Samuel Gann of Winchester Va Family

From Bobbie Gann Bishop, 1404 W. Ave H, Lovington, NM 88260-5014. 5/14/94

His brother-in-law, George Washington Massingill, was getting together a wagon train to go to Texas to help Sam Houston with his fight against Mexico. Soloman and his family joined up with George and sister, Mary Polly, and 100 other folks. Because of harsh winters in their part of the country, the group did not get started until the spring of 1837. They arrived in Texas in the fall of 1837. The fight for independence from Mexico had been won by the courageous people of Texas, and they were ready to settle their state. The Republic of Texas was generous with its most available natural resource, its public land. "Headright" grants evolved to encourage immigration and also to reward native citizens. Heads of families who were living in Texas on Mar. 2, 1836 were eligible for grants of 4,605 acres. Those who immigrated from Mar. 1, 1836 to Oct. 1, 1837 could receive 1,280 acres, while those who immigrated from Oct. 1, 1837 to Jan. 1, 1842 could be granted 640 acres, with sons 17 years of age receiving 320 acres. In Dec, 1837 Soloman Gann was granted 640 acres of land in what was then Nacogdoches County. As head of family, George Massingill received 640 acres, also his married son, Henry, 640 acres. So the Tennesseans settled in the Shawnee Prairie areas which later became a part of Angelina County. A son, Isaac, was born that December. It is said he was born in an Indian bark hut because there had not been time for the new settlers to build homes. The land was fertile and produced fruit, nuts, and wild game. In the 1850 census of Angelina County, Solomon is listed: age 52, a stackkeeper, Malinda age 38 and children Mary 17, Nathan 13, Isaac 12, Matilda 10, John 8 and Samuel 6 months. Soloman came to Hamilton County to live along the Leon River. Soloman worked for James Kuykendall. In Aug. of 1884 at the age of 86 Soloman's long journey was over and he was buried beside his wife Malinda.