Marcus “Mark” B. BIRD (1818-1892)

BIRD Chronicles

Marcus “Mark” B. BIRD (1818-1892) &

Elizabeth Emmaline Jane STEPHEN (1839-1885)

page established September 2023

Linton Research Fund Inc., Publication © 1987-2023 "Digging for our Roots"

Marcus “Mark” B. BIRD (1818-1892) &

Elizabeth Emmaline Jane STEPHEN (1839-1885)

(Brief Historical Skitch)

Marcus "Mark" B. BIRD (1818-1892) was the granduncle of Jeff Augustus “Gus” BIRD (1893-1954), also the great-granduncle of Evelyn Virginia BIRD (1922-2012).

Mark was the son of George BIRD, Sr., (1774-1847) & Martha ROBESON (1771-1836) Mark was born on June 28, 1818, in Rutherford, Rutherford County, North Carolina. [i] In 1838, he was listed as a planter, in Rutherford. Mark migrated in 1852 from Rutherford County to Tehuacana Creek, Waco Springs, McLennan County, Texas. In 1852, he was listed as a rancher in McLennan County, Texas. [ii] In 1853, Mark was listed as a member of the Tehuacana Baptist Church, McLennan County, Texas. [iii] He had a residence in 1860 in McLennan County, Texas. ^{^[iv]}

On April 29, 1856, Mark married Elizabeth Emmaline Jane STEPHEN (1839-1885) the daughter of James R. STEPHEN (1795-1857) & Mary Sarah WALKER (1796-1859) in Cherokee County, Texas. [v] Elizabeth was born on January 31, 1839, in Chapel Hill, Washington County, Republic of Texas. She died on December 22, 1885, in East Waco, McLennan County, Texas. at age 46, and was buried on December 24, 1885, in the Greenwood Cemetery, East Waco, McLennan County, Texas.[vi]

Mark & Elizabeth had fourteen known children:

Edward Walker BIRD (1857–1931); Sarah "Sally" Elizabeth BIRD (1858–1937); Carrie Ann BIRD (1859–1921); Isaac Newton BIRD (1860–1898); Andrew Jackson BIRD (1862–1949); Emaline BIRD (1864–1932); Marcus Lafayette BIRD (1865–1939); Wilson B. BIRD (1867–1914); Samuel BIRD (1868–1931); Alice BIRD (1869–1922); Laura BIRD McCown (1872–1955); Nora BIRD (1879–1947); Jefferson "Jeff" BIRD (1880–?); James "Jim" BIRD (1882–?)

The 1860 United States Federal Census, dated June 9, 1860 for Waco, McLennan County, Texas, list Mark living in dwelling #171; Family #171; Age in 1860, 40; Birth Year about 1820; Birthplace, North Carolina; Home in 1860, McLennan, Texas; Gender, Male; Post Office, Waco; Value of real estate, $225; Occupation, farming; Household Members, Mark Bird, age 40; Elizabeth B. Bird, age 19; Edward W. Bird, age 3; Sallie Bird, age 2; Carrie A. Bird 9/12. The 1862 U.S. IRS Tax Assessment Lists, list Mark owning and living on an 266 acre ranch with two stills, valued at $100.36, in District #3, McLennan, County, Texas, [vii]

On March 30, 1863, Mark patented land in Milam, McLennan, County, Texas. According to the Texas General Land Office, Land Grant Abstract Search: Abstract Number, #170; District/Class: Robertson Scrip; File Number: 000785; Original Grantee, Bird, Mark; Patentee, Bird, Mark; Title Date: District, Patent Date, 30 Mar 1863; Patent No: 337; Patent Vol, 16; Certificate; Part Section; Survey/Blk/Tsp; Acres, 105; Adjacent to his own County Acres. [viii]

Civil War

In 1861, Mark BIRD enlisted in the Confederate 13^th Texas Caverly Regiment, at Camp McCulloch near Tyler, Texas. Privet Bird was assigned to Captain J.W. Sedberry’s Company. [ix] The Regiment was active between February 22, 1862 and June 2, 1865. The regiment was enrolled in Confederate service in February 1862 and served exclusively west of the Mississippi River. The unit was later dismounted and became part of the Texas infantry division known as Walker's Greyhounds. The regiment fought at Milliken's Bend in 1863 and Mansfield, Pleasant Hill, and Jenkins' Ferry in 1864. The regiment disbanded in May 1865, but its official surrender date was 2 June 1865. It was nicknamed Burnett's Regiment under the command of Brigadier General Benjamin McCulloch (1811–1862). McCulloch was killed at the Battle of Pea Ridge on March 7, 1862 in Arkansas. [x]

In 1861, Mark BIRD enlisted in the Confederate 13th Texas Caverly Regiment, at Camp McCulloch near Tyler, Texas. Privet Bird was assigned to Captain J.W. Sedberry’s Company.

According to the Texas Muster Roll Index Cards 1838-1900, Privet 2^nd Class Mark Bird, age 45, reenlisted on March 17, 1864 at Camp McCulloch for six months. He was assigned as a reinforcement to Captain J.F. Davis of Company E, 1^st Regiment, Second Brigade. Mark was appraised at the time, to have a $400 dollar havelock, $100 dollar haversack and arms of $45 dollars. On April 6, 1864, the regiment was ordered to rendezvous at Camp Murrah, Louisiana to 1^st Lt. R.B, Wilson for reinforcements to Company 1 under the command of Major General Dick Taylor during the Red River Campaign. [xi]

Privet 2nd Class Mark Bird, age 45, reenlisted on March 17, 1864 at Camp McCulloch for six months.

Post War

On April 16, 1867, Mark Bird registered to vote in the Waco Precinct, McLennan County Texas and is listed as casting a vote in 1867, 1868 and 1869. [xii]

According to the July 27, 1870 Census, Marcus resides East of the Brazos River, McLennan County, Texas. Living in Dwelling #417; Family #424; Name: Marcus Bird; Birth Year about 1818; Age in 1870, 52; Birthplace, North Carolina; Home in 1870, East of The Brazos River, McLennan, Texas; Race, White; Gender, Male; Value of real estate, $3000; Value of personal property, $1000; Post Office, Waco; Household Members, Name Age; Marcus Bird, age 52; Elizabeth Bird, age 39, wife, keeping house, born in TX; Edward Bird, age 14, son, born in TX; Sally Bird, age 12, daughter, born in TX; Carrie Bird, age 11, daughter, born in TX; Newton Bird, age 9, son, born in TX; Andrew Bird, age 8, son, born in TX; Emeline Bird, age 6, daughter, born in TX; Marcus Bird, age 5, son, born in TX; Wilson Bird, age 4, son; Samuel Bird, age 2; Alice Bird, age 6/12, daughter. [xiii]

The 1880 Census list Mark living in Dwelling # 261, a farmer living next to his brother Martin. [xiv]

Mark signed his will on April 6, 1892 as “Mark” according to the McLennan County Court House Records. Mark died on June 23, 1892, in East Waco, McLennan County, Texas, at age 73. Seven years after Elizabeth did. He was buried on June 26, 1892, in the Greenwood Cemetery, next to his wife in East Waco, McLennan County, Texas. [xv]

Sources:

[i] Texas. McLennan, McLennan County Court House Records. .... Source (Mark's Will is dated April 6, 1892, recorded in the McLennan County Court House Records; 16 06 H 334-393 and 1601 H 359 also S 325, 574-82.).

[ii] Selected U.S. Federal Census Non-Population Schedules, 1850-1880 (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.Original data - View all sources.Original data: View all sources), Census Year: 1870; Census Place: East of The Brazos River, McLennan, Texas; Archive Collection Number: T1134; Roll: 10; Page: 11; Line: 22; Schedule Type: Agriculture.

[iii] Tehuacana Baptist Church, Records, McLennan County, Texas.

[iv] 1860 United States Federal Census (Ancestry.com. 1860 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Eighth Census of the United States, 1860. Washington, D.C.: National Archi), Source Citation: Year: 1860; Census Place: , McLennan, Tex as; Roll M653_1300; Page: 397; Image: 217; Family History y Library Film: 805300. .... Source (1860 United States Federal Census: dwelling #171; Family #171; Name, Mark Bird; Age in 1860, 40; Birth Year about 1820; Birthplace, North Carolina; Home in 1860, McLennan, Texas; Gender, Male; Post Office, Waco; Value of real estate, $225; Occupation, farming; Household Members, Name Age, Mark Bird, age 40; Elizabeth B. Bird, age 19; Edward W. Bird, age 3; Sallie Bird, age 2; Carrie A. Bird 9/12).

[v] Texas, Select County Marriage Index, 1837-1965 Court House Records, Waco, McLennan County, Texas.

[vi] U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1700s-Current … Texas, Death Certificates, 1903–1982, Texas Department of State Health Services; Austin Texas, USA.

[vii] U.S. IRS Tax Assessment Lists, 1862-1918, McLennan County, Texas, p. NARA Series, T227, NARA Roll: 6.

[viii] Texas General Land Office, Land Grant Abstract Search: County, McLennan Texas; Name, Mark Bird; Abstract Number, #170; District/Class: Robertson Scrip; File Number: 000785; Original Grantee, Bird, Mark; Patentee, Bird, Mark; Title Date: District, Milam; Patent Date, 30 Mar 1863; Patent No: 337; Patent Vol, 16; Certificate; Part Section; Survey/Blk/Tsp; Acres, 105; Adjacent County; Acres.

[ix] Texas, U.S., Muster Roll Index Cards, 1838-1900; Note Civil War Muster Rolls index Cards (both Confederate and Union)/ Also Texas State Rangers Austin, Texas: Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Publisher Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Publisher date 2011, Publisher location, Provo, UT, USA.

[x] Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License 4.0; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia ® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization.

[xi] Texas, U.S., Muster Roll Index Cards, 1838-1900; Note Civil War Muster Rolls index Cards (both Confederate and Union)/ Also Texas State Rangers Austin, Texas: Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Publisher Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Publisher date 2011, Publisher location, Provo, UT, USA.

[xii] Texas, U.S., Voter Registration Lists, 1867-1869 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Original data: 1867 Voter Registration Lists. Microfilm, 12 rolls. Texas State Library and Archives Commission, Austin, Texas.

[xiii] Selected U.S. Federal Census Non-Population Schedules, 1850-1880 (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.Original data - sources.Original data: Census Year: 1870; Census Place: East of The Brazos River, McLennan, Texas; Archive Collection Number: T1134; Roll: 10; Page: 11; Line: 22; Schedule Type: Agriculture.

[xiv] 1880 United States Federal Census: Place: McLennan, Texas; Roll: 1318; Page: 125A; Enumeration District: 108; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Publisher Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010. 1880 U.S. Census Index provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints © Copyright 1999 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. All use is subject to the limited

[xv] McLennan County Court House Records Texas. McLennan…. North America, Family Histories, 1500-2000 (Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.), Book Title: Lineage Book: NSDAR: Volume 065: 1907. .... Ancestry.com, Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963 (Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.), Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission; Pennsylvania, USA; Certificate Number Range: 059571-063330. … U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1700s-Current (Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.).