Napoleon Pugh ROBERTS [Parents] [scrapbook] was born 31 Jan 1853 in Giles Co., TN. He died 4 Mar 1886 in Marshall Co., TN. Napoleon married 1 Nancy Jane HOBBY on 24 Dec 1871 in Giles Co., Tennessee.
Information from Georgia Beers beers@sbcglobal.net
I waited to long to ask my grandmother about her dad who was Napoleon Pugh Roberts. She said he was a Cherokee Indian. I am trying to find the Indian connection. He was buried at Cornesville Tenn. His wife was Nancy Jane Hobby. When the children were born she would not let him put them on the Indian rolls. When he died they moved to Lockesburg Arkansas and she married again to a William Matlock. I remember my great grandmother and I wished I had asked her some questions. My grandmother took care of a Roberts sister for years after her mother died. If the Indian money could have helped it would have wonderful. She was bedfast, lived to be 64 years I think.From Barbara Beers
3624 Kingsport Way
Sacramento, California 95826Napoleon Pugh Roberts was born 31 Jan 1853 in Giles Co, Tenn and died 4 Mar 1886 in Sevier Co, Arkansas. His parents were William Hugh, born about 1814 in South Carolina and Elizabeth Ann Terry Roberts born in 1818 in Virginia. He married Nancy Jane Hobby 24 Dec 1871 in Giles County. She was born 12 Nov 1853 in Marshall Co, Tenn and died 21 Apr 1929 in Locksburg, Sevier, Tenn. She was the daughter of Calvin, born 1813 in Maury City, Crockett, Tenn and Mary Elizabeth Gant Roberts born 12 Nov 1853 in Marshall Co, Tenn. Napoleon is buried in Cornersville, Marshall, Tenn and Nancy is buried in the Mt Ida Cemetery DeQueen, Sevier, Arkansas.
Their children are Elizabeth Anerbell born 6 Jun 1873 and died 9 Aug 1874 in Marshall Co, Tenn; Mary Magdalene "Lena" born 5 Jan 1875 and died 11 Jun 1940 in Locksburg, Sevier, Tenn; Georgia Clementine "Clemie" born 1 Aug 1878 and died 15 Apr 1958 in Roosevelt, Kiowa, Oklahoma; and Columbus Morgan "Coli" born 5 Jun 1882 and died 8 Aug 1940 in DeQueen, Sevier, Arkansas. All were born in Marshall Co, Tenn.
Clemie married William Hilry Watson 14 Dec 1898 in Globe, Titus, Texas. He was the son of Robert Leroy born 1829 in South Carolina and Margaret Stuckey Watson born 1824 in Attala Co, Mississippi. He was born 22 May 1876 in Wolf City, Hunt, Texas died 30 Sep 1945 in Roosevelt, Kiowa, Oklahoma. He and Clemie are both buried in the Hobart Rose Cemetery, Hobart, Kiowa, Oklahoma. Their children are Clyde Edward born 13 Dec 1900 in Paris, Lamar, Texas died 8 Dec 1901 in Paris; Iva Mae born 7 Dec 1902 in Paris died 7 Apr 1988 in Altus, Jackson, Oklahoma buried in Hobart Rose Cemetery, Hobart, Kiowa, Oklahoma; Effie Jewel born 12 Jul 1905 in Honey Grove, Fannin, Texas died 8 Oct 1992 in Wilson, Carter, Oklahoma buried in Hobart Rose Cemetery; James Morgan born 28 Dec 1909 in Locksburg, Sevier, Arkansas died 11 Apr 1993 Odessa, Ector, Texas buried in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Odessa; Maudie Jane born 23 Jan 1914 in Horatio, Sevier, Arkansas died 29 Mar 2002 in Healdton, Carter, Oklahoma buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Healdton.
William was a farmer in Paris, Texas, cut wood and sold it in the winter when the crops were laid by. Having his first son Clyde, who died of spinal meningitis, die as a baby was very sad for him, and he would not talk about it. Sometime between 1902 and 1909 their farmhouse burned down, and they moved to Locksburg, Arkansas. It was hard for them to move, but they had lost everything. They moved next to Roosevelt, Oklahoma, where he farmed again and raised watermelons. They took care of Lena for 20 years. This was a wonderful thing for William to Keep Clemie's sister all those years, and he never complained.
Clemie loved to sew and quilt. She was a beautiful woman, but taking care of Lena took its toll. In 1877, Lena contracted polio. Napoleon put her on a horse, and took her everywhere to find a doctor. The polio left her crippled up one leg, across her stomach and one arm could not be straightened out. She was bedfast until she died, cried all night, slept all day and was very hard to take care of. Nancy Jane took care of her until she became sick, and her sister Clemie took care of her until she also was too sick to care for her. William, Clemie's husband, had her committed to the Little Rock Arkansas Hospital for the insane. With in two weeks, Lena died. She was buried in the Lone Oak Cemetery in DeQueen. Clemie was sorry for the rest of her life for not keeping her home.
Columbus married Laura Levinia Phillips in Tennessee about 1929. They had one son, Rayburn Estes born about 1930. They moved to DeQueen, Sevier, Arkansas where he lived on a farm, and helped the owner take care of his 20 acre site. As time went on the owner became more and more confused and angry. It was felt that he thought that Columbus was going to take his farm away. When other family members would come for a visit, they would watch the owner sharpening his knives and axes day and night, and they were very concerned about the safety of Columbus and his family. One morning, the owner came to their little white house to join them for breakfast, which he did often. When Columbus opened the door, the owner shot and killed him, and then shot himself. Laura and Ray heard the shots and jumped out the back window and ran for safety. When the funeral services where held, the entire town's people attended. Chairs had to be placed outside the church, he was so well loved. He is buried at Mt Ida Cemetery in DeQueen.
It has always been understood that Napoleon was part Cherokee Indian through his mother Elizabeth Ann Terry. Nancy Jane didn't want this known and was embarrassed when ever she was asked if her husband was Indian. Even in the United State Census, it states that he was white.Sources: Census records 1850-1880
Family Bibles
Birth, Death and Marriage certificates
Nancy Jane HOBBY [Parents] was born 12 Nov 1853 in Marshall Co., TN. She died 1 21 Apr 1930 in Sevier Co, Arkansas and was buried in Mt. Ida Cemetery. Nancy married 2 Napoleon Pugh ROBERTS on 24 Dec 1871 in Giles Co., Tennessee.
Other marriages:MATLOCK, William
1900 Paraclifta,Sevier, Ark T623-76 pg 1A
Nancy J. Matlock w. f. Nov 1852 widow 7 children born 4 living Tn TN tn
_____ M. son white male June 1887 12 Ark ark tn
Robert A. son Nov 1893 age 7 Ark, ark, tn
Mary Roberts dau. Jun 1875 24 tn tn tn
Columbus son Jun 1883 16 tn tn tn1910 Red Colony typ, Sevier, ARk T624 _ 66 pg 137A
Nancy J. Matlock head w 56 widow 7 children born 3 living tn tn tn
Lena Roberts 35 dau. tn tn tn
Morgan Roberts son 26 tn tn tn
Marion Matlock son 22 Ark ark tn
Robert Matlock son 17 ark ark tn1920 Ark Census Red Colony Township Enumeration 174 Sheet 3A Red Colony pg 3A
Nancy J. Matlock head female white 67 widow Tn tn tn
Lena Roberts dau 44 single tn
Columbus M. Roberts son 37 single tn
William Matlock son 32 single ark
Robert A. Matlock son 27 single ArkLena Roberts in the Mt. Ida Cemetery. She was born 5 June 1875, died 12 June 1940
C. M. Roberts, also in Mt. Ida Cemetery, was born 5 June 1882, died 7 Aug. 1940NANCY ROBERTS, born Nov. 12, 1852, died April 21, 1930 is buried in the Mt. Ida Cemetery.
MATLOCK, W. M. Born 1887 Died 1957 Buried in Lockesburg Cemetery.
They had the following children:
F i Mary Madelena "Lena" ROBERTS 1 was born 5 Jun 1875 in TN. She died 12 Jun 1940 in Sevier Co, Arkansas and was buried in Mt. Ida Cemetery.
She had Polio when she was 2 yrs old and her father (Napoleon) took her by horseback to the Doctor. The polio left her crippled up one leg, across her stomach and one arm could not be straightened out. She was bedfast untill she died. She cried all night and slept all day and died when she was about 65 years old. Nancy cared for her until she became sick and couldn't care for her any longer. Then her sister Georgia Clementine Roberts took over her care until she became very sick. Her husband had her comitted to the Little Rock, Arkansas Hospital for the Insane. She died 2 weeks later.F ii Georgia Clementine ROBERTS was born 1 Aug 1878 and died 15 Apr 1958. M iii Columbus Morgan ROBERTS 1 was born 2 5 Jun 1882. He died 7 Aug 1940 in Sevier Co, Arkansas and was buried in Mt. Ida Cemetery.
John Bell ROBERTS [Parents] "(Twin)" was born 1855. He died UNKNOWN. (Twin) married Mary BUTLER.
Mary BUTLER died UNKNOWN. She married John Bell ROBERTS.
They had the following children:
F i Rosie ROBERTS died UNKNOWN. F ii Emma ROBERTS died UNKNOWN. F iii Martha ROBERTS died UNKNOWN. F iv Mary Belle ROBERTS died UNKNOWN.
Lucius Minor ROBERTS [Parents] "(Twin)" was born 1855. He died UNKNOWN. (Twin) married Emma.
Emma married Lucius Minor ROBERTS.
They had the following children:
F i Hettie Lou ROBERTS died UNKNOWN.
Cleophus Lee ROBERTS [Parents] 1 was born 15 Jan 1860 in Marshall Co., TN. He died 28 Aug 1940 in Marshall Co, Tennessee and was buried in Brick Church Cemetery, Giles Co., TN. Cleophus married Annie Bell DATSON.
Other marriages:BALLINGER, Dazzerene
Annie Bell DATSON 1 was born 12 Feb 1862 in Giles Co, Tennessee. She died Unknown. Annie married Cleophus Lee ROBERTS.
Cleophus Lee ROBERTS [Parents] 1 was born 15 Jan 1860 in Marshall Co., TN. He died 28 Aug 1940 in Marshall Co, Tennessee and was buried in Brick Church Cemetery, Giles Co., TN. Cleophus married Dazzerene BALLINGER.
Other marriages:DATSON, Annie Bell
Dazzerene BALLINGER died UNKNOWN. She married Cleophus Lee ROBERTS.
James Roy ROBERTS [Parents] was born 1880. He died 1959. James married Martha Vera SMITH.
Martha Vera SMITH died UNKNOWN. She married James Roy ROBERTS.
They had the following children:
F i Lillian Maples ROBERTS was born 1906. She died UNKNOWN.
Horace W. ROBERTS [Parents] "Bose" was born 1882. He died 1933. Bose married Ethel Jane SMITH.
Ethel Jane SMITH was born 1884. She died 1916. Ethel married Horace W. ROBERTS.
They had the following children:
M i Raymond Ozro ROBERTS was born 1904. He died UNKNOWN. F ii Living
John Marion COFFNER was born 1872. He died UNKNOWN. John married Ada Clayton ROBERTS.
Ada Clayton ROBERTS [Parents] was born 1877. She died 1952. Ada married John Marion COFFNER.
Lucius Henry ROBERTS [Parents] was born 1874. He died 1945. Lucius married Nora JAMES.
Nora JAMES was born 1875. She died UNKNOWN. Nora married Lucius Henry ROBERTS.
They had the following children:
M i Brad ROBERTS was born 1898. He died UNKNOWN.
Marcel KING [Parents] died UNKNOWN. She married Living.