One of the earliest records of the Cheatham Family history began with Henry Clay Cheatham's father, Wesley Cheatham, born between 1811 and 1815 in the state of Tennessee. It is believed that Wesley had a brother named Burrell Cheatham, born around 1810.
According to the 1870, Davis County, Texas Census, Burrell Cheatham and his wife, Martha, lived on land next to Wesley and his children Henry and Jane. The families enumerated in Hickory Hill, today known as Avinger, Texas.
By 1870, Henry's sister, Mary Cheatham Turner, also known as "Molly" and her younger sister, Francis Cheatham Turner, were residing in Titus County, Texas along with their respective spouses and children.
Henry's father, also known as "Wes", married Sara Abernathy later in life. Their marriage took place on January 11, 1880 in Cass County, Texas. Wes was approximately 68 years old and Sara was 45 at the time of their marriage.
Henry Clay Cheatham was born in May 1852 in Morris County, Texas, and it is believed that Henry was a downlink descendant of the Cherokee Indian Nation.
Henry and his father Wesley were farmers, and by 1880, they had purchased land in Hughes Springs, Cass County, Texas. Davis County was renamed "Cass" in 1871.
According to the 1883 Cass County Tax Rolls, Henry's father owned 393 acres of land at $465, one buggy or wagon valued at $25, two mules or horses valued at $80, and 12 cattle valued at $90.
Amy Cheatham was born between 1855 and 1857, and there are two documented dates for Amy's birth. The dates are January 1, 1855 and June 1857. However, statewide recordings of Texas birth certificates and vital records did not begin until 1903.
Amy's parents were Jane and Jackson Kemp from Alabama and Georgia. According to oral history, it is also believed that Amy was also a member of the Turner family.
Henry Cheatham married Amy Kemp on March 20, 1875 in Marion County, Texas. Together, Henry and Amy raised and supported a family of 18 children on the family land.
In addition to Wesley and Mary Jane, the Cheatham siblings were Tommy, Nathan, Joel, Pearlie, Mandy, Francis, Vacie, Hattie, Willie, Susie, Bertha, Osley D., Ennis, Elizabeth (Isabel), Della, Azzie and Cassie.
The children were raised on the family farm where they made a modest but adequate living. The children were utilized as farm labor, and cotton was a primary source of income. Crops planted, cultivated, and harvested in the family farm were a primary source of food for the family table.
The children were educated at the Love Chapel School located in Hughes Springs, Texas. The Cheathams were active members of the Love Chapel Baptist Church and the community, where many held positions of office. There are current active family members attending Love Chapel Church holding office positions today.
The Cheatham Family Cemetary, also located in Hughes Springs, was land donated by Henry Clay's father, Wesley Cheatham, who was buried in this land in 1897.
Henry and Amy Cheatham, along with many of our Cheatham and Turner family members, are also buried within the family cemetery.
Sara Abernathy Cheatham was buried within the Hear Cemetery, located in Avinger, Texas on February 1899.
In summary, Henry acquired over 300 acres of land known as the Cheatham Estate, which is still prevalent in Cass County, Hughes Springs, Texas, and owned by Cheatham descendants.
The Osage Orange Tree, better known as the Bois D'Arc Tree, can be found on the Cheatham family farm. The tree is known for its deep roots, durability, history, strength, which define the accomplishments and unity of the Cheatham family today. Written by: Karen Rogers.