Some Biographies of Old Settlers (Tyler, Texas): Solomon and John Robbins, the Funderburgh family, and the 1848 journey from Coosa County

Transcription

Read from the page images (scans n766, n768, n770 and n772 for pp. 349–352).

Pages 349–352, "Solomon and Jno. Robbins, Old Citizens":

Solomon and John Robbins were of English descent and trace back their ancestors to many generations. These two brothers were natives of Montgomery county, Ala. Solomon was born April 9th, 1818, and John July 2nd, 1824. They were models in point of citizenship and devout Methodists, living up to the tenets of that great organization; strictly honest, moral and religious. They helped build churches and schools that blazed the way to enlightenment and civilization. […]

Solomon Robbins came to Texas in 1848, but returned to Alabama where he married Miss Amanda Funderburg. Remaining there several years, he did not remove to Texas until 1859, where he died in October, 1878. He raised a family of six children; all lived to be grown. Solomon Robbins served in the Florida Indian war before he was grown, and performed the duties of a soldier that characterized his life as a good citizen. He was too old to enter the Confederate service, but did much service with the state troops, spending a large part of his time at Camp Ford doing guard and other duty. He was a Mason for many years, and a Methodist from boyhood up to his death. […]

Hon. John W. Robbins, the present State Treasurer of Texas, is the son of Solomon Robbins. […] He lived in Smith county thirty years and moved to Wilbarger county in 1889 […] He represented his district in the State Legislature in 1894; re-elected in 1896, and elected State Treasurer in 1898, the position he now holds. […] He married Miss Sarah Long, of this city, the attractive and intelligent daughter of Capt. R. B. Long […]

Archie Robbins, a younger brother, is the popular tax collector of Henderson county. […]

John W. Robbins, a brother of Solomon, was the same type of a Christian man […] He married Miss Francis Weaver, a noble, Christian woman, the daughter of Col. Wm. Weaver, a prominent farmer and old settler in this county, mentioned elsewhere. He made a good Confederate soldier, enlisting in the company commanded by W. S. Henderson, and died during the war at New Iberia, La., July 20th, 1863. […] He, with others, built the Bascom church, seven miles east of this city. He came to Texas in 1854, and settled in the Bascom neighborhood, where he and his good wife raised an interesting family. They had ten children, all girls but one.

Three younger brothers—Peyton, Tom and George—all gave up their lives in the Confederate cause.

The Robbins brothers were fine specimens of manhood, all over six feet tall, noted for their Christian piety, integrity and patriotism.

Pages 332–333, "Wm. B. Funderburgh and Family":

Wm. B. Funderburgh and family removed to Smith county in 1854, and settled 6 miles southeast of Tyler […] Wm. B. Funderburgh was born in Clark county, Georgia, May 30th, 1808, and in a few years moved with his parents, Isaac and Sarah Funderburgh, to Alabama, living with them until their death. His father died October 21st, 1835; his mother in 1839, both dying in Autaga county, Alabama. Wm. B. Funderburgh died on his farm, where he first settled, on the 21st day of April, 1878 […]

He had been married three times. First, to Miss Martha Wilson, in Alabama, who died on the 8th of September, 1847, in the State of her marriage. Several children were the fruits of this marriage. His second marriage was with Miss Louisa Works […] His third marriage was with Miss Sarah Wilson. From this union they had twelve children; eleven are now living.

The following family history is here given: […]

Amanda married Solomon Robbins; they had six children; all the family are dead except three children—John W., who is the present treasurer of the State of Texas; Archie S. and Katie, who lives at Athens, Texas.

Chapter LIII, "James M. Whitaker and Family" (scan n502):

James M. Whitaker and his wife, Mrs. E. S. Whitaker, left Coosa county, Ala., in company with John Robbins and Josh Weaver, the latter bringing a wagon load of his father's negroes. They left Coosa county, Ala., October 9th, 1848, and arrived in Smith county, Texas, on the first day of December, 1848, making the trip in the short time of fifty-two days, having mixed teams of horses and oxen.

Citation: Sid S. Johnson, Some Biographies of Old Settlers: Historical, Personal and Reminiscent, vol. 1 (Tyler, Texas, 1900), chapter LXXXVII, "Solomon and Jno. Robbins, Old Citizens," 349–352; chapter LXXXI, "Wm. B. Funderburgh and Family," 332–333; chapter LIII, "James M. Whitaker and Family"; Internet Archive item somebiographieso00john, scans n766–n772, n728–n732 and n502, https://archive.org/details/somebiographieso00john/page/n766/mode/1up.