Minutes of the

Ephraim Daggett Chapter of the

Sons of the Republic of Texas

February 6, 2010

The February meeting of the Sons of the Republic of Texas was called to order by our illustrious president, David Wells. In spite of his non-functioning computer, President Wells was very organized as he recognized Chaplain Virgil Ellis for the invocation.

First Vice President Jerry Splencerled us in the Pledge to each of the American and the Texas Flags. This was followed by the Ancestor Roll Call, which seemed to center around Nacogdoches, the oldest town in Texas, and Natchitoches, its sister city. It was recognized that our ancestors are heroes to more than Texas aficionados as exhibited by “Deaf” Smith, hero to the Hard of Hearing community.

As is true to form, Don Goodman, the Treasurer, mentioned the coffee cup and CD supply as the Treasurer’s report was presented and was voted to be accepted by the majority. The minutes of the last meeting, December 5, 2009, were also voted upon and passed.

General announcements were made as Roger Tate collected names for a Raffle for the Hat for some very nice pictures brought by our speaker, Ms. Kokel, and were as follows:

1. Ft. Worth DRT Chapter Luncheon: Feb 27^th at Ridglea Country Club for a program “What, No Chili?” with speaker Rosemary Rumbly (apparently not to miss)

2. Stockyards celebration with the Cowtown Opry and many re-enactors using cannons, muskets and many other activities March 6^th

3. The next meeting of the Ephraim Daggett Chapter will be April 3^rd

4. SRT National Convention will be April 9-11^th in Tyler as Vaughn Oliver turns the office of the National President over to Sam Clark of Houston. Many thanks were given to Vaughn in applause for his service at this point!!!

Winners of the raffle included Vaughn Oliver, Albert DeLeon, Richard Hite (cousin of Duane Blair) and Dukane Blair, who tried to win more than one (“Just joking,” said Roger Tate as he mock stocked the hat).

The program was introduced by Roger Tate in grand style as our speaker, Ms. Gayla Brooks Kokel, took us through a history culminating with “The Frontier Preacher Helped Shape Texas without Knowing It.” Ms. Kokel first suggested strongly that it is most important to research both sides of your family, as it is much easier now with internet access. Secondly, she encouraged all to write your own story and the stories of all those in your family that you know to be true, so as not to be lost. She made a plug for the Fort Worth Genealogy Society for all to visit, and also for one to use the pedigree charts to keep your tree in order and easy to see overall.

The program started with C.C. Slaughter, a famous cattleman and family ancestor to Roger Tate. Slaughter moved to Wise County eventually from Nacogdoches. He was the son of George Webb Slaughter, who played a large part in the early history of Texas. He was an assistant to Sam Houston, as they came from Natchitoches across the Sabine River to Nacogdoches by carrying his library. He was involved in many of the skirmishes and the eventual San Jacinto Victory.

Settling near Nacogdoches in the cattle business, moving to the Trinity River to the west and finally to Wise County, he became very successful cattleman, even driving cattle to Kansas. He purchased the champion bull one year for $5,000 and gained much notoriety. In 1843, he attended a Baptist Revival, and was converted to a Baptist. As a former Methodist, as he was moved by the preacher at the revival, who was the Rev. Peter Eldridge. This change for G. W. Slaughter was the impetus for him to start 63 new churches in Texas, Louisiana and Kansas. He was dubbed “Cattleman of the Pulpit,” and even practiced “saddle bag medicine” throughout his travels. G. W. lived in Dallas for some time, and his favorite charity was the Baylor Hospital, as he donated the land next to his house and many dollars over the years.

Rev. Eldridge preached all over Texas and settled in Burnett County. He eventually gave issue to 17 children and quite a legacy spreading the word of God. A direct ancestral connection to Rev. Eldridge was then revealed by Ms. Kokel as she finished her presentation.

A benediction was offered by Virgil Ellis and the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Chistopher K. Hull, DO (Hat Doc)