Mary Hilliard was born May 8, 1890 in Belton, Bell County, Texas to William Newton and Laura (Rosser) Hilliard, who were prominent Belton residents. Her brothers are John Wesley (who died in infancy), William Isaac, Horace Bell, Taylor Hudson, Marvin Edgar, Earl (Pete), and Anne Hilliard. Copies of the birth and death pages of her father's Bible do not indicate the birth of Anne, however she is listed on the back of an old photograph of their family. The Bible does list a Sarah Josephine Nixon who was born some 11 months prior to the marriage of Mary's mother and father. It is possible that this was Laura's child only. Francisco Paez was born June 4, 1883 in La Lajita Ranch in Zapata County, Texas to Reducindo Paez and Juana (Garza) Paez. His seven brothers and sisters are Pedro, Tomas, Epifano, Maria, Francisca, Augustina, and Juan Paez. Francisco was a laborer and musician. Although he played many instruments, he was an excellent violinist. Francisco had two sisters who worked at the Hilliard estate, Augustina and Maria, and it was they who recommended Francisco when the Hilliards wanted to hire a musician for an upcoming celebration. He came to play for the Hilliards, and Mary fell in love with him there and then. Shortly after, and with the help of Francisco's sisters and Mary's nanny, Mary climbed out her window one night to meet Francisco, and they eloped. Her brother Marvin helped her get to Waco, where she and Francisco were married. Her father was so outraged that he formed a posse of men to find them and kill them. His daughter's actions were a disgrace to him. Francisco and Mary settled in Waco where he and his brother, Tomas, had a restaurant. Across from this restaurant was the Hotel Ancira, where Mary and Frank hid for seven months after their marriage. It was at this time that Mary received word that her father had developed a tumor on his head (which ultimately killed him). These health issues brought his search for Mary and Frank to an end. While in Waco, Mary became pregnant with their first child, Francisco, Jr. Shortly afterward, they moved to a ranch near Houston or Dallas, and their second child, Maria was born there. Eventually they lived in Sinton, Edna, where my mother was born, in Driscoll, and Laredo. Mary was estranged from her family for many, many years, seeing her brothers and sisters only very rarely, and her mother only after the death of her father. Mary and her father never reconciled, though while he was sick, he did tell his wife that after he recovered he would send for Mary so that he could get to know her family. This never happened. He did, however, deed land to her and attached a very endearing note to the legal document. I do not have a copy of that document at this time to verify it. Mary was a very sweet woman and a very dedicated and loving mother. She worked as a midwife for 20 years. Part of that time, she worked in Laredo and earned a great reputation there. Francisco continued to be a musician and also a laborer, and even worked for the H.B. Zachry Company in the 1930s. Francisco and Mary were married for 44 years, until Francisco's death in 1950. They had twelve children in 24 years, between 1907 and 1931: Francisco, Jr., Alicia, Maria, Juan, Anna, Eva, who died in her early teens, Aurora, Eugenio, Nellie, David,Tina, and William, who died in infancy. Francisco died on November 24, 1950 and is buried in Saginaw, Michigan. Mary died November 11, 1963 and is also buried in Saginaw, Michigan. |
| Francisco Paez and Mary (Hilliard) Paez |
 |
| Mary (Hilliard) Paez Francisco Paez taken about 1940 |
 |