John G. V. Armstrong, b, 10-23-1817...tenth child of William Lapsley and
Mary Cavitt Amstrong, married Susan Gilbert. Their children 1) Melissa,
married a Mr. Stewart; Sallie 2), married Marshall Henderson; 3) Toby;
4) a daughter married a Mr. Mobry; Webster 5) was killed by Alex Cavett;
6) Thomas; 7) James; 8) Mary.
There is no account of a killing in Robertson co. of a Webster
Armstrong. The fact that the man who killed him was Alex Cavett (the
spelling with an "e" instead of an "i") makes us believe there was
another Alex Cavett than the James Alexander Cavitt, son of Ann Cavett
Cavitt, and Ann's brothers Alexander Cavett, b. 5-19-1786, married Miss
Louise Bice, and died 7-31-1841.
John B.Cavitt, grandson of Ann and Andrew Cavitt, son of Josephus and
Catherine Dunn Cavitt, wrote:
Thhe family history of Andrew Cavitt would not be complete without
mention of some of the valuable services rendered by "Indian" Bill, a
negro slave, colored like an Indian, hence the name "Indian Bill" but
called Uncle Bill by the seven sons of Ann Cavett Cavitt and Andrew
Cavitt.
Andrew Cavitt brought him with him to Texas in 1835 as head of the
slaves and main craftsman. The careful training Andrew had given Bill
made him a most dependable helper when any emergency arose. Bill
responded to the teaching and discipline and proved himself worthy of
the confidence of the family, even of the trust Andrew imposed on him as
a last request "watch after my boys".
This sense of loyalty and duty made him a very valuable part of the
Cavitt family. He had been taught to do many things: making of
implements, farming, rough carpentry, building log houses, and doing
both the iron and woodwork in building and repairing wagons, and general
blacksmithing. About 1843, seven years after Andrew Cavitt's death, Bill
had gotten the Widow Cavitt's houses, farm, and tools in good shape. He
asked and bought his
time as a slave from Ann Cavett, now Mrs. Cavitt Armstrong.
He began blacksmithing for the public on his own hook.(sic) He was
regarded as a sober, useful citizen. After the slaves were freed,
"Indian Bill" maintained his shop and built up a freighting business for
the public, having several ox wagons and teams, in long hauls to and
from Houston, the lumber mills in East Texas and other freighting. Bill
won the confidence and friendship of all people in the country, proved
himself honest and reliable and built up a good business. It was
generally thought he had accumulated considerable money. In those days
there were no banks in the country so it was the custom to hide or bury
surplus money.
Bill was murdered by renegade cut-throat white men, going to his house
at night, trying to compel him to reveal the hiding place of his money.
When he refused to tell them they murdered him.
The white people, joined by the negro citizens, tried, in vain, to
discover who the guilty parties were. The Cavitt boys buried Uncle Bill,
using his anvil as a headstone for the man who acted in place of a
parent for four crucial years of their lives.
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The most beautiful things in the world cannot be
seen or touched. It must be felt with the heart.
Helen Keller
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Wishes, Wants, and Dreams....a few poetic illusions
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...It is in silence where music lies...
Yanni
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One ought, everyday, to hear a song, read a fine poem,
and, if possible, to speak a few reasonable words.
Goethe
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