The Chamblees of Cass County

JOHN THOMAS CHAMBLEE John Thomas Chamblee was born January 31, 1843, (a twin to Jams E.) in Cherokee Co.. Georgia. His parents were William Chamlee, born ca 1818 and Elizabeth Pagh who were married Sept. 27, 1841 in Cherokee Co.

Other children born to this union were: Willian F., Tilmon Thomas, Francis M., Henry Hark, Louvenia and Mary F.

John T. and his twin brother, Janes K. both served in the CSA in Georgia and appeared on the roster as privates Aug. 31, 1861. Janes S. surrendered at Greensboro. N. C. April 26, 1865 and John T. was wounded at Ocean Pond. Fla. and sent to the hospital Feb. 20, 1864; roll for April 30. 1864 shows him absent and wounded.

John was married to Martha Hesentine Thomas Nor. 4, 1866 in Cherokee Co., Ga. Their first seven children, all born in Georgia, were: 1. Temperance Elizabeth, born Jan. 19, 1869, died July 10, 1964, married Galveston Moulder, had 9 children. 2. Willian Wesley, born July 11, 1872, died .March 1, 1954. married Lou Belle Johnson, 14 children 3. Mary Ellen, born April 15, 1875, died July 16, 1963, married Joseph Leonard Wiggins, 12 children. 4, James Ambrose, born Dec. 12, 1877, died May 27, 1933, married Minnie Lou Walker, 13 children. 5. John Thomas, Jr. (Tom), born July 28, 1880. died Apr. 9, 1957. married Ozella Sherman, 5 children. 6. Walter Francis, born Sept. 26, 1882, died Dec. 26, 1964, married Roxie Belle Walker, 12 children. 7. Henry Warner, born July 4, 1885. died July 22, 1898, buried Beach Creek Cemetery. Their 8th child. Jessie S. Judson Chamblee was born after arrival in Texas on Jan. 25, 1892, died Dee. 13. 1924, married Irene Thomas, 1 child.

John Thomas Chamlee related to his son, Tom, about their trip from Georgia. They came by rail boarding car in the year 1888. Tom told his daughter, Cleo, that it was quite an adventure for him, being only eight years old. Upon arriving in Cass Co., Texas John T. discovered “Red John” Chamblee’s Saloon and learned that they must be cousins although John T. had no “b” in his name. In exchange for a 5-year free lease on some land to be cleared, “Red John” convinced him to replace the “b” so they could claim close kin with him. He later bought 80 acres from “Red John”, and they became very good friends, but John T. would never drink his whiskey!

John and Martha Hesentine raised their family here in Cass Co. and all their offspring married and lived in and near Atlanta. He died Aug. 28, 1904 and she died March 5, 1917. Both are buried in Beech Creek Cemetery, Cass Co., TX.

WALTER FRANCIS CHAMBLEE Walter Francis Chamblee Has born Sept. 26, 1882 in Cherokee Co., Ga. His parents were John Thomas Chamblee and Martha Hesentine Thomas.

At the age of six, Walter Francis Chamblee came with his parents in a rail boarding car from his native home in Georgia near Canton. He and his brothers cleared land after arriving here in Cass County in 1888 for “Red John” Chamblee, who they discovered to be a cousin to their father. In exchange for a free five-year lease of the land “Red John” asked that they add the “b” back into their name (it had been dropped back in Georgia by an Uncle Tilmon Chamblee, Walter said they sure had to work hard Just for a “b”.

He later owned some of that same land and raised his family there.

Walter Francis married July 3. 1904, Cass County, Texas, Roxie Belle Walker, born Oct. 2, 1888, Ga. Her parents were Robert Lee Walker, (1868-1938) and Mary Ann Albertine Ingram (1855-1919).

Walter and Roxie Chamblee were the parents of twelve children, all of their names began with “A”. 1. Austin John, born June 1, 1905, died July 27, 1970, married Lizzie Mae Brown, had 5 children. 2. Arthur Lee, born Feb. 4. 1907. died Oct. 31. 1981, married Monnie Mae Griffin, 3 children. 3. Annie Mae, born Sept. 5. 1908, died Nov. 6, 1972, married William Albert Brown, 3 children. 4. Ada Hesentine, born Apr. 23, 1910, died Dec. 19, 1975, married Houston Taylor, 4 children. 5. Attison Conway, born Apr. 4, 1912, married Eloise Watkins, 2 children. 6. Addie, born Jan. 13, 1914. died Oct. 16, 1971, married Lewis Luttrell, 3 children.7. Azelle J., born Nov. 25, 1915, married A. J. Roberts, 4 children. 8. Alice Jane, born Mar. 4, 1918,married Norman Richley Finlayson, 5 children. 9. Arline, born Feb. 23, 1920. married Wm. Howard Smith, 1 child . 10. Aline, born Nov. 14, 1921, married Norman Lee Parker, 1 child. 11. Walter Arlington, born Oct. 22, 1924, married Bobbie____, 4 children. 12. Roxie Addine, born Nov. 15, 1926, died Feb. 19, 1927.

Walter and Roxie were good Christian parents and worked hard at raising their family by farming. They were active members of Smyrna Baptist Church and Walter served as trustee of Smyrna school at one time.

Walter died Dee. 26, 1964. Roxie died Nov. 15, 1926 in childbirth. They are buried in Smyrna Cemetery.

AUSTIN JOHN CHANBLEE Austin John Chamblee was born June 1, 1905, Atlanta, Cass County, Texas. His parents were Walter Francis Chamblee and Roxie Belle Walker. Austin’s father came to Cass Co. from Cherokee County, Georgia in 1888.

Austin attended Unity school in the Smyrna community and is said to have enjoyed and excelled in arithmetic.

He was married August 7. 1923 in Cass Co. to Lizzie Mae Brown who was born Sept. 21, 1905, Cass Co. Her parents were William Mathis Brown (1873-1962) and Martha Ann Thomas (1879-1961).

Austin and Lizzie Mae were the parents of five children: 1. Paschal Jefferson, born July 1, 1924; married Mary Eloise Perry. They have two children and five grandchildren. 2. Lera Louise, born Mar. 11, 1927; married Roy Leonard Simmons, one child and two grandchildren. 3. Martha Melbadene. born Sept. 7, 1931; married Lester Kennedy, Jr. Two children and three grandchildren. 4. Infant daughter born April 22. 1930 and died same day. 5.Jerry Reagan, born May 10, 1941; married 1st. Juanita Joyce Sprayberry; 2nd. Dorothy Elizabeth Falkner.

Austin and Lizzie Mae were a hardworking, well respected, kind Christian couple. They were active members of Smyrna Baptist Church where they always believed in taking their family even if it meant walking several miles over dusty roads. Lizzie Mae’s first Monday morning task was to shine and polish their dusty shoes for the next Sunday.

Austin loved his family and was a good provider. He worked at most anything, farming, butchering, plumbing, oil field work and for a while he worked at Red River Arny Depot in Texarkana as well as Arkla-Gas Co. in Atlanta. He was a very generous man and would do anything to help others.

He believed in honesty and fairness and striving to do the best job he could. He was most comfortable in his blue denim overalls, and he delighted in a simple, unharmful prank for a laugh.

Friends and relatives always like to go to their house. Lizzie Mae was a good cook and many a late-night catch of fish enjoyed there; refrigeration was scarce, so they had to be eaten right away. Many times, when she cooked a cake for a special occasion she had to hide It. even so, the boys found one hidden in a suitcase one day.

Lizzie Mae has always liked all kinds of handwork including embroidery and crochet. Many of her items will be treasured by children and grandchildren and friends for years to come. She loves the pastel colors of springtime, especially green. Austin John died July 27, 1970 and is buried in Smyrna cemetery.