Thanksgiving in Leon Co.
by Norma Moore
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The first
Thanksgiving celebrated in Leon County was probably one of more thankfulness to
God than of feasting. Leon County became a county on March 18, 1846 by the
Texas Legislature it went through a transitional period of approvals and finally
was organized in July 1846. At this time it was mostly white males and few
women. Busy at the many tasks of official business and organization of
their newly founded Leon County. The main leaders were William McKay Ball, R. Baxter King, Zachary Taylor and William B. Middleton tending to the government qualifications that formed the 1,577 square miles. The families were busy at establishing their homeland, building cabins, farming, and harvesting before the winter months set in. They had very little time to plan a big Thanksgiving. William McKay Ball was well known as the Father of Leon County. He was the one who obtained the 100 votes the law required to sustain the enactment of Leon County. The people trusted him and had faith in his leadership. He stood strong in the heated battles and arguments for the people of Leon County. His love and devotion was respected and admired from the Texas Legislature and Leon County citizens. William McKay Ball was the one who named it Leon County, naming it after the Mexican lion (Leon is the Spanish word for Lion, the small animals that were numerous at this time, roaming our land). He also had a lot of influence in making Leona the first County seat. Soon, the courthouse of Leona was built and official business was a routine of life. The farmers and ranchers grew their corn, cotton and tended to their livestock. This paved the way for Leon County to be made up of rural neighborhoods. The business people were the primary town citizens and today it is still basically as it was started. The people worked and tended to their own business. They didn't worry about the way they dressed, as long as they were clean. Keeping up with what their neighbors had was the least of their cares. They were too busy in just trying to survive. They didn't care about fancy homes and fancy furnishings. As long as they were dry and comfortable, they were satisfied. Many of the settlers came by wagon train. They were relatives and friends. Most of the people who traveled together, especially the kin, lived on the same land and in the same house or adjoining house. Usually neighborly visits were when help was needed. William McKay Ball settled in Leona Mills. He was the only postmaster and kept in touch with all the Leon County residents through the mail and if needed, by visitation. If community meetings were necessary, they were called through him. He was very concerned about safety from the Indians so he sent a letter from Leona Mills (it is a historic heritage to W. G. Cooke) to the Texas Secretary of War in regards to the Indians. This helped to bring officials to our county, which helped later to join our Leon County men with the Texas Rangers. The first Thanksgiving of our Leon County people was like I said earlier, less on food and more on thankfulness of hearts. Also, with Thanksgiving being in November, money was scarce. They had used most of their funds for the necessary costs of establishing farming and ranching and basic food staples. They lived on the provisions they had and off the land with wildlife, wild berries and fruit, nuts and fish. They were surviving and their Thanksgiving consisted of wild turkeys, hogs, ducks and other fowl. The women used whatever they had to prepare this special meal. They all took the time to thank God for the blessings He had bestowed upon them. There is no record of a community affair on this Thanksgiving Day. By the next Thanksgiving, many more new families had come and claimed our Leon County as their new home. The Thanksgiving feasts were more bountiful and celebrated with more enthusiasm. There were community affairs held to celebrate this special occasion and each community had programs and plays at their churches and schools. These were some wonderful times. The complete neighborhood and some visitors attended. According to the Census in 1850, the population had grown considerably. The ones who had come in the early years were still here, which was 705 inhabitants. It had grown into 1,312 by 1850. Four hundred and eighteen of these people were born in Texas. By 1860, there were 4,155 pioneer families in our Leon County and by 1899, the International and Great Northern Railroads, with it influential milestone era of our Leon County, the population grew even at a faster pace. This was mostly due to with its official government and business leaders connection Leon County with the world. In the 1850's, 1860's, 1899, and the early 1900's Leon county remained a basic rural farming land, with dotted businesses within the township. Women made their own clothes. Some would go to a special seamstress or tailor shop for weddings or for other very special occasions. The only ones in the county for a long time were Mary Drescal of Navarro, R. Ferguson of Leona, and J. Brodie of Centerville made boots. People stayed to themselves except for church services on Sundays or for a revival and for school affairs. These church and school affairs for Thanksgiving holiday would consist of praising God, singing songs of thanksgiving and then having dinner on the outside premises or go to a church members house. The teachers and students would spend weeks preparing for this special occasion. Mothers would work long hours making costumes. In my years (Norma Moore), the 1940's and 1950's this was a joyous occasion. The auditorium would be filled with parents, grandparents, relatives and friends. What wonderful plays would be presented! Then on the special day, families, relatives and friends would gather at homes for a feast. The men provided the meat they had raised themselves or deer they had hunted. Women would cook and bake for days. In the later 1900's things began to change. Leon County is more populated than ever. We still have ancestors of the first pioneers that have remained. Our motto is that "Once you live in Leon County, no other place will do." |