James Harrison Roach married Pernicia Ann Florence Deel on December 20, 1860. When they got married they made their living farming. Their first child was born September 23, 1861. Seven months later he enlisted in the Confederate States Army on April 25, 1862 at Saltillo, Mississippi. Their first child died June 1862 two months after he enlisted. Their second child was born December 1862. He was discharged at close of the war in 1865 at Meridian, Mississippi. At time of discharge he was a private, Company G 31st., Mississippi Infantry, Confederate States Army. They had two more children while they lived in Mississippi. James & Pernicia along with their three children came by wagon train from Pontotoc county, Mississippi to Ellis county, Ferris, Texas. They arrived in Ellis county August 31, 1870. James found work as a constable in Ellis county in the 1870's. (Constable is a peace officer with less authority and smaller jurisdiction than a sheriff, empowered to serve writs, warrants and to make arrests.) They had three more children in Ferris, Texas. Pernicia Ann Florence (Deel) Roach died January 13, 1878.
On October 17, 1880, James married Sarah E. Wright and to this union two children were born. One daughter, died in infancy. The other a son George Turner Roach. His second wife died January 6, 1883.
On August 9, 1883, James married Charity Ellen Fielding and to this union one daughter was born (Addie Viola Roach). In 1885 James moved his family to Decatur, Texas. He found work as a janitor in the Decatur public school.
Mr. G. W. Gill knew James Harrison Roach in 1850 in Pontotoc County, Mississippi. Mr. G. W. Gill signed an EX PA RTE to help James prove he was in the confederate army. He needed this information to apply for a Army pension which he did receive.
The following obituary copied word for word from Decatur, Texas obituary.
(James Harrison Roach) J. H. Roach
At his home in Decatur, Tuesday, Nov 27, 1917, occurred the death of J. H. Roach , and old and esteemed citizen. Mr. Roach, at the time of his death was 79 years of age. He was born in Alabama, but his early youth was spent in Mississippi where he joined the Cumberland Presbyterian church. He came to Wise county some 32 years ago. He was married three times. His first wife was Miss P. A. F. Deel. To this union seven children were born, three of whom survive - H. A. and J. P. Roach and Mrs. N. E. James. The mother of the above children died Jan. 13, 1878. On Oct. 17, 1880, He married Mrs. S. E. Wright and to this union two children were born. One daughter, died in infancy. The other, a son, G. T. Roach, survive. He lost his second wife Jan. 6, 1883. His third wife was Mrs. C. E. Fielding whom he married Aug. 9, 1883, in Ellis county. One daughter, was born to them. In 1885 Mr. Roach brought his family to Decatur, where he has since lived. He made a good citizen, lead a quiet, peaceable life and those who knew "Dad" Roach best knew they had an unfailing friend. His last sickness was the result of an illness some two years ago, from which he never fully recovered. The funeral occurred Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the family residence, Rev. J. F. Baker, from Alvord, C. P. minister, officiating. The News extends sympathy to the bereaved family. The children present were: Mrs. N.E. James, Dallas; Mrs. Addie Kamp, Bridgeport; Mrs. Mollie Hodgerson, Shawnee, Okla.; George T. Roach, G. E. Fielding, Bridgeport.
Wise County Messenger November 30, 1917
J.H. Roach, for many years a resident of Decatur, died at his home here Tuesday. Funeral services were held at the family residence Wednesday by Rev. Baker of Alvord. Mr. Roach was born in Alabama in 1838, and came to this city in 1885. He served with honor in the Confederate army for three years. He was thrice married, and was survived by this third wife and five children, H.A. and J.P. Roach of Oklahoma, Mrs. N.E. James of Dallas, Mrs. Addie Kamp of Bridgeport, and George Roach of this city. Mr. Roach was a faithful member of the Cumberland church, and during his long life here has made many good friends.
General Information Wise County Census 1900 List the following: James H. Roach, birth - Nov. 1838, age 62, married 17 yrs., birth place Alabama, father's birth place North Carolina, mother's birth place North Carolina Ellen Roach, birth - Nov. 1840, age 59, married 17 yrs., birth place Indiana, father's birth place Kentucky, mother's birth place Virginia ( In 1900, 8 children, 4 still living) George Roach, birth - Dec. 1880, age 19 yrs., birth place Texas, father's birth place Alabama, mother's birth place Alabama George Fielding, birth - Nov 1877, age 22yrs., birth place Texas, father's birth place Indiana, Mother's birth place Indiana Adline Roach, birth - Oct. 1885, age 14 yrs., birth place Texas, father's birth place Alabama, mother's birth place Indiana
Marriage Records James Harrison Roach to Sarah E. Wright -- October 17, 1880 -- Waxahachie, Texas, Courthouse, Marriage records - Book D, page 292.
James Harrison Roach to Mrs. C. E. Fielding -- August 9, 1883 -- Waxahachie, Texas, Courthouse, Marriage records - Book D, page 95.
More About James Harrison Roach: Burial: 28 Nov 1917, City Cemetery (Oaklawn). Fact 1: 28 Nov 1917, Funeral cost $98.25. Religion: Presbyterian. Time: 27 Nov 1917, Time of death 10:00 A.M..
More About James Harrison Roach and Pernicia Ann Florence Deel: Marriage: 20 Dec 1860, Pontotoc, Mississippi.
Children of James Harrison Roach and Pernicia Ann Florence Deel are:
Mary Juana Roach, b. 23 Sep 1861, Mississippi, d. 16 Jun 1862, Mississippi.
James Harrison Roach (b. 22 Nov 1838, d. 27 Nov 1917)
Notes for James Harrison Roach: