John M. Cayce
John M. Cayce
Native
of Tenn.
A Texas Veteran
Born
Apr. 12, 1819
Died Oct 5, 1887
Separation is our lot
Photo Credit: Rosa G. Gonzales
1. News Item
Selection from: “Blood on the Landâ€â€”Violence and Murder in the files of the Land Office
The road to civilization was one fraught with danger. Chief among them was the almost constant danger of attacks by wandering bands of Indians. Not only was this a danger to the anglo settlers streaming in from the east, but also to the existing Mexican population then residing in Texas. The history of Texas is filled with such clashes. Some of the more well known is the scalping of Josiah Wilbarger in 1833, the massacre at Parkers fort, and the captivity of Cynthia Ann in 1836.
One of the more remarkable stories found within the files at the Land Office is that of John M. Cayce. It is not known exactly when he arrived in Texas, however from the documents found within RV-1177, we know he was living in South Texas when he was a young boy. Cayce served in the Army during the Texas Revolution, found at the battle of San Jacinto and was still living in Nueces Co. in 1884.
According to the testimony of Cynthia Davis, John M. Cayce was 15 or 16 years of age in 1834. When he and his friends fought the Indians and guarded the settlers in Matagorda Co. Cayce received a Veterans Donation of 640 acres for his service in the revolution, and a Third Class Headright. Documents regarding John M. Cayce can be found in the following: Rob-3-160, Tra-B-839, Bex-B-2522, RV-1177.
Transcription of testimony of Cynthia Davis
Personally appeared before the undersigned authority Cynthia Davis (colored) who being first duly sworn deposes and says that she is a resident of Nueces County, and has been so for the three years last first, came from Victoria County, where I lived I think about 4 years; also in Calhoun County about 4 years; and before that at Caney, Matagorda County between 30 and 35 years. Affiant further says that she is now seventy-eight years of age, and knows Mr. John M. Cayce and has known him since he was 15 or 16 years of age, somewhere about the Fall of 1834. He was there as a scout after Indians in Matagorda County, Texas, at Live Oak Creek under Capt. Aylet Buckner or Bleckler and Henry Williams (blacksmith) and with abuot 15 or 16 others, among whom were two of my young masters Mr. John and Gus Williams, and also Mr. Ben Kindricks; this was at our house and said party had just come up from the mouth of old Caney Creek, where they had fought a battle with the Indians, coming off victorious, and taking some of their prisoners and afterwards turning them loose on their promise of their keeping peace. When tye came up they all marched right through my master R. Williams’s field up to the house, whooping and hollering and swinging their hats, worse than the Indians, saying that they had whipped the Indians, this was just about two hours by sunset. They had not been there long when Tom Hunters boy came with a “Spuss†(dispatch) saying that the Indians were worse up at the head of Bay Prairie in Matagorda County and were committing murders up in that country and had murdered all of Charles Carnio’s (spelling unclear) but me. My master then gave them all a big dinner, and a big drink when they all started off up to Bay Prairie right up Live Oak Creek and fought a battle on Colorado River as my young masters who went along, afterwards told me.
In May 1836 I again saw Mr. John M. Cayce at the town of Matagorda in Matagorda County, Texas, under the command of Capt. or Col. Jn. E. Wallis. He was standing guard with others, among whom were my said young masters John and Gus Williams and also Ben Kindricks over the said town for about three (3) weeks and over three (3) old Indians that they had captured during that time. I remember seeing Mr. Cayce (word unclear) and these Indians, who were on one occasion sitting on the gallery at Mr. Hodges house, with Mr. Cayce and others guarding them. Cynthia her + mark Davis Sworn to and subscribed before me by making her mark in my presence this 17th day of February A.D. 1885, Delmas Givens, Notary Public, Nueces County, Texas
Research and Transcription: Michael A. Howell and Geraldine McGloin
2. Obituary
DIED. CAYCE — In this city, Oct. 5th, 1887, at 10:30 a.m., of dysentery, JOHN M. CAYCE, aged 69 years, 5 months and 5 days.
The deceased was a Texas veteran who had pride and love for his country. He leaves a wife and three children, besides many friends to mourn his demise. The funeral took place Thursday from his residence on the bluff.
Source: Corpus Christi Caller, October 8, 1887, p. 5, col. 2.
Research by: Msgr. Michael A. Howell
Transcription by: Rosa G. Gonzales