Stanton M. McLaughlin

1820-1860

On October 8, 1844 , Stanton McLaughlin, the son of James and Lucy McLaughlin filed for a head right claim for 320 acres of Texas . This head right law was enacted on January 10, 1843 and provided that all adult residents were entitled to free land (of varying amounts, depending on their marital status and their entry date into Texas ). About the only requirement needed was to have lived in Texas for at least three years and “preformed all the duties required of a citizen.”

The following document states that Stanton arrived in Texas on December 1, 1837 , however he arrived with his parents in ca 1822. I assume that since he reached the age of maturity (17 at the time) on/about 1837, this was the date established as his entry into Texas . Pioneers who came into Texas between Oct 1, 1837 and January 1, 1840 were eligible for 320 acres if single, and 640 acres if married.

He filed this application in Galveston County , but the 640 acres he selected was patented and surveyed in Jefferson County . This property is described in the deed with the south boundary described as 1,867 feet, “on the Gulf of Mexico .” It was located about 30 miles south of Sabine Pass, Texas . One year later on October 4, 1845 , he sold this land to Dwight MacMasters of Galveston Co. for $44.00 ($1,700 in 2005 dollars). Stanton never lived on this property. The deed conveying this property to MacMasters is signed by Stanton with his “x” mark.

On October 8, 1847 , Stanton McLaughlin married Artemisia Buxton in Harris County ( Houston ), Texas . Artemisia Buxton was the daughter of Alexander Buxton.  Artemisia died on March 1, 1919 while a resident of the Confederate Woman's Home in Austin, Texas.

Stanton and Artemisia would later move to Hays County , Texas which is located southwest of Austin .

It is believe Stanton died about 1860 in Hays Co, Texas . This death date is assume because the last child of this marriage to Artemisia, Sidney Ann McLaughlin, was born in 1859, and the next child, Sarah was born in 1862 and her last name was Burgess. Therefore Artemisia (or as she was called “Artie”) married William Burgess sometime around 1860 in Texas . He was always referred to in the family as “that old Dutchman,” however he family came from Germany . However, Germans were commonly called “Dutchmen” at the time.

During the Civil War William Burgess was a member of Company B, of Moran's Battalion Texas Cavalry for the period ca 1861-1863.  Then he joined Co B of David S. Terry's Regiment, with T.L. Scott as his captain during the period 1863-1865.  Because of his service his widow, Artie Burgess, was eligible for residence in the Confederate Women’s Home in Austin. She was a resident in the home for the last four years of her life. Both she and William are buried on the grounds of the Texas State Cemetery , Austin , Texas.

William began to receive a government pension on October 11, 1899 when he was age 79 and to infirm to work.  This is Confederate Pension Application #4553, filed in Burleson Co., Texas on August 12, 1899.

William Burgess was not a member of  B.F. Terry's Texas Rangers who were the more celebrated troop and are sometimes confused with D.S Terry's Regiment

David S. Terry was the brother of B. F. Terry and was a California Supreme Court Justice (nicknamed the dueling judge). A very colorful character. He served as a volunteer with the 8th Texas Cavalry before forming his own regiment.

For more information on this subject go to http://www.terrystexasrangers.org/.