General Notes

[basham.ged]
Thomas Edward Owen was born Feb 2, 1843, in Roebuck Inn,
Llanfachraeth, Anglesey County North Wales, the oldest child of John
Edward and Mary Jones Owen.  John Edward was a ship captain, farmer
and owner of an inn, repair shop and a carpentry shop.
After attending local school, Thomas Edward was sent to medical school
in London, England, where he practiced for a short time after graduat ion.
He and a companion then immigrated to the United States in 1967 aboard
"The Cultivator".
Upon arrival in New York, Thomas traveled to Ethel, Missouri, where he
stayed with the Thomas Roberts family, also of Welch descent.  In 186 8,
he persuaded his family in North Wales to sell their property there a nd
join him in America.  The Owen family purchased the Roberts farm on t he
banks of the Chariton River adn the Roberts family moved to Salt Lake
City, Utah Territory.
Thomas Edward followed his future wife, Margaret Ann Roberts, to Salt
Lake City, Utah.  He traveled through much of the West during this pe riod
and applied for his U. S. citizenship in Smith Pass, City, Wyoming
Territory, on October 22, 1869.
Later, Thomas Edward was employed a community cattle herdsman for
Salt Lake City and had frequent contact with the Indians.  He alway s rode
the poorest quality horse he had to prevent the Indians from killin g him
and stealing a good horse.
On one occasion, he encountered a group of Indians with a dog.  The d og
began chasing the cattle and Thomas Edward threatened to shoot the do g,
if the Indians didn't control it.  They made no efort to do so and h e k
il led
the dog. However, the next day the Indians returned and stole a large
spotted steer, which was the only animal of the owner.
One day following a heavy rainstorm, he discovered an outcropping of
silver while herding cattle.  He filed a mining claim and hired armed
guards to protect the high grade ore as the mine was developed.  On J une
15, 1872, Thomas Edward married Margaret Ann Roberts in Salt Lake
City, Utah Territory.
In 1876, the Owen family joined the other Welch settlers in South Jack
County and purchased several parcels of land.  This area in known as Bar
to ns Chapel Community.
The other nine Owen children were born at Bartons Chapel, Jack County, T
ex as.  The eight girls had the initals of M. E. O.  and the three boys h
ad t he middle inital "A".
Thomas Edward received his U.S. citizenship in Jack County, Septemb
er 1 0, 1892.
Margaret Ann died of pneumonia on December 8, 1894.  Later, Thomas mar
ri ed Hettis Narcissus Crabtree on October 4, 1897.  They continu
ed to li ve at Bartons Chapel until November 28, 1919, when he retired a
nd mov ed to Jacksboro.
Thomas Edward Owen organized the first Sunday School in the Bartons Ch
ap el area in 1876 under a large oak tree. The tree is now standing in t
he Ba rtons Chapel Cemetery  and he and Margaret Ann Owen are buried in t
he sha de of this tree.  Thomas Edward died May 22, 1924.
"The History of Jack County Texas"
presented by
The Jack County Genealogical Sopciety
Sesquicentinnial Celebration in 1986
of the State of Texas
1835-1986
pages 663 and 664  Written by H. E. Owen