JAMES BLACK LONG and MARY ELIZABETH FOREMAN
James Black Long |
James was born July 23, 1826, according to his tombstone. He was the eldest child of William F. Long and Mary Elizabeth Black. In 1860, he was living with his sister, Jane Long Gilliland, in Caldwell County, Texas. The Long Family Record says of James B. Long:
He was a member of the Christian Church. A 6' 2" tall man, weight 210 lbs. Born in Shelbyville, Tennessee, but after his mother's death he lived with his two aunts in Alabama. He came through East Texas and roamed around as a gambler, making much money - at times more than he could carry. Was known to light his pipe at times with dollar bills. He stayed for awhile in the Indian Territory and was almost killed in a dispute with the Indians over his lost blanket. The Indian Chief set him free and he never returned to the Indian Territory. |
Marriage and Military Service |
In Caldwell County, James B. Long married Mary E. Foreman on 17 Jan. 1861. James Black Long, known as Jim, was remembered as a big man. The family story implies that he left for the Civil War in May of 1861. Perhaps he was in another unit at the beginning, but he spent most of the war as the 1st Lieutenant of Company K of the 17th Regiment. He enrolled in that company on 27 March 1862, at age 36. He was "promoted to the office of 1st Lieut. by Seniority" on 9 June 1862. His military records also indicate he was captured at Pleasant Hill 9 April 1864 and was absent sick at Piedmont Springs on 14 April 1865. He wrote the letter to Matilda Long May which informed her of her husband's death at the Battle of Milliken's Bend on 7 June 1863. In that letter Matilda's brother James wrote her that at the time of the battle, "I was left behind very sick." James B. Long's military record shows he was present with his company in July and August of 1863, but was sick. |
Homeplace |
Jim and Mary Elizabeth "Sis" Foreman Long lived near McMahan in Caldwell County. In the 1930's, when the Long Family Record was compiled, their old log home was "still standing, though some addition has been built to it". It was then known "as the Lewis Alexander Place". Jim and Mary Long's son, Edgar, recalled long wagon trips to Austin to buy groceries including a barrel each of flour and molasses and a half barrel of brown sugar. According to Edgar, fresh vegetables were available only in the spring garden. Corn bread was cooked three times a day. Biscuits were a special treat for Sunday breakfast. | ||||||||
Wells Cemetery |
Jim and Mary Long were buried in the Wells Cemetery near Tilmon in Caldwell County. Their markers read: Priscilla Fuller Foreman is also buried there. The cemetery inscriptions show her born October 20, 1821, and died January 19, 1876. Priscilla was the wife of James Jackson Foreman, and daughter of Tryon Fuller. | ||||||||
Children |
James and Mary's children were:
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William Walter Long |
William Walter Long was born 5 November 1861. He died 23 September 1928. He was married 9 November 1897 to Della May Fortune. The newspaper commented that, "the groom is a well known young man of this city and the bride is a daughter of R. W. Fortune, the hotel keeper. May it be their Fortune to enjoy a Long and prosperous life." Della Fortune was born 11 July 1879, so was 18 when she married. Walter was 36. Click here for a picture of the Robert W. Fortune family.
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Edgar Long |
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James Robert Long |
Jim Bob was born 14 January 1868. He married Annie Cole 16 June 1902. | ||||||||
Etta Drew Long |
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