My Genealogy Hound

William Pillburry, one of the most prominent farmers, and the second largest land owner in Walker Creek Township, was born October 20, 1840, in Marengo County, Ala., a son of William and Emeline Jane (Tyson) Pillburry. The father was born in London, England, on January 30, 1796, and at the age of seven years was apprenticed as a sailor in the English navy. During the War of 1812 he served on board an English man of war, called the “Commodore,” and was once wounded, receiving a musket ball in the back of the neck. He was captured by the United States forces and taken to Charleston, where he was held prisoner for some time, but finally made his escape, and afterward engaged in farming in South Carolina. Subsequently he went to Alabama, and was there engaged in boating on the Tombigbee River until 1826. In that year he married Miss Emeline Jane Tyson, daughter of Mr. Tyson, an extensive planter and slave owner, who was killed in 1833, in a difficulty with another man. She was born in Tennessee in 1812. Immediately after his marriage Mr. Pillburry went to Mississippi, and was there occupied for five years as an overseer on a large plantation, but later returned to Alabama, where he settled down to farming. In 1854 he moved to Bossier Parish, La., and four years later came to this State and chose a location in this county, where he was employed as a shoemaker and tinker, and here he passed the remainder of his days, dying in 1877. He was a devout member of the Missionary Baptist Church, as was also his wife, who departed this life in Alabama in 1850. Of the seven children born to their marriage, only two are now living, Elizabeth (now Mrs. Jay, of Texas), and William. The latter spent his life up to the age of thirteen years in Alabama, and when his parents moved to Louisiana he accompanied them to that State, and in that State, in 1856, he commenced life on his own responsibility by farming, carrying mail, etc. Later, when his father came to Arkansas, he came with him, and was employed as mail carrier between Lewisville and Orchard Grove, La., and later carried on farming operations. At the out break of the war he was unable to enlist, and remained at home engaged in farming, but in the fall of 1862 he was drafted in the Confederate service, and after a medical examination at Camden, he was discharged. The following fall he was united in marriage with Miss Rose Jane Chandler, who was born in Claiborne Parish, La., about 1843, and was a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Massy) Chandler, natives of North and South Carolina, respectively, and their union has been blessed with eleven children, seven of whom are still living: Ida (now Mrs. King, of this township), and Bertie, William D., Agnes R., Delia S., Alta P. and Lulu, all at home. Mr. Pillburry has been a cripple all his life, and while a young man he was compelled to use crutches for several years, but, notwithstanding this fact, he has been obliged to make his own way in the world, his father having no property, and as a proof of how well he has succeeded, one has but to look at his fine property, all accumulated by his own efforts and business ability. At the time of his marriage he owned a horse and about $300 worth of cattle and stock, but six weeks after his marriage he was taken sick, and for five years was unable to do any work, and during this time his property was all disposed of and the proceeds used to pay the doctor’s bills. During this time his family lived as best they could, and he managed to do a little work, such as shoe making and carding cotton, but was unable to do farm work. He was also employed at this time as deputy constable. The first property he ever owned was in 1807, when he entered a tract of 160 acres of slightly improved land in this township. The first year being a good cotton year, he made five bales of cotton, which at that time was worth about $110 per bale, and with the proceeds he was enabled to buy a team and wagon, and thus get his first start. He purchased his second piece of land in 1877, adjoining his first farm, and since that time he has invested largely in real estate, and now owns over 3,000 acres of good land, for which he has paid out over $10,000. There are 600 or 700 acres of this land under cultivation, and with the exception of 100 acres, which he works himself, it is all given out on shares, and yields Mr. Pillburry as his share about 100 bales of cotton (the principal crop) annually. Besides his farming interest he is largely engaged in stock-raising, and owns a fine grist-mill and cotton gin, the former having a capacity of 100 bushels, and the latter a capacity of seven bales per day. He is one of the most popular and influential men in the township, is a leader in the Sunday-school, and takes a prominent part in all religious and educational work, as well as in all enterprises for the good of the community. He is a decided Democrat in politics, and both he and wife are members of the Baptist Church.