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- Biography of James Monroe Biddy, published by Stacie Fiebrich (findagrave.com)
SUMMARY OF THE LIFE OF JAMES MONROE BIDDY:
James Monroe Biddy was born in Feb 23, 1837 possible in Washington County, Texas. He was the son of Abednego and Martha Biddy and appears to have been their youngest son.
When James was 21 years old he married Miss. Polly Williams who was 16 at the time. They were married Jan 26, 1859 in DeWitt County, Texas. The Rev. Enoch Jones performed the ceremony, and Mary Witnips was the witness. Though her name was Polly James called her Mary (Possibly a middle name). This was revealed when James and his wife, Mary Biddy, sold some land together later that yr, Oct 13, 1859. On July 9, 1860 Polly gave birth to George Henry Biddy. She died only four days later on July 13, 1860. Thus James Biddy was widowed at an early age with an infant son to care for. From all indications he relied on his mother, Martha and sister-in-law, Elizabeth Biddy (wife of Hamilton Biddy and sister of his deceased wife Polly Williams-Biddy) to assist him in the rearing of his son. During the Civil War James answered to the call of the confederacy and went to war. Having returned from the war in 1863 he resumed his life as a rancher until he sold 120 acres of his land to GW Crosson on May 9, 1866. He either lived on the 30 acres he had left or went to live with his mother, Martha since Abednego (his father) appears to have died about that time. James married again on feb 15, 1867 to Mrs. Harriett Miller in DeWitt County. W.W. Holland performed the service and the witnesses were E. Schoonver and William Williams. Harriett was about 12 years older that James, and there is no evidence that they ever had any children. After his marriage to Harriett he did a tour of duty with the Texas Rangers. James moved to Mason County in 1871 after his first tour of duty with the Rangers. It was probably during this time of service with the rangers he became familar with Mason County and decided to move there. It can be assumed that the two families of James and Hamilton Biddy moved to Mason County at the same time. Hamilton Biddy had to be alive in 1869 because his daughter, Harriett, was born in 1870. He is believed to have died about the time of her birth. Elizabeth Biddy had registed a cattle brand in Mason County. James Biddy took the brand over on Feburay 20, 1872 (probably because Elizabeth had died at that time). He also assumed the responsiblity of rearing her three children; Jasper Benjamin, Susan, and Harriett. After James sold his 160 acre patent to Young-Anderson for $1000.00 the family broke up. James son George Henry Biddy move to Lampassas, Texas and Susan and Jasper Benjamin moved to Gatesville in Coryell County, Texas. James's Mother Martha Biddy probably died in Mason county. No further information on Harriett, Susan and Jasper Benjamin's sister, has been found presently. James M. Biddy and his wife Harriett, immigrated from Mason County to New Mexico. At this time nothing is known about where or how long they lived in New Mexico. The only lead presently available is a photo that was taken in Eddy, New Mexico. There is presently NO EDDY, NEW MEXICO so the matter will have to be looked into further through the New Mexico Historical Society. Harriett Biddy died Jan 18, 1898 presumably in New Mexico. James M. Biddy returned to the home of his son, George Henry Biddy in Lampassas, Texas. He died there Sept 29, 1905 and is buried in Oak hill Cemetery, Lampassas, Texas.
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1837 - 1905 (68 years)
