From Proud Heritage, Vol 1 by DCPA, not currently in print.
James Armstrong was born about 1801 in North Carolina, probably Orange County. His probable father was Thomas Armstrong (b. ca 1774; d. 1835, Orange County, North Carolina) his grandfather was Willam Armstrong, and his great-grandfather was James Armstrong (d. 1796, Orange County, North Carolina).
James married Mary Stubbins about 14 December 1821 in Orange County, North Carolina (marriage bond date). Her father was Joseph Stubbins. Mary was born ca 1800, probably Orange County.
This family was said to have migrated to Maury County, Tennessee, and then to Williamson County, Tennessee, by 1830. They are found in Little Rock, Arkansas, in August, 1844. By 1850 they are definitely in Dallas County, listed in the census.
The following is an excerpt from “Forgotten Benefactors”, The Dallas Democrat, 27 November 1851:
“Captain James Armstrong, a native of Orange County, North Carolina and graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, married and moved to Maury County, Tennessee, in 1820. He later (ca 1837?) removed to Texas (the Peters Colony) in a caravan of eight wagons and thirty persons. He made a layover in Arkansas of seven years. A daughter, Mary (born in 1828), married Captain A. A. Thomas in February, 1850 and lived near her father. A. A. Thomas’ father was Judge John Thomas, who also lived near the couple. This location ultimately lay between Carrollton and Farmer’s Branch in present Dallas County, Texas.”
Children of James Armstrong and Mary Stubbins were: Mary Elizabeth, Martha A., Susannah A., Nancy J. and Sarah C.
In his “History of Dallas County” John Henry Brown states: “Armstrong, James, and family came in 1846; his daughter, Frances E., came, the wife of John Bursey, and is now a widow; Martha married Robert Cook, and is a widow; Nancy J. married first William A. Knight, second W. Marion Moon; Mary J. married Alexander A. Thomas; Anderson, the only son, died in 1848.”
by W. D. Baird, M. D., Dallas
