Beyond our Elusive William Daniel

He came from Mississippi and settled at Prairie Grove, Texas (3 miles from Shiloh). His first child was born in Corpus Christi, TX. Later he bought a farm that cornered onto Thomas Wells land at Shiloh. Two of his daughters married sons of Thomas Wells. He received no injuries in the Civil War, but after he returned home, he lost a hand, either by the machinery of a syrup mill or while cleaning a gun. In later years after the war, they began to have a confederate reunion at Springfield. Families would camp there, and they would have parades, speeches, and campaigns, band style, in a round building. At night the city folk used it for dancing. James Polk Sawyer was the flag bearer who marched in front of the parade. He also took care of the flag during the remainder of the year. He had eight children by his first wife, Julia King. One of their children died in a tornado at the Prairie Grove school building. His second wife, Matilda Berryman, had two girls when they married (Lizzy and Kate). After their marriage they had three more children (Myrtie, Arvin, and Josie).
He farmed at Shiloh for over 50 years (Robert Wells letter dated 16 Feb 2001).

Census:
1900, 4 J-PCT, LIMESTONE, TEXAS, Series: T623 Roll: 1655 Page: 185A
204/204/204, Sawyer, James, head, w, m, Feb 1846, 54, m, 10, MS, MS, MS, farmer, own, free, farm
Sawyer, Matilda, wife, w, f, Jul 1861, 38, m, 10, 7 children, 5 living, AL, SC(?), AL(?)
----, George, son, w, m, Sep1883, 16, s, TX, MS, AL, farm laborer, not employed 2 mos., att. school 3 mos.
----, Louin W., son, w, m, Oct 1885, 14, s, TX, MS, AL, farm laborer, not employed 2 mos., att. school 3 mos.
----, Sue J., dau, w, f, Oct 1887, 12, s, TX, MS, AL, farm laborer, not employed 1 mo., att. school 4 mos.
Berryman, Lizzie P., stepdaughter, w, f, Jun 1886, 13, s, TX, TN, AL, at school, att. school 6 mos.
----, Katie, stepdaughter, w, f, Aug 1888, 11, s, TX, TN, AL, at school, att. school 4 mos
Sawyer, Myrtie M., dau, w, f, May 1891, 9, s, TX, MS, AL, at school, att. school 1 month
----, Arvin A., son, w, m, Mar 1893, 7, s, TX, MS, AL
----, Josie, dau., w, f, Jul 1899, 11/12, s, TX, MS, AL