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 Elizabeth Jane Dunbar and husband William Henry "Captain Billie" Sterling Photos courtesy
of Darrell Rogers |
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Eliza Jane, daughter of William and Olive Manning Dunbar, was born in Lincolnville Maine c 1844. She died at the Texas Gulf Sulphur Hospital in Gulf on December 31, 1930 at the age of 85 and was buried at Matagorda Cemetery. Capt. Billie and Charles Baker staked the first oyster claim in Matagorda County. He operated a freight boat during the Civil War which was confiscated by the Union for their own use. William Sterling, Eliza Jane and William's half brother "Bud" Sterry as well as Eliza Jane's sister, Lucretia Dunbar, were taken to a prison in New Orleans and held until the war ended. Capt. Billie and Eliza Jane had 9? children some of whom were: Nettie J. b c 1868; John b c 1872; Addie J. b c 1875; Lida b c 1878; and Birdie, b August 6, 1881.
Three children survived to adulthood. |
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1. William Sterling, Co. D, 6 Texas Infantry; Private-Private 2. Pvt; Capt. E. A. Peareson’s Company, 6 Regiment Texas Infantry; Age 24 years; Company Muster-in Roll Oct 4, 1861 at Camp Hy E McCulloch; Joined for duty and enrolled Oct 4, 1861 at Matagorda by Capt. E. A. Peareson; Period: war; 85 miles to rendezvous 3. Company Muster Roll for Oct 4 to 31, 1861; Enrolled July 11, 186_ at Matagorda by Capt. Peareson; Mustered into service Oct. 4, 186_ at Victoria by Lt. J. H. Dinkins 4. Company Muster Roll for Nov & Dec, 1861; Enrolled July 11, 1861 at Matagorda by Capt. E. A. Peareson; Remarks: Absent without (over) 5. (back of index page # 4) leave furlough expired on the 17 Dec 1861 6. Company Muster roll for Jan & Feb, 1862 – Absent; Pay due from enlistment; Remarks: Sick in Hospital since Jan. 6, 1862 7. Company Muster Roll for Mar & Apr, 1862 – Absent; Pay due from enlistment; Remarks: Absent on certificate of Disability for Discharge 8. Company Muster Roll for May & June, 1862; Remarks: Discharged June (over) 9. (back of index page #8) 28, 1862 cause disability as per Special order Dp Hed quarters 10. Certificate of Disability For Discharge in the case of William Sterling a Private Co. D Sixth Reg’t of Texas Infantry; Respectfully ___ for the Action of the General Commanding the Department of Texas; T. S. Anderson, Lt. Col. Comg Post; Received (A. & I. G. Office) Sept. 26, 1862; Headquarters Dept of Texas, Houston, May 20, 1862; Special Order No. 762; The Genl Comdg directs that Private William Sterling of Co. “D” 6th Regt. Texas Vol. Infantry be discharged from the service on account of disability. By order of Brig. Genl R. O. Hebert; __Wilson, ___
11. Army of the Confederate States. Certificate
of Disability For Discharge. William Sterling, a Private, of Captain
E. A. Peareson’s Company, (D,) of the Sixth Regiment of Confederate
States Army, was enlisted by 2nd Lieutenant J. H. Dinkins
attached to the Sixth Regiment of Texas Infantry at Victoria Texas
on the fourth day of October 1861, to serve for the war; he was born
in Matagorda in the State of Texas, is Twenty four years of age,
five feet, five inches high, Dark complexion, Dark eyes, brown hair,
and by occupation when enlisted a Sailor?. During the last two
months said soldier has been unfit for duty 60 days. Resulting from
a chronic disease of the Heart.; Station: Camp Henry McCulloch;
Date: Third May of May 1862; E. A. Peareson Commanding Company; I
certify, that I have carefully examined the said Pvt. William
Sterling of Captain E. A. Peareson’s Company, and find him incapable
of performing the duties of a soldier because of endocarditas; J. H.
Lyons Surgeon; Discharged this 10th day of June, 1862, at
Camp __ __ Navasota Texas; R. R. Garland Col. C. S. A Commanding the
Post |
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Capt. Sterling rounded up at the wharf with a load of fine Bayou oysters for our oysterman, Jno. H. Berg, yesterday.
Matagorda County Tribune, December 17,
1898 |
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Capt. Wm. Sterling returned from Rockport last Saturday, where he had been looking after his interest in hog island. He says the club house being erected by Messrs. Green et al., will, when completed, be a magnificent building, if not the finest of the kind on the coast.
Matagorda County Tribune, February 11,
1899 |
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1900 Federal Census of Texas 49-49 |
Alberta Bernice "Birdie"
Sterling Rhodes LeCompte |
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1910 Federal Census of Texas 117-117 |
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1920 Federal Census of Texas 199-196 |
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1930 Federal Census of Texas 201-211 |
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Capt. Wm Sterling went to Bay City on business Sunday and returned Monday.
Matagorda
County Tribune, December 4, 1903 |
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He received the Southern Cross of Honor of the United Daughters of
the Confederacy from the E. S. Rugley Chapter 542 UDC.
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Capt. "Billie" Sterling, one of the oldest citizens of Matagorda died at his home in Matagorda yesterday and was buried there at 10 o'clock this morning. He was 83 years of age. A more detailed account of the life of Capt. Sterling will appear in a later issue of The Tribune, Matagorda County Tribune, February 11, 1921
[No following account was found.] |
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To the Officers and Members of Matagorda Review No. 48, of the Woman's Benefit Association of the Maccabees We, your committee appointed to draft resolutions of sympathy to our sisters, Mrs. Addie Baxter and Mrs. Thelma Nini, we beg to submit the following. "Whereas it has pleased our Heavenly Father to call Mr. Sterling, beloved father of Mrs. Addie Baxter, and Grandfather of Mrs. Thelma Nini, from his earthly home, to a home beyond the skies. "We, as members of the Woman's Benefit Association of the Maccabees, extend to our Sister Baxter and Sister Nini our deepest, sincere, and heartfelt sympathy in their sad bereavement. "May God bless and comfort them, and may they bow submissively to the will of Him that doesn't all things well. Resolved that a copy of these resolutions be sent to our bereaved sisters and a copy be spread upon the minutes and a copy be sent to The Tribune for publication.
Dearest father, thou hast left us, "Committee--Myrtle Ducros, R. K., Viola Gilmore, Past Com., Sarah Autzehopper, Chap."
Matagorda County Tribune, February 18,
1921 |
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Services for Robert John Baxter were held Sunday afternoon at 3:30 o'clock at the Methodist Church in Matagorda, with the Rev. George Olson officiating. Mr. Baxter passed away November 6 at the age of 82 years. Burial was in the Matagorda Cemetery with Taylor Brothers Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Survivors include his wife; one daughter, Mrs. Thelma Nini of Matagorda; two sons, J. C. Baxter of Matagorda and W. S. Baxter of Wadsworth; five sisters, Mrs. Lida Moberly, Mrs. Lou Ellis, Mrs. W. E McNabb, Mrs. Bessie Baker, all of Matagorda, and Mrs. Anna Lee of Bay City; one brother, Collins Baxter of Matagorda.
November 11, 1954
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