From Proud Heritage, Volume I by DCPA, currently out of print.
Zachariah Motley born June 10, 1805, a native of Wake County, North Carolina, was the fifth child of James Motley and Lodicea Hopson Barbee and a grandson of John Motley and Elizabeth Page. Soon after Zach’s birth the family liquidated their assets and moved to Warren County, Kentucky. Zach and his siblings grew up, attended schools and church in what was known as the Motley community and lived there until he was about fifty years old.
On September 3, 1832 he married Mary Lynn born January 18, 1814, and the couple had 10 children: James Edward (February 11, 1834), Martha Elizabeth (September 14, 1836), Jefferson Lynn (July 26, 1840), Penelope A. (June 14, 1842), Francis Marion (September 22, 1844), William H. (April 22, 1846), John Thomas (January 18, 1848), Robert Page (February 3, 1850), Mary Henry (April 20, 1853) and Sally Ann (September 14, 1854).
Zach was a third generation grist mill operator and farmer. In 1854 he traveled on a mule in company with other men from the area to Texas to select a new homesite. He came to the northeast Dallas County area and made his selection. He returned to Kentucky, disposed of his assets and returned to Dallas County with his family in 1856. His oldest son and daughter did not come with them. Several of their friends and neighbors in the Allen-Warren County, Kentucky vicinity, among whom were the Williams, Merediths, Markhams, Dicksons and Commers, joined the wagon train to come to Texas. Some nine or ten pioneer families with children, slaves, livestock, household furnishings and farm equipment rendezvoused at Bowling Green to begin their journey.
Zach first purchased land and lived in the Breckenridge area. In 1861 he purchased land in the Crittenden Survey, Abstract #333. This is where he chose to make his permanent home. He soon became an extensive land owner, farming and raising stock. When the Civil War broke out three of his sons went into the Confederate Army. Between 1854 and 1868 Zach purchased, bartered and/or surveyed and claimed 6,235 acres of land.
In 1868 he was working his land on Bois d’ Arc island (near the Trinity River) when he became ill. The illness resulted in his death.
The abstract of assets submitted for probate of his estate reflected his extensive lands, a thresher, wagons, horses, work cattle, beef cattle, grain, sheep, hogs, household items and several notes payable on demand from his friends and neighbors.
Zach was buried in the family cemetery located two hundred feet west of his home. His daughter, Penelope, who had married a Colonel McClain, had been buried there on December 27, 1863, as had her infant son. Mary, his wife, died on October 31, 1890 and was buried beside Zach.
Down through the years Zach ‘s land holdings have been passed on to his descendants, and the home place in the Crittenden survey was finally sold to the Dallas County Community College District for the location of Eastfield College. However, the family cemetery was excluded in the deed conveyance and continues to this day to be used as the burial site for Zachariah’s and Mary’s descendants. It proudly displays a Historical Marker authorized by the State of Texas Historical Commission.
Z. Motley was a fifth generation descendant of John Motley who was born in England around 1630. John Motley came to America before 1666 and married Mary Spicer, a widow in Rappahannock County, Virginia, sometime after 1666 but before 1675. Records show Zach’s ancestors have lived in Virginia, North Carolina and Kentucky.
By Joe B. Motley, great-grandson, Garland
