JOHN
WESLEY AND REBECCA CAROLINA
(McCORVEY) FLETCHER
UNION COUNTY, ARKANSAS
10 April 1845 - Birth of Rebecca Caroline (Carrie) McCorvey - Union County, AR. Carrie was the daughter of Neil and Mary (Buie) McCorvey. She had siblings, Catherine, Daniel Buie, John, Taylor, and Laura J.
22 Nov. 1865 - Marriage of John Wesley Fletcher to Rebecca Caroline McCorvey of Union County, Arkansas. No record has been found of the marriage except the family Bible.
10 Jan 1856 - Death of Neil McCorvey, Union County, AR.
22 Nov. 1865 - Marriage of John
Wesley Fletcher to Rebecca Caroline McCorvey of Union County, Arkansas. No
record, except the family Bible has been found of the marriage.
John Wesley had joined Company
B, Regiment 16 of the Missouri Infantry back in 1862 while still living at home
with his father, Oliver C. and stepmother Jane, in St. Clair County, Missouri.
Evidently he met Rebecca Carolina (Carrie) while serving in Union County,
Arkansas during the Civil War. Shortly after the end of the War they were
married and settled around the Scotland community there in Union County. Judging
from land records on hand they owned about 600 acres of land at Wesson,
Arkansas.
John Wesley probably found it easy to settle down with Carrie in the Scotland
community. Life had not been that easy for the Fletchers in St. County,
Missouri. The community of Scotland started when, after the Louisiana Purchase,
a large group of Scot-Irish families including the McCorveys and Buies, moved
from Robeson Co., NC to Claiborne Co., Mississippi in about 1805. They made two
crops in Claiborne Co. and in 1806 settled in Jefferson County, Mississippi.
These were the first settlers in that section known as Scotland or Scotch
Settlement. Sometime around the early 1840s the McCorveys, Buies, and other
Scotch settlers went to Union County, Arkansas. They seemed to just take their
community name of Scotland with them.
27 March 1877 - William and Harvey Fletcher
started home to St. Clair County, MO after a visit with their half brother, John
Wesley, at Wesson in Union County, Arkansas. They took with them a horse and a
mule belonging to W. H. Hill of Three Creeks, Arkansas. It is said that every
genealogist will, sooner or later, find horse thieves in every family line. The
Fletchers may have found theirs. William and Harvey were accused of steeling the
horse and mule stood trial for it but the State never did actually prove their
case against the boys. Harvey was murdered before the trial ended and no record
has been found of a guilty verdict for William.
The following account of the capture of William and Harvey is from 'The El
Dorado Eagle,' a weekly newspaper from El Dorado, Arkansas, dated 9 June 1877.
The article had been copied from 'The Sentinel Democrat,' a paper in Osceola,
MO.
The Sentinel Democrat, of Osceola, St. Clair County, Mo., gives the following
account of the capture of the two prisoners who were lodged in jail at this
place to Tuesday evening On last Tuesday, W. H. Hill, of Union County,
Arkansas, arrived in town (Osceola Missouri) with a requisition from the
Governor for the arrest of Harve and William Fletcher, charged with the stealing
of a mule and horse on the 27th day of March, from W. H. Hill, Sr., of Three
Creeks, Arkansas. The sheriff, in whose hands the requisition was placed,
immediately started out to hunt up the men and found them working in
the field on their farm five miles north of town. The two boys were
surrounded and ordered at the point of the muzzle to give them gave himself up
to Sheriff Cox, while William started to run to the brush and was fired upon
four times, but stumbling, he was made a prisoner and both were brought to town.
Mr. Hill claims that it is a clear case and that the half brother of the
Fletchers, who lives at Three Creeks, acknowledged to him that when it was
announced in March that the animals were missing, he suspected the two boys;
while both Harvey and William most emphatically deny the whole, and say they are
willing to pass the remainder of their days in the penitentiary if they cannot
prove a clear title to all stock which they have ever had. The truth of
both assertions remains to be proven, but it is to be hoped that the boys will
prove themselves innocent of the charge. Sheriff Cox deserves praise for his
promptness in attending to the disagreeable duty. On yesterday Mr. Hill started
for Arkansas with the two boys, where they will stand trial, and if they get
clear they propose to make it pretty hot for some of the men who assisted in
their capture and fired upon William.
9 June 1877 - The El Dorado
Eagle printed the following article on William and Harvey. The editor took the
opportunity to lash back at the 'Little Rock Star' for statements it make about
Union County, AR being sympathetic to outlaws.
Still They Come -The sheriff of St. Clair County, MO brought into our
town on Tuesday evening, two prisoners, William and Harvey Fletcher, who left
this county on the 27th day of March, last, carrying with them a mule and horse
belonging to Mr. W. H. Hill, Sr., of Three Creeks. Our young friend, Mr. W. H.
Hill, Jr., pursued the thieves into Missouri, armed with a requisition from the
Governor, and found them comfortably domiciled at their home, making a crop with
said animals. Right here it may be well to remark that most of the outrages
lately committed in Union County, such as murders, horse stealing, etc., have
been perpetrated by citizens of other states.
Perhaps they have been reading the slanderous reports put in circulation about
our County by that lying Radical sheet, the Little Rock Star, to the effect that
the people of Union were in sympathy with murderers and too timid to hang
horse-thieves. It is true that our citizens are not very fond of such sport, but
if the thing continues, it seems very probable that a vigilance committee will
have to be organized and a day appointed for a general hanging and cleaning up.
Our jail is a very large one, but not sufficient to accommodate all the horse
thieves from Missouri nor the murderers from Texas. If these raids on our people
are not stopped, somebody will get hurt; and in the event that a general hanging
should be decided upon, we would extent a cordial invitation to the editors of
the Little Rock Star to come down and lead off in the "aerial dance." Rope
shan't cost him anything, and we also furnish the music to the tune of "let
justice be done, though the heavens fall and stars" go out. (copy of article
available)
16 June 1877-The week following
9 June 1877, this Article was printed in the El Dorado Eagle. Sheriff Ox, of St.
Clair County, Missouri has been detained in our town this week as a witness in
the case of the State: Vs. Wm., and Harvey Fletcher, accused of horse stealing,
an account of which we gave last week. Mr. W. H. Hill, Sr., and W. H. Hill,
Jr., of Three Creeks, also remained in town during the week to see the
prosecution pushed forward. (copy of original article available)
The El Dorado Eagle printed a second article on William and Harvey on 16 June
1877.
"The case of the State vs. Wm. and Harvey Fletcher, accused of stealing a horse
and a mule from Mr. W. H. Hill, sr., of Three Creeks, came up before Justice
Craig on Friday last, and was concluded on Thursday evening, by the defendants
being bound over to the Circuit Court in the sum of $650 each in default of
which they go to jail. The prosecution was conducted by Messrs. Langford &
Brown, and the defense by Messrs. Askew, Wallace, and Jamison. Much interest has
been manifested in the trial on both sides, characterized by prolonged and
excited discussion at the bar. Wm. Fletcher succeeded in giving bond, and it is
thought that Harvey will do so in a few days.
All the following Court records are from the Circuit Court office of El Dorado,
AR. Because some records have no date, they may not be entered in exact order as
they were recorded.
On 16 June 1877, The El Dorado Eagle reported that William had made bail and it
was thought that Harvey would do so in a few days. According to the following
two court records, Harvey and William did make bail through their half brother,
John Wesley and a friend of the family, James T. Sheppard. They were supposed to
see to it that Harvey appear in Circuit Court on the first day of the fall term,
30 Oct. 1877.
It probably didn't take Harvey long to make up his mind that he did not want to stay around for the outcome of the trial. With all the excitement the case had generated in Union County and the resentment the County was feeling over the Little Rock Star's accusation he probably thought he just might be used as an example. By 30 Oct. 1877 Harvey had jumped bail and left his brother, John Wesley, and friend, James T. Sheppard, holding the bag for $650.00. An old letter, dated 13 March 1879, and addressed to John Wesley, at the El Dorado, AR. post office, shows that Harvey went to Cook County, Texas and was murdered there. (See entry dated 13 March 1879.)
State of Arkansas - case # 1865 against Harvey Fletcher.
Comes B. W. Johnson, Esq., prosecuting attorney, and Harvey Fletcher,
defendant, herein being solemnly called, came not but made default and is
appearing to the court that heretofore to wit:
on the --day of ---1877, Harvey Fletcher, the defendant, herein executed two
separate bonds to the State of Arkansas, one for the sum of two hundred and
fifty dollars, and the other for the sum of four hundred dollars, conditioned as
required by law. First, John W. Fletcher and J. T. Sheppard, as his securities,
for his personal appearance before the Union Circuit Court on the first day of
the fall term, 1877 thereof to await the action and order of said court upon the
charge of grand larceny. Whereupon comes prosecuting attorney and moves the
court to take a forfeiture in each of the bonds above specified, which motion is
by the court sustained. It is therefore considered, ordered, and adjudged by the
court that the bonds herein be and the same are hereby forfeited, and that
summons issued directed to the sheriff of Union County, commanding him to
summons Harve Fletcher, John W. Fletcher, and J. T. Sheppard to be and appear
before the Judge of the Union Circuit Court on the first day of the next Spring
term, 1878 thereof and show cause, if any they can, why judgment should not be
ordered against them for the sum of six hundred and fifty dollars. (book I, page
611) (copy of original article available)
The summons that was issued to be served on Harvey, John W., and James T. to
appear on the first day of the spring 1878 term, had been returned not served.
The reason it was not served on Harvey was that he had already left Union
County. It is not known why it was not served on John Wesley and James T.
Sheppard. The court then ordered an alias summons be issued and served on them
to be in court 23 Oct. 1878 with Harvey or six hundred and fifty dollars. The
summons was served on 16 Aug. 1878, However, John W. and James T. did not
appear. This information is gathered from the following summary of the events
that had taken place in the Harvey Fletcher case.
23 Oct. 1878 - The State of Arkansas - case 1933 - against John W. Fletcher
and James T. Sheppard. Comes Ben W. Johnson, Esq., who prosecutes for the
State and it appearing to the court that on the day of 1877, one Harvey Fletcher
executed his bond to the State of Arkansas in the sum of six hundred and fifty
dollars, conditioned as required by law, for his personal appearance before the
Circuit Court in Union County in the State of Arkansas on the first day of the
fall term thereof, 1877 to answer the State of Arkansas upon indictment of grand
larceny, and not depart the court without leave thereof and that John W.
Fletcher and James T. Sheppard signed and executed said bond as bail and
securities of the said Harvey Fletcher. And it further appearing to the court
that at the said October term, 1877, of said Circuit Court and on the 30th day
of said month, said bond was forfeited. By the consideration and judgment of
said court then and there had and that a summons was ordered to be issued
against all of said parties directed to the sheriff of said county commanding
him to summon them to be and appear before the Judge of the Circuit Court of
said County on the first day of it's next regular term to show cause, if any
they can, why judgment should not be rendered against them for said sum of six
hundred and fifty dollars on account of forfeiture of said bond and it further
appearing to the court that at the next term of said court, it being the regular
April term, 1878, said summons was returned not served, and said cause was
continued with an order that an alias summons issue herein, returnable on the
first day of the present term of this court and this cause being now regularly
reached on the docket and it appearing to the court that the said defendants,
John W. Fletcher and James T. Sheppard, have been duly and in due time served
with the alias summons herein which was issued on the 16th day of August 1878,
requiring them to appear on the first. day of the present term of the court to
show cause why judgment should not be issued against them for six hundred and
fifty dollars on account of forfeiture of said bond or executed by them for the
appearance of Harvey Fletcher as aforesaid and all of said parties, last above
named, being solemnly called, came not and made default. It is therefore
considered, ordered, and adjudged, by the court, that the State of Arkansas have
and recover of and from the said John W. Fletcher and James T. Sheppard, the
sum of six hundred and fifty dollars, the amount specified in said bail
bond, on account of the forfeiture thereof together with all her cost in and
about said forfeiture and this judgment expended. (book J -page 88-89)
(copy of original handwritten record available)
The above is the last record at hand in the case against Harvey Fletcher. It is
not known if the state ever collected from John W. and James T. Perhaps the
court dropped the matter after hearing that Harvey had been killed in Cook
County, Texas.
Hewetts store
Cook Co., Texas
March 13th 1879 Mr. John W. Fletcher
Your youngest brother was brutally murdered at my ranch in the Chickasaw nation on the last night of last year by one John Miller. He lived until next morning. Miller left at once and is said to be in the Choctaw about Doaksville. He is a very bad man. Claims to be part Indian. He is a heavy set man about 50 years old. Black hair and heavy black whiskers, very talkative. Says he was a captain in the army. Always drunk when he can get whiskey and he served in the penitentiary in Texas.
I reported it at once to D. P. Uphorn, United States Marshal, at Fort Smith, Ark. The evidence will hang Miller, if caught. You ought to write to the marshal and try and assist in having him caught. I run Miller out of this country, but he has some bad friends left here and I have to keep on my watch all the time. He was killed in presence of myself and wife without any warning. He said he had never saw Miller before that evening and had nothing between them. Miller was drunk and did it for nothing. I have spent lots trying to have him caught. Write to me at once to Hewers Store, Cook, CO. Texas.
Respectfully
One story passed down over the years to Murrel (Mayer) Carpenter, the
granddaughter of Harvey's sister, Martha Ann, is that Harvey came upon a burial
site of Indians who buried their dead above ground and in a sitting position. He
tied a rope around a dead Indian and pulled him behind his horse through town.
It is not clear what part of the country this incident took place, but if it was
in Cook County, Texas, this just might have been the reason for his death.
This copy of William's bail bond shows that he was to appear for his trial at
the following spring term, 1878.
State of Arkansas-case #
1877-against William Fletcher.
Grand Larceny - Comes B. W. Johnson, Esq., who prosecutes for the state. Comes
William Fletcher, the defendant herein in his own proper person and by attorney.
And upon motion and by mutual consent, this cause is continued without prejudice
until the next regular term of this Court, and the defendant herein is permitted
to enter into recognizance with John W. Fletcher and Robert Harris his
securities conditioned as required by law or his personal appearance before the
Union Circuit Court at the next regular term thereof. Whereupon comes William
Fletcher, John W. Fletcher, and Robert Harris into open court who each and
severally acknowledge themselves to owe and be indebted to the state of Arkansas
in the just and full sum of Five hundred dollars to be levied of their
respective goods and chattels, lands, and tenements, but to be void upon
condition that the said William should be and appear before the Judge of the
Union Circuit Court on the first day of the next spring term 1878 thereof to
answer the State of Arkansas in an indictment therein pending against him, that
he will not depart the Court without leave thereof and that the recognizance has
been read to each of them. (book I, page 612) (Original handwritten record
available) By the time the spring term came around, William was sick and could
Not be in court.
?---- 1878 - The State of Arkansas against William Fletcher,
defendant Comes Ben W. Johnson, Esq., who prosecutes for the State and defendant
William Fletcher, being solemnly called, comes not but makes default, but
appears by attorney and his attorney files herein his letter and a certificate
of J. Wade Cordon, a practicing physical, showing that defendant is sick and
unable to attend Court. And this cause is continued on account of the
absence and sickness of said defendant. (book J. page 136) (Original Handwritten
Court Record available)
23 Oct. 1878 - It seems that William appeared only this one time to answer the
charges against him. He got a reprieve, since some of the witnesses didn't
appear. This was the same day that the court made its summary on Harvey having
defaulted.
State of Arkansas against William Fletcher, Grand Larceny. Comes
B. W. Johnson, Esq., prosecuting attorney, comes also the defendant, William
Fletcher in his own proper person and by attorney and upon the motion of the
prosecuting attorney it is ordered by the Court that this cause be and
the same hereby continued until the next regular term thereof, for want of the
testimony of important witnesses on the part of the state.
? 1878 -The State of Arkansas against William Fletcher.
Grand Larceny - Comes B. W. Johnson, Esq., Prosecuting Attorney. Comes also the
defendant, William Fletcher by attorney and by mutual consent this cause is
continued without prejudice until the next regular term of this Court.
25 May 1879 - St. Clair County, Mo. - Marriage of William P. Fletcher to Lydia
E. Hoover, widow of M. G. Hoover. Lydia had two sons, William T. and Frank M.,
by her previous marriage.
26 Oct. 1880 - State of Arkansas - case # 1877 - against William Fletcher,
Grand Larceny.
Comes the state of Arkansas by John Cook, her attorney, and the defendant,
William Fletcher, being called, came not but makes default; whereupon it is
ordered by the Court that an alias summons be issued herein, returnable at the
next term of this Court and this cause is continued.
The court had had enough when William, nor his securities, showed up at the
above fall term. The Union County Court now had a case (case # 2067) against
John W. Fletcher and Robert Harris for forfeited recognizance. The following
record is a summary of events in William's case leading up to the charges
brought against John W. and Robert. The charges, of forfeited recognizance,
excluded William and was dismissed against him.
Oct. 1880 - State of Arkansas - case #2067- against John W. Fletcher, William
Harris, and William Fletcher -Judgment on forfeited recognizance. Comes John
Cook, Esq., who prosecutes for the state and it appearing to the Court that the
defendant, William Fletcher, with John W. Fletcher, and Robert Harris, as his
securities, at the October term 1877, of this Court entered into recognizance in
open court in the sum of five hundred dollars for the appearance of the
defendant, William Fletcher, at the next term thereof to answer indictment
against him for larceny in case number 1877 and it further appearing that the
said William, Fletcher, was at said term, solemnly called to answer said
indictment and came not, but moved default and that his said securities were
then solemnly called to show cause why said recognizance should not be declared
forfeited, and they failed to answer and move default. Whereupon the Court there
declared said recognizance forfeited and ordered that summons be issued thereon
against all of said defendants to show cause why judgment should not be ordered
for the amount of said forfeiture. And it further appearing that said summons
was issued and in due time served upon defendants, John W. Fletcher and Robert
Harris, and has not been served upon the defendant, William Fletcher. The
defendants, John W. Fletcher and Robert Harris, being called came not but made
default. It is therefore considered, ordered, and adjudged by the Court that
this cause be, and the same is hereby dismissed as against the defendant,
William Fletcher, and that the state of Arkansas have and expect of and from the
defendants, John W. Fletcher and Robert Harris, the sum of five hundred dollars
on account of said forfeiture and all her cost in this behalf expended. (book J,
page 367) (original record available) John nor Robert showed up for the above
court. Judging from the following court record, they claimed that they had
not been summoned.
30 Oct. 1880 - State of Arkansas - case # 2067 - against John W. Fletcher,
Robert Harris, and William Fletcher Forfeited recognizance.
Comes John cook, Esq., who prosecutes for the State and on his motion it is
ordered that a rule issued to James E. Thompson, late sheriff, requiring him to
come forward and amend his return on the summons herein by showing the party on
whom the summons was served. (book J, page 364) (copy of original Court record
available)
John Wesley and Robert ask for and got a continuance.
State of Arkansas - case # 2067 - against John W. Fletcher, Robert Harris,
and William Fletcher. Comes parties by their respective attorneys and in
their own proper persons and in leave asked and obtained. Defendants file motion
for continuance therein. This is the last record at hand on the case of
William. The outcome of the trial is not known.
17 Nov. 1884 - Death of John Wesley Fletcher. He was forty-eight years old. The
cause of death is not known. His widow was left with a large family to raise,
the youngest being less than one year old. Like so many women back then she
managed. John Wesley is buried in the Scotland Presbyterian Cemetery at Junction
City, Arkansas. The land for Scotland Presbyterian Church and Cemetery was
donated by his Father and Mother-in-law, Neil and Mary McCorvey, back in 1841.
30 March 1893 - The State of Arkansas vs. Charles Fletcher
The State of Arkansas brought charges of Grand Larceny against Charles Fletcher,
son of John Wesley and Carrie. Charles plead not guilty. The record from the
Circuit Court office in Union Co., AR does not give the details only the names
of the Jury.
"We, the Jury find the defendant "Not Guilty" W. W. Cornish - Foreman
It is therefore considered ordered and adjudged by the Court that the Defendant,
Charles Fletcher, go hence and out today and that the County of Union pay
all cost of the prosecution."
1900 U. S. census - Union County, Cornie Township,
Arkansas
Rebecca C. Fletcher was listed as head of household. All children, except Fannie
Lee were still at home. By this time Fannie Lee was married to Peter Gozi.
10 June 1907 - Marriage of John Oliver Fletcher (Tom), son of John Wesley
and Carrie, of Wesson, AR to Dollie Leolia Pyle, daughter of Andrew Jackson and
Susan Rebecca (Kemper) Pyle of Cornie, Union County, AR.
Children of Tom and Dollie Fletcher were:
John Wesley - born 10 Sept. 1910
Elton (Mike M.) - born 6 June 1914
Berdell - born 16 Aug. 1917
Bruce - born ca 1918
Lavell - born 10 May 1922
26 June 1907 - Charles M.
Fletcher, son of John Wesley and Carrie Fletcher, bought out the interest of his
mother and siblings in the Fletcher land at Wesson. AR.
22 July 1909 - Rebecca Caroline Fletcher made application to the pension board
to draw pension for the service of John Wesley during the Civil War. She
was allowed $100.00. (original record available)
Obituary of Carrie Fletcher - 15 Feb. 1910
Mrs. Carrie Fletcher, wife of the late John Fletcher, died at her home near Wesson, Tuesday morning, Feb. 15th of pneumonia.
Deceased
was one of the pioneer settlers in Union County being about 70 years old. Mr.
And Mrs. Fletcher raised a large family, all of whom she lived to see grown and
all married except two daughters and two sons. The children have grown up to be
useful citizens and stand well in the community in which they live. Mrs.
Fletcher was a useful, good woman and will be greatly missed. The bereaved have
the heartfelt sympathy of the entire community in this their sad hour of
bereavement.
Aug. 2, 1913 - John Oliver (Tom) and wife, Dollie Leona, bought forty acres of
land from John's cousins, D. E. McCorvey, N. F. McCorvey, and M. H. McCorvey,
wife of N. F.
Words of Conveyance:
Grant, Bargain, Sell, and, convey unto the said Thomas Fletcher
and unto his heirs and assigns forever the following lands lying in the
County of Union and State of Arkansas.
To have and to hold unto Thos. Fletcher
Signed by
N. F. McCorvey, D. E. McCorvey, and M. H. McCorvey, (wife of N. F. McCorvey)
The forty acres was part of 640 acres granted John Oliver's grandmother, Mary
McCorvey, in 1858 and is still in the family but divided into two parts,
27 acres owned by the oldest son of John and Dollie, the other 13 acres is owned
by John's sister.
22 May 1922 - Death of Dollie Leona Fletcher. She died at the State Hospital in
Little Rock, AR 12 day after her baby, Lavell, Died. The baby lived only seven
hours.
Medical records show that Dollie had epilepsy, a chronic nervous conduction. Not
much was know about epilepsy in those days and was called fits. Dollie was in
and out the hospital for several years before she died of pneumonia. The child,
Lavell, is buried in Little Rock. Dollie is buried in Scotland Presbyterian
Cemetery, Junction City, AR. Dollie Leola's husband, John Oliver, raised their
three surviving children there on Cornie Creek between Junction City and Wesson
Arkansas.
Tom Fletcher died on 27 Jan. 1957 in Clarinda, Iowa while visiting with his son,
Mike. He died of coronary heart disease. He is buried in Scotland Presbyterian
Cemetery at Junction City, Arkansas.
2 May 1937 - Marriage of John Wesley Fletcher of Union County, AR to Miss.
Maudie Bell Lowery of Union Co., AR. Maudie was the daughter of Henry Allen and
Susan Jane (Beaty) Lowery.
Finchers Union Co., NC
Click the above link to go to the Fincher Web Page
Does anyone
have a picture of our Margaret Eugenia (Fincher) Lowery? She died in 1900
shortly after moving to Union Co., AR and is buried in Scotland Presbyterian
Cemetery at Junction City, AR beside her husband William H. Lowery.
We hope you enjoy both our Fincher and Fletcher genealogy sites. Please come back and visit again soon.
