From Proud Heritage, Volume I by DCPA, currently out of print.
Robert Page Motley, the son of Thomas Zachariah and Mary Lynn Motley, was born in Allen County, near Bowling Green, Kentucky, on February 3, 1850. With his parents, four brothers and three sisters, he came to Dallas County by wagon train in 1856. His parents were extensive landowners and established their home in the Crittenden Survey, Abstract # 333, where Robert lived until December 4, 1876 when he married Emma Sarah Lawrence, born August 9, 1856, the daughter of John Peter and Fanny Coats Lawrence. The Lawrence family had migrated to Dallas County from Maryland sometime prior to the Motley’s arrival. They settled in the Tripp Long Creek community where Emma was raised. The Lawrence family were also large land owners.
To this marriage were born four girls and four boys namely: John S., Lillie Payne, Myrtle Hall, Annie Candler, Lotus Zacha, Edd Z., Robert L. and Lynn L. They made their home on the family farm located three miles east of Reinhardt. Their farm was on Oates Road and adjoined the farms of two of his brothers and his father.
In 1910 their son Edd Z. and daughter Lotus Zacha died within weeks of one another and both were buried in the Southland Cemetery in Grand Prairie. Soon thereafter Mr. and Mrs. Motley built a new home and moved to Grand Prairie and continued to manage their farming operations in Grand Prairie, Reinhardt and Tripp. Mr. and Mrs. Motley were members of the Methodist Church. Mr. Motley was a member of the Scyene Masonic lodge and later a member of Sam R. Hamilton Masonic lodge in Grand Prairie. The Grand Prairie lodge conducted graveside services at Southland Cemetery when Mr. Motley died on April 28, 1927.
Mrs. Motley continued to live in Grand Prairie until her death on May 13, 1946. She was also buried in the Southland Cemetery.
R. P. Motley was a descendant of John Motley, born around 1630 in England, who married Mary Spicer, a widow, in Rappahan nock County, Virginia, about 1666.
Mrs. Motley’s ancestors migrated from England to the state of Maryland, then to Dallas.
By Joe B. Motley, grandson, Garland
