by Miss Rose Pollard of Abilene.

Obituary, Jan. 1929: "Civil War Vet Succumbs at Potosi Home / R.A. Pollard, 87, died at 7:15 this morning at his home near Potosi. He came to Texas 77 years ago and had been a resident of West Texas for more than half a century. He was a Texas Ranger during the first year of the war between the states and served three years in the Confederate Army. / R.A. (Uncle Bob) Pollard, 87, a resident of Taylor county for 52 years and of Texas for 77 years, succumbed at his home near Potosi at 7:15 o'clock Wednesday morning, following an extended illness. His daughters, Mrs. H.C. Smothers of Gladstone, N.M., and Miss Rose Pollard of Potosi, were at his bedside when the aged Confederate veteran died. Funeral services will be held at the Potosi Baptist Church Thursday morning at 11 o'clock, with interment in the Seaton Cemetery near Potosi. The Rev. George W. Parks of Roscoe and the Rev. M.F. Richardson of Eliasville, Baptist ministers, will officiate. Mr. Pollard's mother, his wife and a son and a daughter are interred in the Seaton Cemetery. / Was Mississippian. / Born in Pontotoc County, Mississippi, August 25, 1842, R.A. Pollard came to Texas with his parents n 1852, settling in Coryell County. He was married to Mrs. Emily Williams Boren September 26, 1877, and with his wife came to Taylor County in December, 1873. He had made his home on the same farm since that time. Mrs. Pollard succumbed 35 years ago. / Mr. Pollard served during the Civil War in the First Texas Cavalry under Captain Combs, enlisting from Coryell County. During the first year of the was he was in the Texas Ranger service. / May Franks Pollard (dau.), born in 1879 in Taylor County, succumbed in 1882. Robert Aubrey Pollard, born in 1890, died at the age of ten years. Besides his daughters, Mr. Pollard is survived by one brother, F.T. Pollard of Peoria, Ariz., and two sisters, Mrs. T.J. Scott of Ireland, Texas, and Mrs. Will White of Orange. Because of their age, F.T. Pollard and Mmes. Scott and White will be unable to attend services here. / Mr. Pollard had been a member of the Baptist Church since the late 80's, having been converted during a revival held in Abilene by Major Penn. Mr. Pollard's membership was first in an Abilene church, later moved to Seaton and had been in the Potosi Baptist church since its organization. He had been active as a deacon for many years until his last illness. / Mrs. R.E. Brookshire of Abilene is a distant relative of Mr. Pollard. / The Laughter Undertaking company is in charge of arrangements."

SEVENTY YEARS IN TEXAS by J.M. Franks, 1924, Gatesville, TX., p. 33, states that Bob Pollard was among those engaged in fight in Nov., 1861 with Comanche Indians at the head of the Pease River.

SEVENTY YEARS IN TEXAS by J.M. Franks, 1924, Gatesville, TX., pp.

82-83, names Bob Pollard as one from Coryell Co in Capt. Frank Colman's company in the Civil War.

I REMEMBER CALLAHAN: HISTORY OF CALLAHAN COUNTY TEXAS, Callahan Co. Historical Commission, Hicks A. Turner, ed., 1986, p.6:

"Other settlers and ranchers who pushed into the area and established ranching interests were...Bob Pollard..."

A RURAL HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY, by Juanita Daniel Zachry, Eakin Press, Austin, Texas, p. 42, "Bob Pollard had many fine spirited horses, which were swift runners." Page 116 of same source: "Bob Pollard, the man who gave Potosi its name, settled in the community in 1878. His home was the present Kit Johnson place. / Bob Pollard was a man who liked horses. He kept a great many spirited horses, many of them wild mustangs that he later broke. He built a big pole corral for this purpose near the road."

R.A. POLLARD is on 1880 Census Taylor Co., TX., p.20, precinct #2, dwelling #30, family #35: "Pollard, R.A., 38, stockraiser, b. MS; E.T., 26, wife, keeping house, b. TX; F.M. ?mos, dau., b. TX

On the 1880 Census his brother F.T. is in dwelling #31.

When Uncle Fisher Forrest wrote of his dad's family's stay in Taylor Co., TX, he wrote, "We started a cotton and corn crop on Uncle Bob Pollard's place 12 miles south of Abilene in the Spring of 1898, but along about June of 1898 Dad John O. got a job with Jules E. Chandler Ranch in Southwest corner of Taylor Co..."

Bob Pollard and his wife are buried at Seaton Cemetery in Callahan Co.

Under THE HANDBOOK OF TEXAS ONLINE, "Potosi, Texas"; In 1893 R.A. POLLARD applied for a post office and chose the name "Potosi," after the town in Mexico.

Karen Theofanides of Merced CA sent me a copy of short article (from Abilene paper, I think): "Potosi Pioneer Critically Ill/R.A. (Uncle Bob) Pollard, 88, Confederate veteran and one of Taylor County's earliest settlers is critically ill at his house one mile from Potosi. / Mr. Pollard's daughters, Mrs. H.O. Smothers, her husband and two daughters have been call to the bedside." (incomplete article)

Karen also sent me a copy of a photo of a marker: "Potosi Cemetery / January - 1902 / 2 acres $25.00 Cash / from / R.A. Pollard"

Sherry Lawence wrote of her ancestor James Read Saunders in CORYELL KIN, Vol. XXVI, No. 1, Spring 2008, p. 10: "During the 1887 drought they had so many longhorns they had to hire a foreman, N.B. McCurry, to care for them. The cattle were pastured on Dodd's Creek off the Lampasas Road and when Dodd's Creek became dry the cattle were moved to Baptism Hole in the Leon River. This was also the source of drinking water for Gatesville. For fear that they would cause this water hole to dry up J.R., his forman, and a neighbor Bob Pollard drove their cattle and those of some other ranchers to Jim Ned Creek in Buffalo Gap, in Taylor County. They eventually sold the cattle at a small profit, which turned out to be a wise move since the winter of 1887 was one of the coldest in history and many livestock froze to death in Coryell County."

Title: Notes
Text:

Time Line...

1842...Birth

25 August, Monroe, Pontotoc Co., MS.

1860...US Federal Census

Residence: Gatesville, Coryell, TX

Age: 18

1870...US Federal Census

Residence: Precinct 1, Coryell, TX

Age: 28

1877...Marriage to

Emaline (Emily) T. Williams

26 Sept., Taylor Co., TX.

Age: 35

1880...US Federal Census

Residence: Precinct 2, Taylor, TX

Age: 38

1900...US Federal Census

Residence: Justice Precinct 1, (Excl., Abilene City), Taylor, TX

Age: 58

1910...US Federal Census

Residence: Justice Precinct 7, Taylor, TX

Age: 68

1920...US Federal Census

Residence: Justice precinct 7, Taylor, TX

Age: 78

1930...Death

1 Jan., Potosi, Taylor Co., TX

Age: 87