1813 SC - 1895 TX

  Jesse Welch was born 22 September 1813 in Greenville, South Carolina. He was the son of Daniel and Priscilla Welch of Raburn's Creek. Jesse married Nancy Moore in Greenville, S.C. about 1834 where the family lived until 1844. Upon the death of his father, Jesse inherited 250 acres on Raburn's Creek. Jesse and Nancy's children were: Jesse Bluford, William C., Oliver Alberry, Zadock, and Caroline, all born in South Carolina [Caroline Welch m. John Nalley; she died 23 Aug 1932 Love Co Oklahoma. Her death certificate names her mother as Nancy Moore].

By 1848, Jesse was a grocer in Eastport, Mississippi, at that time a bustling port on the Mississippi River. In 1849, Jesse bound three of his sons into apprenticeships -Oliver Alberry to Nehamiah Hamlin, Jesse Bluford to Josiah J. Reynolds, and William C. to G.W. Smith. Irene Barne's book, "Echoes of the Past" reflects life in Eastport during the mid-1800's and contains an informative story of the death of Jesse's sister, Alsey Westmoreland in Texas around 1846. Jesse had in his possession at that time a Negro named Daniel, who was to be Alsey's legacy upon her mother's death. Apparently, Jesse's mother, Priscilla died and Jesse had Daniel in his possession. Upon news of Alsey's death, Jesse made petition to the court to sell Daniel. Documents concerning this settlement are in the Alcorn County Courthouse, Corinth, Mississippi [Book L, P.60].

The 1850 Tishimingo County Census, indicates Jesse had a wife named Martha [Martha F. Houston], and one son, James Daniel Welch, six months of age. Jesse Welch was a charter member of Eastport Masonic Lodge. The 1860 Tishimingo County Census, shows Nancy Houston, age 50 and Wilson Houston, age 18 living in the Jesse Welch household. By 1869 Jesse moved his family to Hardin County, Tennessee on a farm just outside Savannah because the Great Flood and Civil War had about destroyed the Eastport economy. The Jesse Welch family is identified in the 1870 Hardin County, Tennessee Census with Nancy Houston, age 65 in the household.

Around 1878, when Jesse was 65 years of age, he again moved his family, this time to Texas.  They walked much of the way taking everything they owned with the help of an ox-drawn cart. By 1880 Jesse had settled his family in Bell County, Texas.  The children of Jesse and Martha Houston Welch were: James Daniel, Adeline Delphia, Joseph, Jestana (Jessie Lee), John F., and Robert Monroe all born in Eastport, Mississippi; Albert Lee and Charles Thomas were born in Hardin County, Tennessee near Savannah.

Jesse Welch died March 4, 1895 in Moody, Texas at the age of 82. His wife, Marthie Welch died June 17, 1907 at the age of 76. Both Jesse and Martha are buried in the Moody Cemetery, Moody, Texas [McLennan County], as are many of their children and grandchildren.