From Proud Heritage, Vol. 1 by DCPA, not currently in print.
Jacob Hart and Elizabeth Hofheintz/Huffines were married April 17, 1820, in Guilford County, North Carolina, both familes having immigrated from Germany.
By the mid 1830’s, Jacob and family, like many others, were moving to a new land. Their first stop was Sangamon County, illinois. A few years later, the opportunity to obtain a land grant in Peters Colony in Texas started them on the move again. They arrived in Dallas in 1844.
Their first home was a log cabin near the spot where the Old Red Courthouse now stands. They lived in this cabin until their new home located a few miles to the north could be built.
As Jacob was splitting and preparing logs for this home, he accidently cut his leg. He soon died of blood-poisoning. This left the eldest son, Abraham, as head of the household.
Abraham continued in the building of the homestead, which would later be a part of the 5700 block of Gaston Avenue in the Munger Addition. This would be the Hart home until 1906, when the home and some acreage were sold to I. S. Munger for $800 per acre.
Jacob Hart’s land grant was certificate #13 and was claimed by his son Abraham for the Hart heirs on March 30, 1850. The heirs consisted of Abraham, Sarah Barker, Mary Holford, Elizabeth Thompson, and Martha Tucker.
Later a deed was required of holders of land grants, and in 1855, Governor E. M. Pease affixed his seal to the sheep-skin deed. This document is preserved in the Library of Bryan Adams High School, which is on part of the original Hart land.
Abraham, having married Elizabeth Ray in 1848, became eligible for 640 acres also. Elizabeth Ray, daughter of Robert and Mary Denton Ray, and Abraham were one of the first couples to obtain a marriage license in Dallas. As such, the license was presented to them as a gift. They were married in the John Neely Bryan cabin by John Cole, Judge of the County of Dallas.
Near neighbors of the Hart family were the Robert Rays, John Daniels, T. C. Hawpes, and Amon McCommas.
Abraham preferred the quiet life of a farmer to that of a public figure and declined county offices which were offered to him. After helping to build the first courthouse, he served on the first jury to function.
Abraham served two years in Stone’s Regiment of the Confederate Army. While in active combat, he was captured at Yellow Bayou, Louisiana, as he was endeavoring to help a wounded comrade. Abraham was carrying the man behind him on his horse. The horse was shot from under him, killing the wounded soldier. Abraham hurriedly buried the comrade. He was taken prisoner, and during the excitement, he forgot to pick up his hat which was on the ground beside the dead horse. This caused his family to be notified that he was dead. While a prisoner, he contracted pneumonia and typhoid fever and was sent to a hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana.
After he was released, Abraham was too weak to get the wagon train carrying discharged soldiers. A friendly blacksmith lent him a horse and also sent word to his family to meet him with a suitable conveyance. Elizabeth Hart and her father, Robert Ray, met him with a carriage and arranged for Abraham to rest a few days before going home.
The children of Abraham and Elizabeth were: 1) Mary Ellen wife of Wm. Cartwright; 2) Elizabeth Jane wife of Robert Bethurum; 3) Robert Henry married Mary E. ; 4) Douglas A. J. married Theodosia Moody and Julia Hobbs; 5) Francis (Frank) married Belle; 6) Electa Ann wife of John Curtis; 7) Edward Crosby married Elva Paxton; 8) John Elbert married Jewel Whitescarver; 9) Laura Bell married John Chennault.
As each daughter married, she was given $500 to buy land. As each son married, he was given 50 acres of land and Abraham, the father, sold them 50 more acres.
When Elizabeth Ray Hart died in 1900, a school-teacher named Mr. Teel, who was boarding with the Harts, told his students that Mr. & Mrs. Abe Hart were old and respected citizens of the area, and that he thought it would be the proper thing to do to go and express their sympathy and show their respect for such a good family. He led his students to the home where each of them filed by and viewed Mrs. Hart. Mr. Teel and his students then returned to school. Elizabeth was buried in Cox Cemetery.
Abraham lived to be 91 years old and remained very active. He died November 2, 1913, at the home of his son, John, on Hartline Dr. in Casa View. He is buried in Cox Cemetery near White Rock Lake. On his tombstone are these words: “He lived as a Christian and as a Christian died.”
By Billy Jean Pearce Nelson Clay, Dallas
Clay Nelson Harvey, Dallas
Mrs. Elizabeth Range, Farwell
Frances Eloise Hart Watson, Mesquite
