Robert Anderson, III

When his father suddenly died, Robert and his family returned from

Columbia, SC to help take care of the property. When the property fell

into other hands after his mother's death (only a year later), Robert

and his family moved to Charleston to live on a plantation his wife

inherited from her grandfather, George Barksdale. Most of their

children were reared there.

Later he moved to Mississippi and founded a shcool at Meridian, MS for

young women and taught until the Civil War was declared.

Then he moved to Texas and carried on his noble profession, amid the

hardships of the western frontier.

He died in California in 1892, still true to his Christian and noble

ideals, which made him a blessing to all those with whom he was

associated.

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ROBERT ANDERSON III

Robert Anderson the III was the son of Robert Anderson the II and

grandson of General Robert Anderson. He was born on his grandfather's plantation, along with his nine brothers and sisters, being the third child and eldest son. Martha Pickens Halsey, his sister Caroline's daughter, so beautifully describes the old plantation home, published in the Interior of South Carolina, September 16, 1909. Calling it the "Old Mansion Home," built in Colonial style with its lofty columns and large windows, opening on hinges like port holes. She tells of the ten happy children, seven boys and three girls, who were brought up in that southern home, roaming through its broad acres; surrounded by the darkies, who loved them and were equally loved in return; of the beautiful river that flowed nearby; of Cato the ferry man and Old Solon who was an oracle among his people. Calling many of the slaves by name and above all Fatima, who was said had been a princess in her own country.

Equally fascinating were the names of the carriage horses that were as wonderful as steeds of fairy lore. In these happy surroundings young Robert Anderson III grew to young manhood. At that time Pendleton was noted for its culture and refinement and he had the best educational advantages; entering the State University of Columbia at an early age.

After graduating, he married Mary Barksdale Pickens, daughter of

Ezekiel Pickens, eldest son of General Andrew Pickens, thus uniting the two families who had been life long friends. He was elected to teach in the university and his two eldest daughters were born at Columbia. His father suddenly died while attending his legislative duties, so Robert and family returned to the old plantation to help take care of the property.

His mother lived only a year longer, then the old plantation passed

into other hands. Robert Anderson and his wife Mary Barksdale Pickens, went to Charleston to live on a plantation she inherited from her grandfather George Barksdale. It was near Charleston and had a

beautiful view over looking the bay. Most of their children were born

and reared here. While I was recently on a visit to Pendleton, I found

in an old record, they deeded this property back in a deed of trust to

her mother, Elizabeth Barksdale Pickens, along with what she inherited

from her father Ezekiel Pickens.

Soon thereafter, he founded a school at Meridian, Miss. for young women and taught until the Civil War was declared. Then he came to Texas and carried on his noble profession, amid the hardships of the western frontier. He died in California in 1892, still true to his Christian

and noble ideals, which made him a blessing to all those with whom he

was associated. The following obituary was written by his

brother-in-law, Dr. Leroy J. Halsey, who was the husband of his sister

Caroline and President of the McCormick Theological University at

Chicago. This beautiful tribute paid by him is beautifully written, and

worthy of his noble life. "At his residence in Otay, near San Diego,

California, on the 18th of January, 1892, Mr. Robert Anderson, passed away at the age of eighty-one. He was the eldest son of Col. Robert Anderson of Pendleton, S. C. and grandson of General Robert Anderson of the Revolution. He was educated in Columbia, at the University of his native State, and soon after graduating was united in marriage with Miss Mary Pickens, daughter of Ezekiel Pickens, Esq., of Pendleton S. C. After spending some years as a planter in his native State, he removed to Mississippi, where he was engaged for several years in conducting seminaries of the higher education for young ladies, and where he won a wide reputation as a thorough and accomplished instructor. After this he moved to Texas, and settled at Waxahachie, and finally, a few years before his death, he moved to the home in Otay, Calif.

"Before leaving South Carolina, Mr. Anderson became a member of the Presbyterian church of his fathers, by profession of faith, his wife

uniting with him at the same time. He continued through life an active

and consistent Christian, faithful to all his duties, and influential

in his instructions to those under his charge. He was a man of sterling

integrity, and he filled with honor all the positions of responsibility

to which he was called. In all the intercourse of life he was always

the perfect gentleman, impressing all who made his acquaintance with

his sincerity, his intelligence, his urbanity, courtesy and kindness.

In conversation he was one of the most pleasant and companionable men-- always firm in his opinions and zealous of the truth, yet considerate and tolerant of the opinions and rights of others. As a husband, friend and citizen he was a noble type of a true-hearted and conscientious man. In all these relations he was admired, honored and loved. God gave him lengths of days, and he served his generation well. In the large family of children and grandchildren that grew up under his influence, and owed much to his instructions, he was ever held in honor and reverence; and he had the satisfaction of seeing them trained in the fear and service of the Lord. "Mr. Anderson's wife and ten children, two sons and eight daughters, survive him. His children are all married, and residing either in Texas of California. One of his brothers was the late Rev. Edmund Anderson, a Presbyterian minister of South Alabama, and one of his sisters is the wife of the Rev. Dr. Leroy J. Halsey, of Chicago."

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Robert Anderson had a long career as a farmer, planter and educator. He graduated from a college in South Carolina and though fully equipped for the legal profession he surrendered to his strong inclinations for agriculture and spent most of his years on his plantation.

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Recollections of my Grandfather Anderson

[ This document was transcribed from handwritten notes received from

David Rothrock. -Mitch Fincher]

Recollections of Grandfather, Gen Robert Anderson III. Written by his

granddaughter, Alice Evans. Septima Fincher was also his granddaughter, mother of Rose Fincher Rothrock.

Recollections of my Grandfather Anderson

When my father moved to Eastland County Mother's parents lived 16 mi N.W. from where Ft. Worth now stands. The farm was on a beautiful little stream called Silver Creek, on the line of Parker and Tarrant counties. She with her children, often visited them and many of my childhood days were spent in their house, a few of the reminiscences I shall try to recall.

While Grandfather was a noted educator, he loved the soil. He

superintended the work of the farm and at the same time taught the

first schools of Weatherford. There were very few schools at that time

in the county and only attended by young men, old enough to carry a gun or pistol and knew how to use them. People would not send their

children to school when Indians were likely to swoop and carry them

away. These years were the worst Indian Depredations in Parker County.

Grandfather and his son-in-law, Lige Fincher had many thrilling

experiences. (Lige Fincher was the father of Catherine Rosalie

Fincher.) The family still has one of the guns in the raids. There was

much excitement while they lived here over the capture of Cynthia Ann

Parker by the Comanche Indians. She and her brother John had been

captured in early childhood. Their uncle, Isaac Parker, for whom the

county was named, with his distinguished family, lived in the

neighborhood of Grandfather's home. Many and varied were the tales of her capture from the Indians. There was no town in Texas where the

tales were not told. While much had been said about her capture; it all

seemed so far away unless it had happened in your home community. She was brought back to live with her Uncle Isaac Parker. She had with her, her little daughter, Prairie Flower, but she was never happy and grieved until her death for her two boys and the wild Indian life.

Prairie Flower only lived a few years and this made life sadder than

ever for Cynthia. The story goes she was 9 years when she was captured by the Indians and 18 when she became the wife of Chief Reta Nato. He was distinguished for his cruelty and hated of white people, but he was kind to Cynthia Grurr(?). Chief Naco liked good horses and Parker County had these. He became so notorious

for his many raids and cruelty that the Governor sent a troop of

Rangers, headed by Sul Ross to hunt out and destroy the band. The band of Rangers about 60 in number came upon Nacona's camp, Perse River. The camp was captured and many slain. The Chief fled at full speed with another Indian behind him, who was covered with a buffalo robe. Sul Ross fired his gun at the blanket and the Indian fell dead. She proved to be a squaw. There was another squaw on a fleet pony with her baby in her arms, racing beside him. The Chief as he proved to be, was wounded unto death. Capt. Ross told him through an interpreter his life would be spared if he would surrender, but he backed against a tree and began singing a wild wind song, the death song of the tribe; then a shot from one of the scouts ended his life. The woman with the baby stopped and held it up. She was a white woman and said she was the wife of the chief. She wept incessantly. Capt. Ross told her she would not be harmed. She said, "I do not fear for myself, but I have 2 sons; I am afraid they are killed["]. She was taken to a white settlement and recognized as the long lost Cynthia Ann Parker. Then she was taken to her Uncle in Parker County. The child was called Prairie Flower, one of the two sons was slain. The other son, Quanah, who grew up with the Zuadahada band. After the death of his father, rose to influence as chief of that band as well as in the Comanche tribe. He was noted for bravery and cruelty, succeeding his father as chief of the tribe and led them in many raids on the white settlement in Parker County, over the trails made by his father, on one raid made in April 1869 near Grandfather's farm there were 16 Indians in the band led by Quanah. Seven white men pursued them including Grandfather's son-in-law. The fight occured near Mineral Wells. It was a bloody fight. One white man and 11 Indians and 12 horse were killed. Quanah's last fight was on the Staked Plains in 1875. Quanah later admitted this. Up to this time he had been all Indian, but when he surrendered to Gen. McKinsie he said "now I can go to my Mother["]. His mother was dead, sleeping peacefully beneath the Texas soil. He learned of her death 2 years later. He took her name and became Quanah Parker. Quanah had been a great chief but Quanah became a greater leader for Peace, planning for the progress of his people. He came to be rich, but the thing he valued most was a picture of his mother. He took her body back to Oklahoma and in 1911 he died and was buried by her side. Quanah Parker said he had been asked often to return to his mother's people in Parker County but he had refused saying. "I am chief and the people look up to me here. Down there I'd only be a half breed Indian["].

The Indian Massacre in Parker Co. during the years Grandfather lived on his little farm on Silver Creek would fill a large Volume, but only a

few I would name(?) I leaned the following from Mrs. Robert Hickson of

Strawn as told to her Grandfather, who was name, M.L. Dalton. He had

marketed a heard [sic] of cattle in Kansas, on the return trip to Palo

Pinto he, with seven companions were over taken at Weatherford by a

band of Indians and he was killed. They were traveling in a hack, in

which they had trunks filled with merchandise for the home; the Indians broke open the trunks, taking all they wanted. The five teams of mules and 5 fine horses were taken. In their haste they over looked a shoe in one of the trunks, in which was concealed $11,400.00. This was returned to Mrs. Dalton.

Grandfather lived here four years, later moving to California where he

and Grandmother died, each being past 80 years of age.