Mary Jane Hester Roan

Mary Jane Hester Roan

• Father: Willis I. Roan b. circa 1791, d. 29 January 1855
• Mother: Margaret Peteet b. 2 April 1802, d. 4 April 1854

• Mary Jane Hester Roan was born on 19 May 1825 in Sumter County, Alabama.
• She married Harvey Brigance, son of Charles Newton Brigance and M. Frances Dyer, say 1846.
• Harvey Brigance and Mary Jane Hester Roan appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1850 in Grimes County, Texas. Other members of the household included Margaret Frances Brigance and Charles Willis Brigance.
• Harvey Brigance and Mary Jane Hester Roan appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1860 in Anderson, Grimes County, Texas. Other members of the household included Margaret Frances Brigance, Charles Willis Brigance, Martha Hester Brigance, Mary Elizabeth Brigance, Virginia Clementine Brigance, Myra Ann Brigance and Charles Newton Brigance.
• Harvey Brigance and Mary Jane Hester Roan appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1870 in Anderson, Grimes County, Texas. Other members of the household included Margaret Frances Brigance, Martha Hester Brigance, Mary Elizabeth Brigance, Virginia Clementine Brigance, Myra Ann Brigance, Harvey Ivey Brigance and Reuben Bennett Brigance.
• Mary Jane Hester Roan became a widow at the 24 July 1886 death of her husband Harvey Brigance.
• Mary Jane Hester Roan died on 9 January 1907 at age 81 in Roans Prairie, Grimes County, Texas.
• She was interred at Old Oakland Cemetery, Roans Prairie, Grimes County, Texas.
• The following appeared in the Navasota Examiner: Mrs. Mary Roan Brigance passed into a higher life on the ninth of January, 1907. She was born May 19, 1825, in Sumpter County, Ala., thus rounding out a life of eighty-one years and seven months. On April 28, 1846, she was married to Mr. Harvey Brigance. When the hour of transition came to her she was living on her old homestead, near Roan's Prairie, Grimes County, where she had lived almost her entire married life; where she had reared her eight children and buried her husband many years ago. Her youngest daughter, Mrs. Ruby Thompson, died a few years ago and, with that exception, all her children survive her. For many years she was left along with the management of her farm, filling the place of both mother and father to her children who were still with her.
       The passing from earth's life of such a woman as Mrs. Mary Roan Brigance deserves more than the slight notice usually given such an event in the obituary column. Her life lengthened out into eighty-one years and seven months; was filled with so much and varied earth's experience that it stands out as a monument of the high achievement possible for a woman of true and noble aims, and points the way for those she has left behind to follow -- giving them encouragement under difficulties -- showing her faith and trust in the power of God, to fight the battles of her life bravely even to the end of her long and useful life.
       Mrs. Brigance was a progressive woman, ready to be benefited by the example and advice of those who were leading out into new paths and making new discoveries. She did not oppose new ideas, but thoughtfully considered them and what her mind accepted as good she followed. Her mental faculties retained much of their vigor and her memory of past events was accurate and fine. She was active in body for one of her age and mentally kept up an interest in everything around her up to the last. She held a broad charity that embraced everyone and judged all leniently. She was eminently a motherly woman and her heart went out to the poor, friendless and forsaken ones who came within her notice. For a long period of her life she was a consistent member of the Baptist church and responded cheerfully to her duties as a member, because her heart was in the work for the Master's sake.
       She was one of the oldest settlers in her part of the county. In 1842 her father, Maj. Willis Roan located his home in Grimes County on the plat of ground now known as Roan's Prairie, where he lived for many years until death came.
       Mrs. Brigance was a most popular young lady in the early days of the county. Her life has been marked by its usefulness and unselfish service to those who were near and dear to her heart. And all who knew her loved and respected her. Throughout her whole life she was a noble, self-sacrificing mother; a true loving wife, a kind and thoughtful neighbor and friend.
       She leaves behind her five daughters and two sons to mourn her departure from earth: Mrs. Ed Easley, Mrs. Jennie Ackerman, Mrs. Bettie Cole, Misses Annie and Mittie Brigance and two sons, Charles and Harvey Brigance.
       . . . Her friend of the olden time, L. S. N. -- Anderson, Texas, March 25, '07.

• Last Edited: 4 Feb 2014