George Owens
Geo. Owens
Co. F
9th U.S. Cav.
Photo Credit: Rosa G. Gonzales
Biography
The stone marking the resting place of George Owen in Old Bayview Cemetery announces him as a member of the Ninth United States Cavalry. The Handbook of Texas provides the following information regarding these troops. The legislation signed by President Andrew Jackson on July 28, 1866 recognized the service of black troops who fought for the Union during the Civil War and provided for their presence during the Reconstruction period in Texas. Early in the spring of 1867 the regiment was ordered to Texas, and the Ninth was one of only three cavalry regiments in the state. In cooperation with several infantry units, the Ninth cavalry was responsible for protecting and defending a vast region of West Texas, as well as hundreds of miles of Rio Grande frontier. They protected against Indian raids, cattle thieves, and bandits while keeping road secure for commerce. Difficult campaigns against hostile elements of the Kiowas, Comanches, Southern Cheyennes, and Arapahoes turned the Ninth into a "tough, hard-striking, and combat-wise regiment". Some of their members were responsible also for the patrol of the Rio Grande area, and George was probably a part of that group that was often in the Corpus Christi area. Ultimately George settled in Nueces County and his marriage to Jane Stafford is recorded in the county records. Before Elder Moses H. St. Clair (Sinclair), minister of the First Congregational Church, "George J. Owens" and "Jane Stafford" married on 13 September 1874 (Nueces County Marriage Records, volume D, page 123). The marriage did not last long before George died as "Jane Owens" is listed in the 1880 federal census of Nueces County as a 30 year old Mulato from Alabama who is widowed and supports herself by working as a laundress (p. 26D). Jane subsequently married another African-American veteran, Wm. H. Warfield, who also preceded her in death and was laid to rest in Old Bayview Cemetery. Jane Stafford may also be related to the Sinclair (St. Clair) family that has numerous members buried in Old Bayview as Stephen Sinclair has a niece with last name of "Stafford" living with him and his family at the time of the 1880 census.
Research and transcription: Michael A. Howell