From Proud Heritage, Volume I by DCPA, currently out of print.
John Marshall Sears was born 16 August 1805 in Virginia. He is thought to be the son of Thomas and Frances Sears of King and Queen County, Virginia. Thomas Sears (1741-1825), a Revolutionary War veteran, migrated with his family to Allen County, Kentucky around 1815.
On 5 August 1830, John Sears was married to Frances Hammett in Scottsville, Allen County, Kentucky. Frances, daughter of William and Nancy Cockrill Hammett, was born on 9 December 1805 in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. The Hammett family migrated to Kentucky around 1810 settling in the Walnut Creek area of Barren County (later to become Allen County). Four sons were born in Allen County. In 1840 the family moved to neighboring Warren County where four more children were born.
In September 1850, John and Frances Sears sold their property in Warren County. According to family tradition the Sears family arrived in Texas in 1851. Their youngest child, Samuel Madison, was born 7 March 1851 in Texas.
In 1851 John and Frances Sears purchased for $600 a tract of 160 acres located about three miles eastwardly from the village of Dallas. The land was part of the original survey of James M. Patterson, who also migrated to the area from Warren County, Kentucky. The Sears family lived in a two-story log house which contained five rooms. This area was considered “way out in the country.” Today the property is bounded by Ross, Greenville, Belmont, and Henderson Streets. The site of the Hockaday School for Girls was located on the northeast corner of the Sears survey. Sears Street on lower Greenville Avenue is named for the family.
Early records trace the activities of John Sears. In the Commissioners’ Court Minutes for May, 1852, John Sears was appointed to a committee to select the right of way for a road south of the village of Dallas. In the early 1850s he purchased several town lots in Dallas, one on the northwest corner of the present site of El Centro College, two on the northwest corner of the intersection of Elm and Record Streets, and four lots and a house at the corner of Houston and Polk (now Young) Street, part of the present site of Union Station, for which he traded in partial payment one three year old horse mule, one seven year old male mule, and one yoke of oxen. He also owned ten acres on Mill Creek near the town of Dallas, and 240 acres on the waters of White Rock Creek about four miles northeast of Dallas.
John and Frances Sears were involved citizens of their community, belonging to the Pleasant View Baptist Church, presently located on Fisher Road near Mockingbird Lane. It is recorded that John Sears once testified against a fellow member for playing cards.
In 1869 and 1870 John Sears served as a judge of draught horses for the Annual Fair of the Dallas County Agricultural and Mechanical Association. He was also active in early Dallas County politics, adhering to the principles of the Democratic Party.
Frances Hammett Sears passed away on 26 May 1871. John Marshall Sears followed her in death on 24 September 1873. They were buried in the family plot at Cox Cemetery, located on Dalgreen Road near White Rock Lake. Their children were as follows:
William Thomas born 1 May 1831, died 1 August 1867; married 23 December 1862, Warren County, Kentucky, Nancy C. Herndon. William Thomas Sears is buried in Cox Cemetery, Dallas, Texas. Two daughters of Warren County, Kentucky.
James Willis born 22 March 1833, died 15 June 1889, Hutchins, Texas; married 12 April 1860, Dallas County, Texas, Irene Elizabeth Mosier, born 23 September 1833, died 30 March 1908. Both are buried in Edgewood Cemetery, Lancaster, Texas. Nine children.
John Marshall born 14 April 1835, died prior to 1891, place unknown; married 18 August 1872, Dallas County, Texas, Carolina Dudley.
George Richard born 27 November 1837, died 12 February 1919; married 4 October 1865, Dallas County, Texas, Alta M. Smith, born 1 October 1848, died 4 February 1936. Both are buried in Grove Hill Cemetery, Dallas, Texas. Five children.
Robert Lewis born 5 April 1840, died 17 January 1916; married (1) 11 September 1871, Dallas County, Texas, Mary M. Everett, (2) 30 August 1883, Collin County, Texas, Victoria Elizabeth Zilhardt, born 5 March 1860, died 18 May 1895. Robert Lewis Sears is buried in Pecan Cemetery, McKinney, Texas. Eight children.
Anne Frances born 28 November 1842, died 12 September 1922, buried Henrietta, Texas; married 29 December 1870, Dallas County, Texas, John W. Burton. One son. Nancy Jane born 22 January 1846, died 27 July 1859 of typhoid fever. Buried Cox Cemetery, Dallas, Texas. Mariah Ernaline born 9 November 1848, died 26 August 1886; married 26 February 1867, Dallas County, Texas, James W. Johnson, born 13 September 1846, died 10 April 1923. Both are buried in Hope Cemetery, Henrietta, Texas. Six children.
Samuel Madison born 7 March 1851, died 10 September 1929, buried Henrietta, Texas; married Nannie L. (?).
Robert Westbrook Sears, the author of this narrative, is descended from John Marshall Sears as follows: John Marshall Sears (1805-1873), James Willis Sears (1833-1889), Robert Duane Sears (1866-1951), Robert Lee Sears (1905-1980), Robert Westbrook Sears (1946- ).
By Robert Westbrook Sears, Dallas
