Searching for George W. Lancaster (1839-1919) in Full-text Search
George Wilson Lancaster, born 3 April 1839 in Missouri, likely Lewis County, and died 14 Jan 1919 in Erath County. He also lived in Kaufman County as he married Martha Jane Polly there on 25 October 1871. He is my 3x-great-grandfather on my mother’s side.
This session of research is using full-text search at FamilySearch. My methodology is to search for the each of the variations of George’s name: “George W. Lancaster,” “Geo. W. Lancaster,” and “G. W. Lancaster.” I began by filtering the results to Texas, and selecting the counties of Erath, Rockwall, and Kaufman. I later conducted the same search in Arizona, as he lived there shortly in the late 1880s.
The results brought up lots of negative hits, i.e., records that were not him. Many were Texas Death Certificates state-wide or documents dated after his death in 1919. The record of findings lists the results I believe pertain to him.
Summary of results
From this targeted search for G.W. Lancaster in the various
spellings, I found deeds of purchases and sales of land, releases of vendor’s
liens when promissory notes were paid, fines for not appearing in court, and tax
records in Rockwall County. I discovered he purchased property in Johnson
County while living in Dallas County. I also discovered he sold land in Johnson
County while his wife lived in Maricopa County, Arizona Territory. George’s
activities in Arizona Territory: he received a 40-acre patent from the U.S.
government, gave up 80 acres of Timber Culture land, and his wife, Mattie J. Lancaster divorced him, receiving custody
of their five youngest children. He did not answer the summons to the complaint, likely he returned to Texas.
Next Steps
Rockwall’s deeds were locked from home, so view them at the
Oakland FamilySearch Center. I have the divorce records but have not
transcribed all the papers. Lastly, I need to create a timeline of all the activities. Perhaps I'll do that in a spreadsheet such as Excel or Airtable.
Record of Findings
The following are the record of the findings, including the
source citation, the extract, and my comments (in blue) about the document.
Dallas County Hits
Searched “G. W. Lancaster” filtered to Texas. There are 143
hits state-wide. There are 6 hits in Rockwall, 1 hit in Kaufman, no hits in
Comanche. Most hits were in Grimes (48), Erath (14), and Dallas (7). I will
investigate the above first.
Dallas Co, Texas, Minutes 14th District Court 1882-1884, v. Q, p. 552-53, 1 Dec 1884, list of persons being fined for failure to appear, imaged, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3SN-J7YH : 13 Mar 2026); IGN 008504731, image 692 of 739.
COMMENT: This document implies
that G.W. Lancaster was a resident of Dallas County in the fall of
1884 and I
do not have evidence of that at this time. I have him selling land in July 1884
in Rockwall County and buying land in August 1884 in Johnson County. Rockwall
County was formed from Kaufman County. It is located northeast of Dallas
County. Johnson County is located southwest of Dallas County, below Tarrant
County.
Dallas Co, Texas, court case files 1867-1868, Box 44, no. 941, G. W. Newcome v. Jno Sears, etal, 1868, promissory note John & George Sears to J.W. Brokaw, 1860, imaged, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3S2-L9ST-Q : accessed 13 Mar 2026); IGN 008505556, image 1301 of 1696.
May 5, 1860. Twelve months after date I promise to pay to the order of J.W. Brokaw or his Agent E.W. Lancaster one hundred Dollars at Rockwall. Signed John Searx and George R Sears.
COMMENT: This hit is not for
G.W. Lancaster, but rather E.W. Lancaster. Since the pay to order is at
Rockwall, this E.W. Lancaster could be Ellis W. Lancaster, George’s father.
Here, E.W. Lancaster is acting as an agent for J.W. Brokaw, and is to receive
the money owed from the Sears men. This is part of a suit of Newcome, who is
administrator to the estate of J.W. Brokaw, deceased, trying to get the money
owed from Sears. In the petition to the court, it is spelled out that they were
to pay either J.W. Brokaw or E. W. Lancaster, his agent.[1]
Since it references E.W. Lancaster in Rockwall County, this is likely Ellis
Lancaster.
The remaining documents for
Dallas County refer to Lancaster, Texas, and G.W. Hatter.
Erath County Hits
Erath Co, Texas, deeds, v. 29, p. 606-08, I. & L. E. Pipes to G. W. Lancaster, 1890, imaged, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3WM-99DD-D : accessed 13 Mar 2026); IGN 008592581, item 1, image 208-09 of 233.
I. Pipes and
L. E. Pipes, his wife, sold to G. W. Lancaster for $1500, a piece of land in
Erath County. He paid $600 in hand, and promised to pay on even date $300 the
first day of Jan 1892, 1 Jan 1893, and 1 Jan 1894, with 10% interest per annum.
The tract of land lying in the county of Erath and state of Texas being a part
of the A. Rice 12 1/2 labors grant and is known as lot no. 2 in the division of
said grant and bounded as follows to wit:
“beginning at a stake in the north
boundary line of said original grant for the NW corner of this and NE corner of
division survey no. 1 from which a post oak marked x bears S40E 7.5 varas
distant, thence with said boundary line N60W 631 varas to NE corner of this and
NW corner of survey no. 4 from which a post oak marked D brs S36E 2 ¼ varas
another marked X bears N16W 8 varas distant, thence S30E with west boundary
line of survey no. 3 on N4 894 varas to the SE corner of this and SW corner of
no. 3, thence S60W 631 varas to SW corner of this and SE corner of no 1 a black
jack for corner on north line of survey no. 8, thence N30W 894 varas to the
beginning,”
containing
one hundred acres of land.
I. Pipes and L.E. Pipes signed on 20 Sep 1890 at Dublin before Notary, J.L. Howell, J.P. It was filed on 23 Sep 1890.
COMMENT: On 20 September 1890,
G.W. Lancaster, assuming of Erath County, though it does not state, purchased
100 acres of land from I. & L. E. Pipes, his wife, paying a portion in cash
($600) and the remaining $900 in three installments of $300 each, payable on
the first day of 1892, 1893, and 1894. I have a copy of this deed but not the
elements needed for a full online citation. I wrote a note in RootsMagic
Note 1: Isaac Pipes', son, William, married a Welch daughter. So this might be
considered a relationship sale, at least George might have thought of the Pipes
as kin. George's son, William Carlton married Martha Jane Coor in 1892, whose
mother was a Welch. There were many Welch cousins living in the area.
Note 2: This shows that George had left Arizona and his family and was
back in Erath County in 1890.”
Erath Co, Texas, deeds, v. , p. 127-28, release, Isaac Pipes to G.W. Lancaster, 1891, imaged, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3WM-39FL-1 : accessed 13 Mar 2026); IGN 008592584, item 2, images 66-67.
Isaac Pipes released of deed to G.W. Lancaster
Isaac Pipes had sold to GW Lancaster land with a vender's lien due on the 1st
of Jan 1892, 1893, 1894. G.W. Lancaster did execute and deliver to
the said Isaac Pipes, his 3 certain promissory notes and the notes have been
fully paid off and discharged, both principal and interest.... 3 Dec 1891.
(signed) I Pipes before R. Y. Young, clerk of County Court, Erath County.
COMMENT: G.W. Lancaster paid off the notes before their date and became
full owner of the land he purchased from Isaac Pipes. Now he could do as he
pleased with the land.
Erath Co, Texas, deeds, v. 64, p. 281-282, D.K. Coor to G.W. Lancaster, 1900, imaged, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C371-BHZM : accessed 13 Mar 2026); IGN 008592603, item 3, images 144-45 of 324.
D.K. Coor,
single man of Erath Co, for the consideration of $800 paid & secured by GW
Lancaster as follows: $440 cash in hand & three promissory notes as
follows: $160 due Oct 1st 1901; $100 due Oct 1, 1902; $100 due Oct 1, 1903; all
with interest of 10%,10% attorney fees in case of suit.
Granted & conveyed a tract of land consisting of 50 acres:
"James H Neily Survey, and beginning at the NE corner of said Survey,
thence S30E 910 varas with line of original survey to NE corner of a sub of
same sur in the name of JM Kiker, Thence S60W with line of said Kiker Sub 311 varas
to a stake from which a PO marked x bears S60W 17 vrs, Thence N30W 910 varas to
a stake in line of original Survey from which a PO marked x bears N60E 9 varas,
thence N60E 311 varas to place of beginning.”
signed DK Coor 1 Oct 1900 before Notary W. E. Lowe, Erath County. Filed 10 Dec
1900.
COMMENT: D. K. Coor is the
younger brother of his son, W.C. Lancaster’s wife, Martha Jane Coor. Here, G.W.
Lancaster is purchasing 50 acres of land, paying first $440 cash, and taking
notes of $160, $100, and $100, for a total of $800.
Erath Co, Texas, probate, v. V, p. 397, estate of Lonnie Lancaster, no. 1416, , inventory appraisement, note to G.W. Lancaster, imaged, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9QS-98Q9 : accessed 13 Mar 2026); IGN 005783034, item 1, image 209 of 330.
Estate of Lonnie Lancaster, minor, Laura May Elliott, guardian. Inventory and appraisement and list of claims, produced December, AD, 1920. 1/6 undivided interest in four promissory vendors lien notes signed by W.C. Lancaster, and payable to G.W. Lancaster, for $500 each . . . $333.33.
COMMENT: The only item listed in this inventory was the 1/6 interest in the four promissory notes payable to G.W. Lancaster. The G.W. Lancaster of this section of the research died 14 January 1919.[2] The notes may have belonged to him, as his son, W.C. Lancaster was the one who owes the money. The younger G.W. Lancaster was born in 1893 and would have been 27 in 1920, so it is also possible that he was the named person that W.C. Lancaster owed money to, but unlikely the father would be borrowing from the son, but rather the son borrowing from the father. More research is needed. No probate has been found for the elder G.W. Lancaster yet.
Lonnie Osborn Lancaster, who married Laura May Bacon, died in 1911.[3] Their only son, Lonnie Eldon Lancaster was born in 1906, so would be a minor in 1920.[4] His mother married William K. Elliott on 22 May 1916 in Tucson, Pima Co, Arizona.[5] She was acting as guardian due this asset Lonnie Eldon was receiving, as he was a minor.
The last three items from full-text search for Erath County
were images from the Deed Index and the three images showed the same three
deeds as above: sale from Pipes to Lancaster, release of deed to Lancaster, and
sale of land from Coor to Lancaster.
Rockwall County, Texas.
Rockwall Co, Texas, tax records, 1879, p. 13, line 36, G.W. Lancaster, imaged, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939J-4KSP-D4 : accessed 13 Mar 2026); IGN 004653422, image 275-76 of 1201.
G.W. Lancaster, abstract no. 146, certificate no. 879, original grantee S.S. McCurry, 116 ¼ acres, value $1000, 1 carriages/wagons worth $10, $46 worth of tools etc, 2 horses/mules $20, 5 cattle $30, 3 hogs $5, misc property $94, total taxable property $1235.
COMMENT: Here G.W. Lancaster had 116.25 acres of land in Rockwall County valued at $1000. Besides tools and misc property, he had 2 horses, 5 cattle, and 3 hogs. He also had a wagon or carriage. Looking at the other entries for this column, most are 1 or 2, valued between $10 & $25. These are likely wagons. J.J. Lowe, who owned lots of land and lots in Rockwall, had 2 items worth $165. He likely had a carriage.
The 1880 agriculture census listed he had 75 acres improved, 10 were meadow, 31 wooded. This equals the 116 acres listed on the tax roll. Total value of land and buildings $1500, $30 machinery, $200 in livestock. He had 3 horses, 4 milk cows, 1 other, and 3 swine, plus poultry. His crops were corn, wheat, and cotton. The whole production provided $275 in production.[6]
Below him was listed M. J. Lancaster, who had no farm land but had lots in Rockwall, lots 2 & 3 and ½ of lots 1 and 6, in block O, worth $350. At this point, I don’t know who this M. J. Lancaster is.
Rockwall Co, Texas, probate, v. E, p. 9-11, will of J.A. Walker, 1904, imaged, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9QS-JXT2 : accessed 13 Mar 2026); IGN 005788315, images 534-35 of 856.
G.W. Lancaster is mentioned in one of the land descriptions as “Beg. At the NW corner of the said McCurry Survey, thence east with the north boundary line of said survey to a rock being division between N.H.O. Polley and G. W. Lancaster (now Dee Lanham). . .”
COMMENT: It is not uncommon for
people who own land to be mentioned in other documents because they are
mentioned as boundary lines or neighbors. Here we have a clue that G.W.
Lancaster may have sold his land to Dee Lanham. We also see a clue that land was
divided between N. H. O. Polley and G.W. N.H.O. Polly is G.W.’s father-in-law
and father of Martha Jane Polly, his wife. Normally, I would skip over this,
but given the clue, I want to make sure I have found the deed of G.W. selling
this land. This probate is after G.W. Lancaster was living in Erath County.
Rockwall Co, Texas, tax records, 1875, precinct 1, unpag., 6th sheet, G.W. Lancaster, imaged, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939J-4KSR-X5 : accessed 13 Mar 2026); IGN 004653422, image 57 of 1201.
G.W. Lancaster, S.S. McCurry survey, no. 139, 1000 acres, 1 horse $100, 8 cattle $48, 10 hogs $20, machinery $40, $40 misc., total $1405.
COMMENT:
He owned 100 acres, had a horse, cattle, and hogs, along with machinery and
other misc. items.
Rockwall Co, Texas, tax records, 1897, unpag., J. D. Lanham, imaged, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939J-4PSQ-D2 : accessed 13 Mar 2026); IGN 004653423, image 791 of 2773
COMMENT: This is the record of J.D. Lanham, but G.W. Lancaster is mentioned as the person “from whom acquired.” It was acquired by deed. So there should be a deed of G.W. Lancaster selling this 76.5 acre land to him.
Rockwall Co, Texas, tax records, 1876, precinct 1, unpag., G.W. Lancaster, imaged, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939J-4KSR-3M : accessed 13 Mar 2026); IGN 004653422, image 82 of 1201.
G.W. Lancaster, S.S. McCurry survey, 129 acres, $1290, 1 horse $100, 10 cattle $88, 4 hogs $8, $80 machinery, $30 misc. Total $1596.
COMMENT: Where did he get the extra acreage? Need to check deeds.
This was the last of the images at Rockwall Co, for “G.W. Lancaster.” There should have been more deeds. However, when checking the catalog, the deed records are locked!
“G.W. Lancaster” in Johnson County, Texas, records.
Johnson Co, Texas, deeds, v. 34, p. 80, G.W. Lancaster & Mattie J. Lancaster to J.J. & R. H. Stovall, 1886, imaged, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3SN-CS79-8 : accessed 13 Mar 2026); IGN 008502793, image 243 of 852.
G.W. Lancaster and Mattie J. Lancaster, his wife, for
$1181.75 paid by J.J. and R. H. Stovall, as follows:
$590.87 in cash, $590.87 to be paid when the acknowledgement
to the deed from E.R. Kelley & wife to the said G.W. Lancaster which is
defective is corrected and made perfect, said deed bearing date August 18,
1884, and furth consideration that the said Stovall assume the payment of a
certain note for $558.27 to secure the payment of which a mortgage has been
given on said land. Mortgage on record in Vol. 4 Mortgage records page 499 of
Johnson Co. Land is described as lying and being situated in said County of
Johnson and being parts of the Jackson County School Lands, and J.M. Gholston’s
Surveys, that is to say 106 2/3 acres of said Jackson County School Land.
“Beginning at the
NW corner of the J.M. Gholston Survey, thence N60W 950 varas to rock for
corner, thence S30E 633 1/3 varas to rock in western boundary line of said
Gholston survey, thence N60E 950 varas to rock for corner, thence N30W 633 1/3
varas to beginning.”
One other tract part of said
Gholston survey and being the same land R.A. Pool as administrator of the
estate of O.L. Poole decd conveyed by J.M. Banks. Said deed being recorded in
Book T page 579 of Johnson Co records of deeds,
“Beginning at the
SW corner of lot no. 4 sold to J.M. Bonner, thence S20W 119 varas to stake,
thence N60E 250 varas to middle of Noland River, thence with the meanders of
same to the SE corner of said No. 4, thence with the south boundary line of
same S60W 346 varas to beginning,” containing 5 acres more or less.
Also one other tract containing 62
81/100 acres out of said Gholston survey.
“Beginning at the
NW corner of lot no. 1 in the division of the land of C.L. Poole decd a mound
of rocks, thence N30W 527 varas stone for corner, thence N60E 861 varas to NW
corner of fraction sold to J.D. Osborn, thence S30E 121 varas to SW corner of
said fraction, thence S20W 638 varas to mound of rock in north boundary line of
no. 1, thence S60W 375 varas to place of beginning.”
Signed by G. W. Lancaster and Mattie J. Lancaster on 11 May 1886 at Cleburne.
G.W. Lancaster acknowledgment was done on 26 May 1886 at Johnson Co, Texas. Mattie J. Lancaster’s acknowledgment was done in the County of Maricopa, Territory of Arizona, saying she was the wife of G.W. Lancaster, on 22 May 1886. Filed for record 26 may 1886. Written on the side: For the release of the lien, see Book 39, p. 597.
COMMENT: Why I think this land belongs to GW of Rockwall: His wife was Martha J. Lancaster and she often went by the name “Mattie J. Lancaster.” They went to Arizona Territory and had government land there. He came back to Texas and she stayed. This shows that. Did he come back to sell the land? Did he ever return? She filed divorce in 1891 saying he abandoned them.
There
are lots of clues here to follow up on. One, they have 3 pieces of land. Did
they buy them all at once? Need to locate the deed where they purchased the
land. The suggested date was August 18 1884, but no volume or page is listed.
They purchased from E.R. Kelley and his wife.
Johnson Co, Texas, deeds, v. 31, p. 70, E.R. & M.A. Kelley to G.W. Lancaster, 1884, imaged, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3SN-M7GY-P : accessed 13 Mar 2026); IGN 008502792, image 139 of 880.
E. R. Kelley and M.A. Kelley his wife of Johnson Co, Texas, for
consideration of $400 to us in hand paid by G.W. Lancaster of the County of
Dallas and the assumption of a mortgage debt due George Halley & Alexander
Gilroy for the sum of $586.20, recorded in Mortgage Book 4., the same being a
lien on a part of the hereinafter described lands, and one note dated Aug 18
1884 for $400 due Jan 1, 1885 with interest of 10% until paid and one note for
$113.80 dated Aug 18, 1884 due January 1, 1886 with 10% interest, said two last
above described notes being executed by said G.W. Lancaster and payable to ER
Kelley or order.
For tract or tracts of land as follows, 106 2/3 acres of land
being a part of the Jackson County School land situated in Johnson County,
Texas,
“Beginning at the
NW corner of the J.M. Gholston Survey, thence N60W 950 varas to rock for
corner, thence S30E 633 1/3 varas to rock in western boundary line of said
Gholston survey, thence N60E 950 varas to rock for corner, thence N30W 633 1/3
varas to beginning.”
One other tract part of said
Gholston survey and being the same land R.A. Pool as administrator of the
estate of O.L. Poole decd conveyed by J.M. Banks. Said deed being recorded in
Book T page 579 80,
“Beginning at the
SW corner of lot no. 4 sold to J.M. Bonner, thence S20W 119 varas to stake,
thence N60E 250 varas to middle of Noland River, thence with the meanders of
same to the SE corner of said No. 4, thence with the south boundary line of
same S60W 346 varas to beginning,” containing 5 acres more or less.
Also one other tract containing 62
81/100 acres out of said Gholston survey.
“Beginning at the
NW corner of lot no. 1 in the division of the land of C.L. Poole decd a mound
of rocks, thence N30W 527 varas stone for corner, thence N60E 861 varas to NW
corner of fraction sold to J.D. Osborn, thence S30E 121 varas to SW corner of
said fraction, thence S20W 638 varas to mound of rock in north boundary line of
no. 1, thence S60W 375 varas to place of beginning.”
Signed on 18 Aug 1884 by ER Kelley and MA Kelley, before DJ Baley JP Notary Public. Filed 22 Sep 1884. On the side written: for release of lien herein see Book 39 page 596.
COMMENT: This is the exact same land he and Mattie sold in 1886. Here, G.W. was of Dallas County, Texas. However, FamilySearch has no deed records for Dallas County. I looked at deeds while at the Dallas Public Library for Polly but not for Lancaster. I wonder if I could get someone to look at the indexes for me.
Johnson Co, Texas, deeds, v. 39, p. 596-97, release, T.J. Kelley to GW Lancaster, 1888, imaged, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSLR-JXC9 : 13 Mar 2026); IGN 008204603, image 391 of 742.
In consideration of the payment in full according to the face and tenor thereof, of 2 certain promissory notes described in a certain warranty deed executed by ER Kelley and MA Kelley his wife to G.W. Lancaster dated 18 Aug 1884 and recorded in v. 31, p. 70, T. J. Kelley, the owner and holder of said notes do release the venders lien shown by deed to exist upon the following described land, vis, conveys 106 2/3 acres Jackson Co School land survey as described in deed from F.M. White commissioner Jackson County, Texas. 2nd. Lot No. 2 of the Gholston Survey same as sold by P.A. Pool admr to N.L. Pool. 3rd Being 5 acres out of Lot no. 5 same Gholston survey. Witness my hand 15 Oct 1888, witnessed by JJ Stoval and JB Hill before Notary JJ Ramney. Filed 31 Oct 1888.
Johnson Co, Texas, deeds, v. 39, p. 597, release, G.W. Lancaster to J.J. and R. H. Stovall, 1888, imaged, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSLR-JXC9 : 13 Mar 2026); IGN 008204603, image 391 of 742.
In consideration of the payment in full, according to the face and tenor thereof, of 1 certain promissory note do subscribed in certain warranty deed executed by G.W. Lancaster and Mattie J. Lancaster to JJ and RH Stovall dated 11 May 1886, and recorded in v. 34, p. 80, J.T. Smith the owner and holder of said note, do hereby release the vendors lien, to the following described land as conveyed by ER Kelley to GW Lancaster being 106 2/3 acres Jackson Co School land survey, 2nd. Lot No. 2 of the Gholston Survey same as sold by P.A. Pool admr to N.L. Pool, 3rd Lot no. 5 same survey being 5 acres. Witness my hand 23 Oct 1888, T.J. Smith before Notary J J Ramney. Filed 31 Oct 1888.
COMMENT: both of these releases took care of the liens placed on the land by 3 promissory notes. GW paid off two notes and the Stovalls paid off the third. Neither of the deed recordings was G.W. Lancaster present, as it was Kelley and Smith signing off on the vendors liens.
Search for “Geo. W. Lancaster” in Texas & Arizona Records.
This is another version to search. Several hits came up in Dallas,
Kaufman, and Rockwall Counties.
Rockwall County
The Rockwall County was cut from Kaufman County in 1873, so I would
expect to find records of Lancasters in Kaufman County before that date.
Rockwall Co, Texas, deeds, v. J, p. 609, release, F. Sullivan, agt S. McCurry to Polly & Lancaster, 1889, imaged, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3SN-999T-F : accessed 14 Mar 2026); IGN 008503634, image 410 of 876.
F. Sullivan, agent for Susan McCurry released the vendor’s lien of
property N.H.O. Polly and Geo. W. Lancaster purchased with promissory notes
from her. This note was for $1877.50 in gold dated 9 Sep 1873, recorded v. C,
p. 511 in deeds of Rockwall Co. for land 258 acres devised by will to Susan
McCurry by her husband S.S. McCurry and being the “west half of a tract of 516
acres out of the SS McCurry survey 640 acres in Rockwall Co Texas, beg at NE
cor of JHB Jones no. 76 sur 320 acre a rock from which an Elm brs N45E 6 varas another
brs S76E 4 vrs, thence south at 640 varas a creek at 1025 varas a rock on E
line of HGB Jones survey & now Burrel Parkers deceased NW corner, thence E
1425 varas to stake in prairie, thence north 1025 varas to stake in prairie on
the North line of the said SS McCurry 640 acre survey from which a hackberry 12
in. bears S 36.5 E 82 varas, thence West 1425 varas to the beg. 15 Jan 1889.
Signed Susan McCurry Br F. Sullivan agt.
COMMENT: clues here to the deed where McCurry sold land to Polly and Lancaster. They paid off the promissory note and Sullivan, as agent of Susan McCurry, who owns the land now after the death of her husband, S.S. McCurry, has released the vendor’s lien.
The images for Dallas and Kaufman counties were not for our Geo. W. Lancaster, as they were 20th century death certificates and court records. The death records Geo. W. Lancaster was an MD. The court records have Lancaster as a place.
Search for Geo. W. Lancaster in Arizona Records.
The first hit was for Judgments in Pima County, the index to court
records in Pima County, Mattie J. Lancaster vs. Geo J. Lancaster, no. 2250, p.
102.
Pima Co, Arizona Territory, district court, judgments, v. 4, p. 102-03, no. 2250, Mattie J. Lancaster v. Geo W. Lancaster, 1893, imaged, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSZ2-5HMQ : accessed 14 Mar 2026); IGN 007945022, images 1243-44 of 1646.
In the District Court of the First Judicial District of the Territory of Arizona in and for the County of Pima. Mattie J. Lancaster vs. George W. Lancaster. Degree, 2250.
This cause having been duly
and regularly transferred from the District Court of the Third Judicial
District of the Territory of Arizona, in and for Maricopa County to this court
for trial and determination.
And the said cause coming on
regularly to be heard this day, upon the briefs taken in said action before
John Kellum, Referee therein heretofore duly appointed by order of this court
to whom it was referred to take proof of the facts set forth in the complaint
herein and the said referee having taken the testimony by written questions and
answers and reported the same to the Court, and the same having been duly
considered the Court finds that the defendant, George W Lancaster, has been
duly and regularly served with summons herein, and that he has not appeared and
answered unto the complaint, and that the time fore answering has long since
expired, and that his default has been duly and regularly entered, and that all
the material ??rments of the complaint are sustained by testimony free from all
legal exceptions as to its competency admissibility and sufficiency and that
plaintiff is entitled to the relief prayed for in her complaint.
Now on motion of Messrs Fitch
and Campbell, attorneys for plaintiff, it is ordered, adjudged and decreed and
this does adjudge and decree that the marriage between the plaintiff Mattie J.
Lancaster and the defendant George W Lancaster be dissolved, and the same is
hereby dissolved, and the said parties are and each of them is freed and
absolutely released from the bonds of matrimony and all the obligations there
of, and it is further ordered, adjudged and decreed that the plaintiff Mattie J
Lancaster, have and she is hereby awarded the sole charge, control and custody
of Lonnie, Maggie, Edson, Regual, and Jesse, children of the issue of said
marriage.
Done in open Court Dec. 23, 1893. Richard E Sloan, Judge
COMMENT:
The is the final decree for the divorce between Mattie J. Lancaster and George
W. Lancaster. Mattie was the plaintiff and George the defendant. The decree
gives notice that George was summon to answer the complaint but that he never
did. It is likely because he was in Texas. I have found no evidence yet, that
they tried to contract him in Texas. No newspaper notice. It is possible there
is a notice in some court record that has not been digitized by FamilySearch.
The decree also gave her custody of the
children. Lonnie was the second born child, who was about 17. Maggie (Margaret
Rose) was third, age about 13. Edson was George Eldon, the fourth born child,
who was about 10. Regual would have been Reginold, the fifth child, age about 6.
And Jess was the last child, who would have been about 4 in 1893. The oldest
child, William Carl, was in Texas, already married to Martha Jane Coor.
This document does not give reason for the
divorce. That was likely in the complaint. This is the same document I received
from the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records many years ago,
after seeing a newspaper notice of the divorce being filed.[7]
I have the complete file that I have not transcribed yet. That can be my next project for 12 for ’26 with the
Lancaster family.
“United States, Bureau of Land Management Tract Books, 1800-c1955,” imaged, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99WS-49QQ-Y : accessed 14 Mar 2026), Geo. W. Lancaster [indexed as Sancaster], T1, R3E, Sec 14; IGN 007109966, image 290 of 836.
Geo. W. Lancaster was recorded in Township 1, Range 3 East, Northeast quarter of northwest quarter, Section 14, for 40 acres. It was a Pre-emption. 40 acres, $2.50 per acre. $100. In smaller print above his line “D.S. 1753 – NE4 & NW4 June 1 & 8 1886, Geo W Lancaster. Opposite page: date of sale Feby 19, 1887, certificate of purchase no. 400.
COMMENT:
These books are digitized and indexed, however, the covers of the books were
filmed, so I don’t know which volume or which land office. The details at
FamilySearch say “vol. 2-4 Twp. 1-20N, Range 2-4E. What is missing is the land
office. The first page of the volume shows the land office as Tucson, July 12,
1881, and later Phoenix, Oct 2, 1935. The book starts with Township 1 N, 3
East. I have his land patent papers from the National Archives.
“United States, Bureau of Land Management Tract Books, 1800-c1955,” imaged, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-P3NL-XSXQ-Q : accessed 14 Mar 2026), Geo. W. Lancaster [indexed as Sancaster], T3S, R5W, Sec 13; IGN 008814201, image 321 of 831.
Geo. W. Lancaster, for 80 acres in Section 14, Township 3 South, Range 5 West, the East half of Southeast quarter. July 26, 1887, T.C. [Timber Culture] 461, Canceled bef. Relinquishment Feb. 13th 1889, 3.35 PM
COMMENT:
I did not know about this attempt to get 80 acres of Timber Culture, which he
later canceled. This is not located near where he got 40 acres. Looking at a
map, it is northeast of Scottsdale.
Maricopa Co, Arizona, Index to Deeds
Grantor M-Z, United States to Geo W Lancaster, 1890, imaged, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3WM-P9B9-M
: accessed 14 Mar 2025); IGN 008593483, item 3, image 376 of 477.
COMMENT:
This is the grantor’s index and George W. Lancaster is listed as the grantee. This
appears to be the recording of patents. George’s was recorded 15 Jul 1890 from
the US government. In Book 82, p. 263. The deed did not come up on the search.
[1] Dallas Co, Texas, court case files 1867-1868, Box 44, no. 941, G. W. Newcome v. Jno Sears, etal, 1868, petition, 1868, imaged, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3S2-L9S1-2 : accessed 13 Mar 2026); IGN 008505556, image 1297-99 of 1696.
[2] "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," digital image, FamilySearch
(https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1983324 : ); death
certificate 536 (1919), George Wilson Lancaster; citing Texas Department of
Health Bureau of Vital Statistics.
[3] Need to get this. Film 1955735. Low O. Lancaster to May
Bacon.
[4] Need to get this. BIRTH; http://genealogy.az.gov/. Birth
Certificate. Have copy. Parents listed: Sam
Lancaster & May Bacon.
[5] Marriage William Elliott to Laura Lancaster 1916 – film 2210640
[6] 1880
U.S. census, Rockwall Co, Texas, agricultural census, ED 30, p. 1, line 2, Geo
W. Lancaster.
[7] “Local
Briefs,” Arizona Republican (Phoenix, Ariz), 28 Dec 1892, p. 1, col.
5, Mattie vs Geo Lancaster, digital images, Chronicling America (https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn84020558/1892-12-28/ed-1/
: accessed 14 Mar 2026).
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