Family Tree Maker's Genealogy Site: Genealogy Report: Descendants of Henry Stracener, Jr.

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Descendants of Henry Stracener, Jr.

Generation No. 1

1. HENRY² STRACENER, JR. (HENRY¹) was born Abt. 1791 in North Carolina ¹, and died Jan 1842 in Saint Clair County, Alabama¹. He married SUSANNAH A. KNIGHT Abt. 1812 in Franklin County, Tennessee¹. She was born Abt. 1796 in South Carolina¹, and died 18 Jan 1863 in Denton County?, Texas¹.

Notes for HENRY STRACENER, JR.:
STRACENER-STRACNER-STRASNER

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

PEOPLE! THAT'S WHAT!!

Your ancestors, friends of the family, folk down the road, down the street, across the creek, all people, but they were more than people!

They were fascinating people, and they lived, and still live, in fascinating times.

A study of any family will discover many things. The embarkation of a genealogical research will usually begin with a little factual Information and a LOT of legends. Since most all legends contain some element of truth, finesse is essential in sorting out the facts from fiction, and still maintaining a close, friendly relationship with the "old timers" of the family who will continue to recall valuable instances of family activities as more and more of the pieces of the "jig-saw puzzle" of history are fitted into the right places.

You should have the privilege of meeting, either in person, or by telephone, or even through correspondence, the fascinating, friendly people who have helped to spin the yarns, pass along the legend, dig into memories, old trunks and records, and share the precious memories from old family Bibles, and in many instances, taking the initiative and involving other family members in gathering facts and other tremendously valuable information.

STRACENER, and its variations, seem to mean "Street" or "Road Builder".

There seems to be no doubt about the origin of the family having been German, however there is a great variation in the spelling. More of the family spell the name STRACENER than any other spelling.

Other spellings of the name are listed below:

STRACENER; STRACNER; STRAISNER; STRASNER; STRASSER; STRASSNER; STRAYANER; STRAYANOR; STRAYSON; STRAYSONER; STRAZNER; STRISSNER; STRSZER; VON STRASNER

It is interesting to note that more variations in the spelling of the name occur through the descendants of P. Michael STRACENER. One of the four sons of the Henry STRAYSON/STRASSON listed on the 1790 North Carolina Census enumeration which migrated in the early 1800's. The one son may have been Adam STRAIGHTER in Granville County, North Carolina, 1800 and 1810, A. STRACensus Each of the Census also had one Henry STRACER/STRAIGHTER. Nothing more is known of Adam.

It is not known when Henry went to Roane County, Tennessee.

It is known that Henry STROSSONER, was taxed as "one free poll" on the Roane County tax lists of 1805. It is interesting that Robert S. and Bazzle BRASHEARS, a family which was soon to be connected with the STRACENERS appeared on the same tax list.

It has been reported that the Roane County, Tennessee tax list included Henry STRACENER OR STRAYSON about 1806 or 1807. There seems to be no further record of Henry available. The son Henry would be too young to own land at that time.

The area around Kingston, the County seat of Roane County where the Tennessee River forks, is a beautiful country. Compared to the farmlands of North Carolina, the rich Tennessee Valley was a virtual "Garden of Eden". The river divides Roane into three parts, and the location of Henry's home-place remains unknown to this time.

The trail of Michael STRACENER begins in Roane County when he secured a marriage license on April 20, 1807, to marry Elizabeth BRASHIR/(BRASHEAR/BRASHER/BREASHER), with Zaza BRASHER as bondsman. Michael's name is spelled STRAISNER on the Marriage Records.

Since the actual license is missing from the records, it is not known who performed the ceremony, nor the exact date of the wedding, although most of the nuptials in that area and era, the marriage was performed the same day, or the next day after the license was issued.

Mykel STRASNER appeared on the tax list of Rhea County in 1808, where he was included on Jonathan FINE'S list.

That the STRACENERS were on the move through Franklin County, Tennessee and into Alabama, paralleling the Tennessee River Valley is conclusive.

It is not known exactly when the other boys began their move down the Tennessee River, but it has been tradition that the son named Henry, for his father, married Susannah KNIGHT in Franklin County, Tennessee in 1812.

The Marriage Records of Franklin County prior to 1839 have long since been lost or destroyed. As a result, the exact date of young Henry's and Susannah's marriage may never be known.

There are no land records indicating ownership of any land in Franklin County by STRACENERS. Deeds, mortgage records, wills, and succession records, along with an original tract book showing land grants and patents of land conveyed by both the United States and the State of Tennessee to original homesteaders, are available in the County seat in Winchester, Tennessee. These records have been diligently searched for the name STRACENER, but to no avail.

It may be interesting to know that Henry and Susannah's son Benjamin was married in 1837 to Nancy, the daughter of Mary and Abraham KUYKENDALL, who themselves were married about 1812 in Franklin County, Tennessee. So it is likely the two families knew each other before moving to Texas.

A third son of Henry STRACENER, SR. was named George. He married Hannah STEADMAN, in Madison county, Alabama October 10, 1809.

Deed records have been researched in Madison County, Alabama, and there have been no records of STRACENERS discovered.

In the appraisement of the estate of Dr. William SIMPSON, dated May 28, 1816, a listing of his accounts included H. STRASENER, Michael STRASNER, and Geo. STRASNER. (File 1024 Madison County, Alabama, succession records.)

The trail becomes clearer with the southward movement of the three brothers, P. Michael, Henry and George STRACENER to Saint Clair County, Alabama, where they settled their families near the Coosa River. Michael and Henry were granted patents on land north of the Coosa River. George moved across the river into Talladega County, only a few miles away. Here we find for the first time the spelling STRACENER used by most descendants to this day.

Michael homesteaded at least 375 acres of land in Saint Clair County, and by 1850, owned a family of slaves, so he was rather affluent in the business world. The mortgage records of Saint Clair County indicate corn farming and stock raising and he believed in recording every mortgage or "legal paper" which he gave.

In about 1849 or 1850 (thought to be the latter), Michael loaded his slaves on his wagon and drove around to his children's homes distributing them among his seven children. Michael then is supposed to have loaded a trunk of valuables on the wagon, along with his wife, Elizabeth, and headed for the "old country".

The story continues that they headed westward, and when they arrived at the banks of the Mississippi River, Elizabeth refused to cross, and she returned to Saint Clair County, Alabama. Michael crossed into Arkansas where he appears on the Jackson County Census dated October 29, 1850. Elizabeth is listed with him-but she is also listed in 1850 and later in Saint Clair County, Alabama. The last record we have of Michael was when he deeded the slaves to his children in 1856 White County, Arkansas. (See Book D, p. 221-Saint Clair County, Alabama--also p. 174 "Stracener Digest.")

Elizabeth STRACENER died intestate, probably in early January, 1867. On February 18, 1867, Hiram STRACENER requested the Saint Clair County Court to appoint him as administrator of Elizabeth's estate, "since the death of Elizabeth STRACENER has been more than forty days, dieing intestate." (Quote is exact.)

Henry, Jr. was not an old man when he died between December 1, 1841, and January 26, 1842, when John COLLINS filed papers as the administrator of his estate, according to Saint Clair County, Alabama, Orphan Court Minutes. (Book 1834-1848)

The settlement of Henry's affairs took several years, after which Susannah began her westward travels which would eventually take her to Denton County, Texas. (1860 Census)

Old STRACENER homestead lands are under water as a result of Logan Martin Dam and Lake. This precludes Cemetery searches in the area of the homesteads.

The westward migration had been started by Susannah's number two son Benjamin, who headed for Texas shortly after Texas had won her independence. Benjamin married Nancy J. KUYKENDALL on November 5, 1837, in St. Augustine County, Texas. Nancy and her parents were from Franklin County, Tennessee.

It is known that Susannah moved to Clairborne, Parish, Louisiana, in the early 1850's, then to Denton county, Texas, where daughter Nancy and her husband, Hezekiah SPEARS, were living.

Several documents and old letters dating back to the 1850's are still in the possession of my family.

Letters from Kneal STRACENER, living at Dorcheat Post Office, Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, written May 9, 1856 to his brother, Benjamin F. STRACENER, living in the area served by the Belton Post Office, Bell County, Texas, and from Hezekiah SPEARS, Denton Post Office, Denton County, Texas written September 18, 1859 to his brother-in-law Benjamin STRACENER then living in Erath County, Texas, reveals some very important family facts and movements.

In Kneal's letter, he states that "Mother, boys and George is in Texas Upshur so fair as I know. Sister Nancy is living in one mile of me but where Martha and Rebeck is I do not know." This would indicate that Susannah, along with William Henry and Jasper N. were living with or near George Washington in Upsur County in Mid-1856. William moved to Erath County with Benjamin.

Susannah and Jasper moved to Denton County in early September of 1859, Joining the SPEARS, and William moved up from Erath County.

With no trace of Susannah on the 1860 Census found to this date, it is assumed that she must have died sometime during the 1860's. It is possible that she also died in 1862 as the result of some epidemic which may have claimed the lives of her son, Benjamin on April 1, and Benjamin's wife, Nancy, on May 10. It is unusual that a man and his wife would die within forty days of each other when they were both so young, without some disease epidemic. If this were the case, it also could have claimed the life of Susannah, along with those of two of Benjamin and Nancy's children which died 6 & 8 November 1861, and the third on January 28, 1862.

In any event it is believed that Susannah was living in Erath County, Texas at the time of her death.

Some STRACENERS have said that those who spell the name STRACNER are no relation, but this has been found to be untrue. Other have said that "Indians, bearing the name STRASNER, living in Arkansas, are no relation." This, too, is untrue.

The original immigrant bearing the name, possibly anglicized the name, but this occurred before 1800! Most of the family who are still alive are at least sixth generation Americans, and can trace the line back directly to 1790, two centuries.

Perhaps the only accurate conclusion that can be drown at this point in time is that the name is an occupational name, describing the occupation, or profession of those who first bore the name in Germany.

Uncle Tom STRACENER, said, "We use to have an old paper that burned with mama's things, that said one of the old STRACENER brothers was a Lieutenant in George WASHINGTON'S Army. We kids use to get it out and look at it. Originally there was five brothers but the family lost track of two of the brothers."

There was a John and Nicholas STRASER/STRASSER in Pennsylvania in the Revolutionary War and one of them is most likely our ancestor. This would indicate that our family could be from Pennsylvania and more research is needed. No passenger manifests have been found that pertain to this family.

Several branches of this family state, "The ancestors were from Germany." QUATTLEBAUMS were from Germany and settled in Pennsylvania and Alabama. They were united through marriage with two STRACENER boys. This gives even more credibility to the idea that the family is German in origin, especially after the spelling of the names on tax lists of Roane and Rhea Counties. It would have been natural for two families of foreign extraction from the continent of Europe to combine their travels and destinies.

A history such as this is never finished so long as people are born and die. Much research is always needed--but I feel it is important to record what information we now have.

By Louise STRACENER PAYNE

More About HENRY STRACENER, JR.:
Date born 2: Abt. 1785, Germany ²
Occupation: Farmer

Notes for SUSANNAH A. KNIGHT:
THE FOLLOWING THREE LETTERS ARE ALL ON ONE SHEET OF PAPER. IT IS COPIED IN THEIR OWN SPELLING. IT SEEMS
THAT THEY HAD ONE PERSON DO ALL THE WRITING FOR THEM.

(This letter was written on 11 June 1862 to Benjamin F. Stracener a brother of William H. Stracener)

(The irony of this letter is that Benjamin and Nancy were dead when this letter was written. So Nancy was right when she said "I
heared you was dead.")

(Photo's of the original letter can be seen in the Scrapbook of Benjiman F. Stracener)

Denton County Texas June the 11th

Dear Son I take the preasant oportunity to in
form you that I am well and hope those
fiew line ma find you ejoying the same
blesing. Jasper is dead. the last acount William
was very low. I heared you was dead but I
havent heard for surtain. I want you to
write as son as you get this. Dear Brother if their
is any way in the world to come. for you
and Nansa to come and see us. I want you to
come. I mi love and respect is your and your
family. Tell all howda for me. I wish to
be remembered by you all. Your effecionate

Sister N. S. (this is a older sister Nancy Stracener)

Dear Son I am in a gret deal of troble.
I dont no what to do nor wheir to go. I
am not able to any thing and I dont no
what will become of me. Write whare Martha
is. I have heard the that sewas living at the
Robinson place. I never heard any thing about
Frankling Clouch. Write wheir he is.
I send mi best respecks to you and your wife
and children. Also to James Burnit also
Ann Burnet. also Dauter Martha and her Children.
I will have to bringe mi leter to a close.
I ever remain your effectionate Mother until
Death S.A. Stracener (this is Benjamins Mother Susannah A. (Knight) Stracener)

Dear brother. Ma sister Nansa an I is living
to gether. William Strasner mi Husband
is gonn to the war. I got a leter from
him. he had bin verry sick but could
now get up by him self. I am in hopse
he will ge well again.
We have got a fine sun now. 10 months
old. his name is Fransis Marion. I want
you and sister Nansa to come you if
your wife cant come. Mi name before
iwas maried was Ealine Sim. Parson Sims
Daughter. if William hadnt had gauns
to the war. we was going to go out their
to live. Ma and all of us. I send mi best
Respecks to you and all enquiring friend
Truly E.L. Strasner (this is Benjamins sister-in-law Ealine (Sims) Stracener)

More About HENRY STRACENER and SUSANNAH KNIGHT:
Marriage: Abt. 1812, Franklin County, Tennessee ³

Children of HENRY STRACENER and SUSANNAH KNIGHT are:

2.	i.	GEORGE WASHINGTON³ STRACENER, b. 10 Mar 1814, Madison County, Alabama; d. 17 Nov 1899, Bettie, Upshur County, Texas.
3.	ii.	BENJAMIN FRANKLIN STRACENER, b. 18 Aug 1816, Madison County, Alabama; d. 01 Apr 1862, Comanche County, Texas.
4.	iii.	KNEAL STRACENER, b. 05 Nov 1818, Saint Clair County, Alabama; d. 29 May 1859, Dorcheat, Claiborne Parish, Louisiana.
5.	iv.	MARY F. STRACENER, b. Abt. 1821, Saint Clair County, Alabama; d. Unknown.
	v.	SUSANNAH STRACENER, b. 1822, Saint Clair County, Alabama³; d. Unknown, Denton County, Texas; m. DANIEL A. MCCOOK, 20 Jan 1842, Saint Clair County, Alabama ^4,⁵; d. Unknown.

More About SUSANNAH STRACENER:
Name Used: 20 Jan 1842, Susan Strawner on Saint Clair County, AL Marriage Record

More About DANIEL MCCOOK and SUSANNAH STRACENER:
Marriage: 20 Jan 1842, Saint Clair County, Alabama ^6,⁷

6.	vi.	NANCY STRACENER, b. 1825, Saint Clair County, Alabama; d. 1863, Denton County, Texas.
7.	vii.	REBECCA STRACENER, b. 1827, Saint Clair County, Alabama; d. Unknown.
8.	viii.	MARTHA ELIZABETH STRACENER, b. Mar 1828, Talledego or Saint Clair County, Alabama; d. Aug 1906, Merkle, Taylor County, Texas.
9.	ix.	WILLIAM HENRY STRACENER, b. 1835, Saint Clair County, Alabama; d. Unknown, Weatherford, Parker County, Texas.
	x.	JASPER NEWTON STRACENER, b. 1837, Saint Clair County, Alabama⁷; d. Bef. 11 Jun 1862⁷.

More About JASPER NEWTON STRACENER:
Military Branch: C.S. Army
Name Used: Jasper
War Veteran: Civil War⁷

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