Harrison Fuller and his ancestors

In Medieval England, a “fuller” was a man connected with the woolen industry. His job was to process the sheep’s wool. Clay used in this process was known as “fuller’s earth”. It is apparent that this old surname was derived from this occupation.

The Fullers were hard working people of Welsh ancestry.

Samuel Fuller, a physician and deacon, Edward Fuller and Susanna Fuller White were passengers on the Mayflower in 1620. An interesting family tradition is a small trunk still in the possession of Willie Ford Tindol was supposed to have been brought over on the Mayflower by Susanna Fuller White. David and Malinda Fuller Kite brought the trunk to Texas in 1860 from Jonesboro, Georgia. They traveled by way of Red River to Shreveport, La,, to Jefferson, Texas by Cypress River, overland from Jefferson to Flat Creek near Marietta, Texas. Her father, Harrison Fuller 1812 - 1898 had settled here in 1858. We do not know how the John Fuller family gained possession of the trunk.

Ezekiel Fuller I, 1st authenticated, was born before 1678. His will is recorded at Isle of Wright County, Virginia. About 1692, he married Deborah Spivey. He was the father of 12 children. John Fuller, Sr. 1704 - 1810, wife’s name unknown, was an early volunteer in the Revolutionary War, from South Carolina. He also fought in the French and Indian Wars; He had a large family.

John Fuller, Jr. 1758 - 1857, served in the Rev. War, also. He married Mary “Polly” Shields, 1778 - 1853, about 1792. He fathered 9 children.

In 1784, he moved with his father from South Carolina to Georgia.

Harrison Fuller 1812 - 1898, 9th child of John Fuller, Jr. married Taracy Hanes 1813 -1871. She was the mother of his 13 children. In 1871 he married Frances M. Kennedy. In 1882, he married Nancy M. Booth. In 1886, he married Mandy Cameron.

In 1854, while living in Jonesboro, Georgia, there was a “Scarlet Fever Epidemic”. They lost four children and a grandchild with the fever. They decided to come to Texas. They came by covered wagon to Cass County, Texas in 1858. He bought 720 acres of land for six dollars an acre; paid for it in gold.

Harrison dammed up a pond on Flat Creek where he operated a cotton gin that was powered by a water wheel.

Harrison built a large comfortable house, using welldressed boxing lumber. It had beautiful ceilings and floors and was well kept. The kitchen was unattached to the main house. The Harrison Fuller Bible, which came with them from Georgia in 1858, was found in an old log smokehouse by Corinne Fuller Williams, a great granddaughter. The penmanship and spelling are most interesting. Each birth is recorded: “The Nativity of Harrison Fuller was on the 10th of March A. D. 1812”. There are five pages of birth, death, and marriage records. Their wedding certificate states: “Harson Fuller of Gorga and Tarcia Hanes of Gorga on 18th of August A, D, 1831 at her home by Lige P, Allen”, Harrison and Taracy are buried in Floyd Hill Cemetery. GEORGE MONROE FULLER George Monroe Fuller, Aug. 28, 1854 - Jan. 20, 1915, was born in Jonesboro, Ga. the 12th child of Harrison and Taracy Hanes Fuller. He came to Cass County, Texas in 1858 at the age of four. His brothers and sisters were Malinda 1832 - 1900 married David Kite; Mary Ann E. 1834 - 1851 married Leroy Kite; Jamima 1835 - 1885 married Edward Jack Allums; William J. 1837 - 1837; John E. 1838-1902 married Lucinda Swinford; Elijas P. Vanburen 1841 -1854; Robert Shields 1844 - 1854; Nancy 1845 - 1893 married Sidney Ellington; David A. J. 1848 - 1874 married Ailcy Jane Ellington; Comfort 1850 - 1910 married Henry T. Brooks-1886; Martha 1853 - 1854; George Monroe 1854 - 1915; unnamed infant 1856. Oct. 29, 1881, George Monroe married Georgia Annie Fleming Dec. 17, 1862 - Sept. 8, 1943. They are buried Corinth Cemetery, Cass Co. Texas. Then were farmers and operated a country store and blacksmith shop in the Almira Community. George’s health failed at age 54. He was bedridden the last 7 years of his life.

Issue 10. Winnie 1882 - 1890’s; Hallie 1885 - 1933 married Luther Cates-1902; Sebie Lee 1887 - 1955 married Lillie Penny-1907; Josie Anford 1890 - 1963 married Edna Smith - 1917; Ouida 1892 - 1970 married Lee Beasley 1912; Era (twin) 1897 - 1949 married 1st Dave Ash - 1921, 2nd William McCain; Unnamed (twin) 1897; Odis W. 1901 -1960 married Lydia Leftwich - 1924; Ollie Q. 1903 - 1980 married 2nd Mary Pearl Fletcher-1935: Velma 1907 - 1951 m. Luckel Niblett. Sebie Lee Fuller, July 28, 1887.- Sept. 21, 1955, married Lillie Florence Penny, Sept. 18, 1892 - Dec. 3, 1969, on Dec. 18, 1907 by Rev. W. W. Bartholomew.

Sebie and Lillie were farmers. They lived near Bethel Baptist Church, Cass County, Texas, which was convenient for them to care for the ministers and their families. As high as ten horses have been counted in their barn lot on Sunday.

They were charter members of Bethel Church. Sebie served as deacon and Lillie always taught a class and served as pianist. They are buried at Corinth Cemetery, Cass County, Texas.

Issue 13. Erna 1909 - 1979 married D. H. Boon -1932 Issue 2; Orville Lee 1910 - married Wilna Pant - 1939 Issue 3; Alvie Dee 1912-married Mary Lou Fant 1935 Issue 1; Bernice Mae 1914 - 1918; Era Lou 1916 married H. J. Daniel 1946 Issue 1; George Morris 1919 -1919; Maurine 1920 married Connie Cline 1952; Sloan Harold 1922 - 1923; Lester Earl 1924 - 1925; Iva Joyce 1926 married Halbrook Lake 1946; Paul Gerald 1928 married Lou Ann Roberson 1955 Issue 2; Edith 1931 married Lenord Fitts 1950 Issue 4; Sebie Lee, Jr. 1933 married Carol Ross 1964, Issue 2. Orville Lee Fuller, Aug. 21, 1910, married Wilna Fant, June 9, 1910, on June 3, 1939. Orville has been successful in the business world. Issue 3. Carolyn 1942 married Roy W. Boring 1937, in 1966 - Issue 2 - David Ray Boring 1973, Darin Lee Boring 1974; George Keith 1945, married Jo Beth Poteet - 1948 in 1968. Issue 2 - Toby Lee Fuller 1970, Stephen Todd Fuller 1973; Phyllis - 1947 married George C. Harrell -1946 in 1969. Issue 1 - Kyle Fant Harrell 1974.

- By Wilna Fant Fuller