From Proud Heritage, Volume I by DCPA, currently out of print.
William Myers, son of Lewis (Louis) Myers and Elizabeth Edith McKay, was born March 29, 1801 in Garrard County, Kentucky. He was of German descent, and his ancestors emigrated to America in the late seventeenth century, first settling in Maryland and later moving to Virginia where his parents were born and married. Shortly after his parents were married, they moved to Garrard County, Kentucky and raised a large family of twelve children, eight sons and four daughters. William being the seventh child. He was reared to farm life and after reaching manhood began dealing in livestock.
On January 6, 1825 William married his first cousin, Mary Ann Myers, in Garrard County, Kentucky. She was born March 7, 1801 in Missouri, the daughter of Jacob Myers, who was a brother to William’s father, Lewis. To them in Garrard County, Kentucky were born three sons and five daughters.
Harriette born September 25, 1825, died May 5, 1904 in Dallas County, Texas, buried in Five Mile Cemetery, Dallas, Texas; she married T. A. Phillips.
Benjamin born August 25, 1827, died September 5, 1828 in Garrard County, Kentucky.
Meredith born February 21, 1829, died April 9, 1906 in Dallas County, Texas, buried in Five Mile Cemetery, Dallas, Texas; he was first married in Dallas County, Texas to Emily M. Eddy, born October 21, 1834, died November 5, 1866 in Dallas County, buried in Five Mile Cemetery, Dallas, Texas; to them in Dallas County, Texas were born three daughters: Lou Ella, Effie, and Williann. His second marriage in Dallas County, Texas on October 20, 1867 was to Sarah Elizabeth Rogers, born August 8, 1842 in Missouri, died January 13, 1931 in Dallas County, Texas, buried in Five Mile Cemetery, Dallas, Texas; to them in Dallas County, Texas were born two sons and three daughters: Mary Matilda, Robert E. Lee, Perdita, Olena Marzee, and William.
Berilla Kemper born December 31, 1830, died June 19, 1877 in Dallas County, Texas, buried in West Dallas Cemetery, Dallas, Texas, married first in Dallas County, Texas to Isaac Nelson Coombes, married second in Dallas County, Texas to John W. Bumpas.
Sallie born February 24, 1833, died August 31, 1834 in Garrard County, Kentucky.
William Jr. born September 27, 1838.
Elizabeth born August 25, 1841, died September 7, 1842 in Garrard County, Kentucky.
Josephine born February 12, 1843, died after 1887 in Dallas County, Texas, buried in Lisbon Cemetery, Dallas, Texas, married first in Dallas County, Texas to Ezra Eddy who died in 1863 in Little Rock, Arkansas, married second in Dallas County, Texas on October 16, 1865 to Alfred Pemberton, born 1839 in Tennessee, died 1887 in Dallas County, Texas, buried in Lisbon Cemetery, Dallas, Texas.
In the fall of 1846, William and Mary Ann and their five living children moved to Dallas County, Texas, which was then the frontier of civilization. He purchased a small tract of land which was located on the north side of what is now Kidd Springs Park where he built a log cabin and resided the rest of his days. He also took a headright in the Peters Colony and was issued Robertson Third Class Certificate No. 1559 on April 1, 1850 for 640 acres which he patented in Dallas County. The boundaries of his headright are Davis Street on the south, Hampton Road on the west, Remond Drive on the north and Winnetka Avenue on the east. One of the witnesses who signed his headright affidavit was John Neely Bryan.
During the episode known as the “Hedgcoxe War”, William sided with the Peters Colony Company and in so doing met the wrath of the disgruntled colonists. He and others who were identified as “spies of the company” were seized and ridden around the square in Dallas on the sharp edge of a rail and then were notified that they had one month to arrange their business and leave the country.
Fortunately for all concerned, cooler heads prevailed, and peace was restored to the Colony. For over two decades William and Mary Ann continued farming and stock raising. Their children grew up, got married and left home; however, they all stayed in Dallas County. William Myers died on February 21, 1872 in Dallas County, Texas; and his wife, Mary Ann, died on December 12 1870 in Dallas County, Texas. They are both buried in the Five Mile Cemetery in the 1800 block of W. Keist Blvd., Dallas, Texas. Six generations of their descendants have lived in Dallas County, and many of the third thru sixth generations are still living in Dallas County.
By Tom Jones, Dallas
