James C. Womack- Farms in Apple Springs in 1880

In June, 1880, fifteen years after the civil war had ended, they took an Agricultural Census in Trinity County, Texas. James C. Womack, lived in Beat #4. His closest neighbors included his brothers, George Franklin Womack, and Thomas Womack, and two of his brothers-in-law, William Taylor and James Taylor. The census shows the dollar value of different components of each local farm.

Source Citation

Census Year: 1880; Census Place: Beat 4, Trinity, Texas; Archive Collection Number: T1134; Roll: 41; Page: 3; Line: 6; Schedule Type: Agriculture

The first section shows that JC Womack owned his land. James had tilled land, wooded land, and a large section of "old fields." The total dollar value of his farm, including land, fences, and buildings, was about $500. He owned two horses and a mule- typical in 1880 for most families in the community His livestock was valued at $425.  He paid $75 for farm labor- more than most of his neighbors. He sold about $535 worth of farm products that year.

James (#6) owned 8 milk cows. The record shows that Fannie had made about 300 pounds of butter that year. She kept about 20 chickens which had provided them with about 135 eggs. (Only about 11 dozen!) James also owned 10 pigs and 27 head of cattle and slaughtered 2 for meat that year.  

James was a farmer as well as a rancher. He planted 12 acres in corn, which resulted in 200 bushels of the crop, and 4 acres in cotton, which resulted in only 3 bales. He planted 10 acres in cow peas, and Fannie had a small garden with Irish and Sweet potatoes and an orchard with apple and peach trees.

The family cut about 15 cords of wood from their woodlands.

James C. Womack- Apple Springs Community in 1880

It was June, 1880, fifteen years after the end of the civil war. James C. Womack and Nancy Frances, "Fannie," Taylor were 30 years old, living on their farm in Trinity County, Texas. They had been married for ten years, and had three daughters; nine-year-old Emma, six-year-old Dona, and three-year-old Leona. Fannie was pregnant with my grandmother, Mattie, who would be born six months later on January 6, 1881.

The small community of Apple Springs was mostly inhabited by close knit relatives. James had several family members on adjoining farms;

James' mother, 63 year old widow Rebecca Franklin Womack, lived next door to the family with his youngest brother, 22 year old Thomas.

James' brother, George and Fannie's sister Mary Jane, "Mollie" had married and lived next door with their three children; nine-year-old Leon, seven-year-old Oda, five-year old-Edna, and three-year-old Jennie.

His eldest sister, 39 year old Matilda Womack West, had lost her husband in the war, and lived with her two children, Robert 19 and Annie 17.

Fannie also had siblings on nearby farms;

Fannie's 59 year old mother, Jennie Ainsworth Taylor, had also been widowed and was living with her son 20 year old son William and a farm worker, Benjamin Rasberry.

Fannie's brother 31-year-old James Taylor and his wife Sarah were also neighbors with their four children; Thomas 9, Eugene 5, William 4, and Annie 1.

Her 34 year old brother Lee Taylor and his wife Lenora lived nearby with their three children William 7, Lula 6, and Edgar 1.

Extended family also lived  in Apple Springs;

Rebecca's Franklin Womack's sister, 65 year old Jemima Franklin McClendon, had lost her husband in 1861, and was living with her sons 29 year old Robert, who worked as a mail carrier, and 23 year old Frank, who worked the farm. Jemima was caring for a 2 year old grandchild, Walter McClendon.

Rebecca Franklin Womack's cousin, 50 year old Lucy Campbell, whom she had grown up with in Mississippi, was married to 62 year old Abram Womack, a distant relative of our Womacks. The couple never had children of their own, but had raised many orphans over the years.

There were two school teachers living in the community; 28 year old Homer Hunston and 20 year old Henrietta Hunston. Like most schoolteachers of the day, they boarded with a local family, the Craigs.

Source Citation

Year: 1880; Census Place: Precinct 4, Trinity, Texas; Roll: 1329; Page: 328A; Enumeration District: 110