Marquis de Lafayette Fulgham

Isle of Wight, Virginia

In the first half of the 17th century, people in England and the surrounding countries began immigrating west to new lands in America. Many settlers were in search of religious freedom and a fresh start in America. America was touted as fertile land, plenty of trees and all the room anyone could ever use. 

Isle of Wight, Virginia was established shortly after the first colony, Jamestown, was founded in 1607. The first English plantations were established by Puritan colonists. The land around Isle of Wight is generally low-lying with many swamps. This low, swampy area became a haven for new immigrants. 

Captain Anthony Fulgham was born in 1650 in England. Captain Anthony and his father were the first Fulghams to make the long, dangerous trip across the Atlantic ocean to America. They happened to land in Isle of Wight, Virginia. 

The Isle of Wight Fulghams were considered prominent citizens for the time. Many Fulghams appear on deeds for land and as witnesses for estates and wills. 

Captain Anthony had a great-grandson named Micajah. By the time Micajah was born, parts of the Fulgham family had travelled south through North Carolina, South Carolina and parts of Georgia. 

Micajah was born in 1767, Isle of Wight, Virginia. It is likely that father and son travelled to Georgia together. 

In 1788, Micajah made his way to Wilkes County, Georgia. Considered Georgia’s first county, Wilkes County is located very near the South Carolina-Georgia state line. There in Wilkes County, Micajah married an unknown woman. About a year later in 1789, the newlywed couple gave birth to Nancy. Micajah’s young wife died shortly thereafter. 

Around this time, Wilkes County, Georgia was about to revolutionize the way cotton was produced. In Washington, Wilkes County, Georgia, Eli Whitney created the cotton gin. 

With a 5 year old daughter in 1794, Micajah married Rachel Taylor in Montgomery County, Georgia. Montgomery County is one county removed from the Atlantic ocean, near Savannah. Rachel Taylor was born in Isle of Wight, Virginia, so it is likely the Taylor and Fulgham families knew each other. 

Between 1795 and 1805 Micajah and Rachel had Isaac Taylor, Lucretia, Jesse, Irena Phairy, Henry, and James Hiram, all while still in Montgomery County. Montgomery County was also the death place for Micajah’s father, John in 1801. 

Evidently, Micajah and Rachel moved westward because another son, Edmond Brantley, was born in Baldwin County, Georgia on June 14, 1807. The Fulgham family didn’t stay in Baldwin County long, because in 1809 Ezekiel Taylor was born in Twiggs County, Georgia. Ezekiel Taylor was followed by four more children: George Franklin, Sallie Glenn, Robert Cummins, and Allen Hill Fulgham. The Micajah Fulgjam family consisted of 15 people by 1820. 

In the early 1800s, Twiggs County was a rural county in the geographic center of Georgia. The Piedmont Plateau’s gentle rolling hills framed Twiggs County to the north, while the rest of the county was dense piney woods. 

Micajah Fulgham was a prominent Baptist minister in Twiggs County. His children grew up in a very religious household, probably including regular fasting. Micajah was a member and moderator of the Ebeneezer Baptist Association. This association provided ministers to Southern Georgia and missionaries to Native Indians. Micajah’s children were raised in the Baptist church and attended Richland Baptist Church throughout their father’s ministry there. 

“Richland Baptist Church was constituted October 5, 1811 with 4 male and 8 female members. The first pastor was Rev. Micajah Fulgham. In June 1861 the ladies of this church made and presented a Confederate flag to the Twiggs Guard. Mrs. Isolene Minter Wimberley made the presentation to Sgt. Warren, color bearer of the Co. I. 6th Georgia Regiment. During the war the ladies gathered in the church to prepare first aid kids. Doors of the church closed for regular services in 1911. The Richland Restoration League, Inc. was organized in 1928 to preserve this “Landmark of Christianity.” 

- Historical Marker, Richland Baptist Church, Twiggs County, Georgia

In addition to Micajah’s occupation as a minister, at least two other sons were ministers. Ezekiel T. is listed as a “minister of the gospel” in county records later in Texas, and Robert Cummins also became a Baptist minister. Robert Cummins married Madoriah in Natchez, Mississippi and moved to Texas about 1840. There, he was first clerk and later moderator of the Louisiana-Texas Predestinarian Baptist Association. 

No doubt religion played a huge role in the Fulgham family during this time. 

In 1824 President James Monroe wanted to motivate Americans. Monroe invited the only living Revolutionary War general and a Frenchman, Marquis de Lafayette, to tour the United States. From July 1824 to September 1825, Marquis de Lafayette made a famous tour of the United States. 

Marquis de Lafayette had fought alongside George Washington during the Revolutionary War over 40 years earlier. Marquis de Lafayette fought in notable battles including the battle of Brandywine. After the war Marquis de Lafayette returned to France to pursue a career in politics. 

From August 1824 - October 15 1824 Marquis de Lafayette toured the Northern states. Finally, in October, Marquis de Lafayette began his way south, stopping at Mount Vernon, Virginia to visit George Washington’s tomb. A few days later he arrived in Norfolk, Virginia where he spent 4 days. On November 4, Marquis de Lafayette visited Thomas Jefferson at Monticello. 

Finally on March 19, 1825 Marquis de Lafayette arrived in Savannah, Georgia. Documentation isn’t available about his travels west, but during that Spring Marquis de Lafayette travelled 150 miles west to Myrick’s Mill, Twiggs County, Georgia and left a lasting impression on  Edmond Brantley Fulgham. 

“This old mill has been in operation in the same building for at least 150 years. In 1825 on his visit to Georgia, Marquis de Lafayette stopped here and found this mill grinding corn and making unbolted flour.”

- Myrick’s Mill Historical Marker, Twiggs County, Georgia

Edmond Brantley Fulgham would have been almost 19 when Marquis de Lafayette visited Myrick’s Mill, located only 13 miles from his father’s church. Marquis de Lafayette would have been a spectacle. He was regaled in Revolutionary War attire, accompanied by a large entourage, including his son, George Washington de Lafayette. Most towns welcomed him as a hero. School children were brought out to see him. Some towns even gave parades. 

In 1825 Myrick’s MIll was grinding corn and making unbolted flour. Unbolted flour is flour that isn’t sifted, allowing debris to contaminate the flour. In a fairly rural area, the settlers probably thought unbolted flour was better than no flour. 

“As soon as he [Marquis de Lafayette] reached a city market, he sent back a piece of silk so the mill could bolt its flour and provide the people of their section with better food. The General’s thoughtfulness was greatly appreciated by the early settlers”

• Myrick’s Mill Historical Marker, Twiggs County, Georgia

Silk from a Frenchman was more than many Twiggs County settlers could have imagined. Now their flour would be bolted they could eat more nutritious food. 

The Fulgham family next moved to Lawrence County, Mississippi. Lawrence County, located in the South-western portion of Mississippi is where Micajah Fulgham died in 1821. Rachel followed him in 1833. 

While in Lawrence County, Edmond Brantley married a woman. Her name might have been Caroline. Edmond and Caroline had their first child, a son, Francis Marion in 1833. 

Three years later in Choctaw County, Mississippi they welcomed another son, Marquis de Lafayette Fulgham. Eleven years after Marquis de Lafayette’s kind gesture of silk, Edmond Brantley named his second son the same name, in honor of him. 

Choctaw County, Mississippi is located in the North-Central portion of Mississippi, at least 150 miles from Lawrence County. 

The growing Edmond Brantley Fulgham family next moved to Hempstead County, Arkansas. There, Edmond and Caroline welcomed three more children, Mary in 1837, George W. on August 1, 1840, and Sarah E on February 5, 1843. Hempstead County, Arkansas is 30 miles from Texarkana, Texas, a solid 350 miles from Choctaw County, Mississippi. 

Edmond Brantley is reported to have served in the Texas Militia in 1840 during the Texas Revolution under Captain Enloe. With brothers Ezekiel T., Jesse, James Hiram, Henry, and possibly Robert Cummins in the Militia out of Tyler County, Texas in very south eastern Texas, it is likely that Edmond felt compelled to support his brothers and defend his family since he lived 30 miles from the Texas border. 

In 1849 while living in Hempstead County, Arkansas Edmond Brantley Fulgham died at the age of 42. Marquis de Lafayette Fulgham would have been 13 years old when his father died. 

On March 13, 1861 at the onset of the American Civil War, Marquis de Lafayette Fulgham married Catherine Smith from Carroll County, Georgia. They were probably married in Cass County, Texas. Ten months after their marriage their first son arrived: William Edmond Fulgham on December 31. 

Marquis and Catherine’s next child wasn’t born until July 1866. This fact almost proves by itself that Marquis fought in the Civil War. Indeed, the 18th Regiment, Texas Infantry (Ochitree’s) roster lists Marquis de Lafayette, Francis M. (Marquis’ older brother), George T.W. (Marquis’ youngest brother), as well as John M., C.T., and Abraham Fulgham, likely cousins. 

According to the National Park Service Soldiers and Sailors database, many members of the 18th Regiment were from the towns of Rusk, Jefferson, Sulpher Springs, and Jacksonville. Jefferson, Texas is only 27 miles south of Cass County. 

The 18th fought in Louisiana and Arkansas, and took part in the operations against Banks’ Red River Campaign and was engaged in Jenkins’ Ferry. Jenkins’ Ferry ended in a Union victory when Federal troops were able to cross the Saline Rive in Central Arkansas. In May 1865, the regiment disbanded. 

Back home in Cass County, Texas, around or before October 1865, Marquis de Lafayette was reunited with Catherine and William Edmond, now 5 years old. 

Only July 7, 1866 Marquis de Lafayette Fulgham and Catherine welcomed George Thomas, followed by Lounetter on November 4, 1868, John M. on January 17, 1871, and Henry Jackson on February 2, 1873. 

Between February 1873 and September 1875, the growing family moved to Van Zandt County, Texas. In 1873 the Texas Pacific Railway was completed in Northern Van Zandt  County. Understandably this caused a rapid expansion of the farming economy. Settlers no longer had to drive to Shreveport to sell their goods; now they could use the railroad. Between 1870 and 1880 the population of Van Zandt County nearly doubled. 

Marquis de Lafayette Fulgham’s family added 7 members upon arrival. In addition, Wylie de Lafayette was born on September 21, 1875 and James A. on January 19, 1878. 

There is reason to believe Marquis may have used the name Marcus or Mark. A death certificate for one of his sons lists the son’s father as “Mark”. The 18th Regiment roster also lists a “Marcus D. L. Fulgham”. 

In the late part of the 19th century, Van Zandt County produced mainly corn and oats. It’s reasonable to assume Marquis Fulgham was a farmer. 

Catherine passed away April 30, 1894. Marquis de Lafayette Fulgham passed away February 17, 1903. They are both buried in New Harmony Cemetery, Van Zandt County, Texas. 

The year after his mother, Catherine, died twenty-two year old Henry Jackson married 18 year old Ida Ellen Frances Morris. Not much is known about Henry Fulgham. Henry Jackson’s death certificate lists his occupation as a farmer. 

Two years after their marriage in 1897, Henry and Ellen, or Ellie as she is sometimes referred to, welcomed the first of 4 girls, Ollie Frances. On July 14, 1900 Lillie Sade joined big sister Ollie. Next, Artie Lee was born on April 16, 1905. 

The baby girl, Onie was born on June 22, 1912, only to die September 18, 1919. 

In the 1930 census Henry and Ellen had an empty nest. All three living girls had married and began families of their own. 

Unlike his father and grandfather, Henry didn’t know war and he didn’t create a new home. He died at age 57 and is buried in Prairie Springs Cemetery, Van Zandt County, Texas. 

Ellen Fulgham lived until 1957, making her 80 years old when she passed. 

Ollie, the oldest girl born to Henry and Ellen, married William Harris Brantley. William Harris descended from Edward Brantley, born in 1622 in England and died in 1688 in Isle of Wight, Virginia. It’s very interesting that both families descend from the same portal in America. 

Similarly to Ollie Fulgham’s descendants, William Harris Brantley’s family began moving into North Carolina in the early part of the 18th century. Georgia was the next move, followed by Leake County, Mississippi. 

William Harris’ father, Robert Harris Brantley served as a private in the 33rd Regiment of the Mississippi Infantry. This regiment saw plenty of action, including the siege at Vicksburg. The 33rd contained men from Amite, Wilkinson, Leake, Franklin, and Pike counties. 

Sometime between 1910 and 1916 William Harris Brantley moved from Leake County, Mississippi to Van Zandt County, Texas. 

On July 23, 1916 William married Ollie Fulgham. The groom was 27 and the bride was 19. Ollie and Harris settled in the Ben Wheeler area of Van Zandt County, Texas. 

This account was my first written genealogical study. I didn't source anything back then! Apologies.