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Josiah S. Lam and Elizabeth Blackwell
 Josiah S. Lam was born 24 December 1827 at Princeton, Jackson County, Alabama
the oldest child of Alva Anderson Lam/b and Jane Graham. In 1845 he was married to Sarah
Elizabeth Blackwell, daughter of Peter Blackwell and Lydia Padgett. Soon after 1850 he
came to Coryell County with his wife and two young children, Thomas J. and Lydia J, to
farm and freight with his younger brother, John Isbell. Sarah Elizabeth had three brothers
who lived in Coryell County, Joel, Amos and Benjamin F. Blackwell,
Tragedy came to this young family shortly after they arrived. Josiah was plowing and Sarah
brought him fresh water to drink, as was her custom. They were horrified to see that their
house was in flames. Josiah so burnt his hands in trying to rescue the babies that they
were permanently scarred and drawn. The babies' heads had been crushed before the house
was set fire On hearing of another baby being murdered Josiah and Sarah went to Greene
County, Missouri. where Sarah's oldest brolher Sylvester lived Then Josiah set lip a store
on Turkey Creek near present Jopiin arid ran a freight line from the lead diggings.
In the early 1860s, Josiah and Sarah came back to Coryell County with two daughters.
Margaretta and Mary Elizabeth. In Josiah's day-book was this entry: B.F. Blackwell, post
off Belton, Bell County Coryell County, June 10. 1861 paid in full 300 + lbs of pork, 45
lbs sault and gun tubes.
During the Civil War. Josiah served as a private in the Company for the 2nd Frontier
District, Coryell County. He enlisted Jan 30, 1864 at Gatesville His commanding officer
was Captain Gid Graham who was his uncle
Three children were born in Coryell County, Peter Sylvester In 1861; Sarah Rebecca in
1863; and Alva Anderson in 1865. Sarah Elizabeth was a skilled doctor and midwife She
never refused to care for the sick. It is remembered that she had so weakened that she
died shortly after Alva was born
In 1867 Josiah sold a tract of 200 acres on the waters of Flint Creek to E. D. Seeton In
his day-book there are records of cattle bought and sold with their brands drawn Some of
the transactions are written In Spanish.
After the death of Sarah, Josiah went to Arkansas and married a Mrs. Eliza Thomas They
came back to Texas and settled In Comanche County They lost a number of babies and Josiah
made his last move: to Missouri, Ozark County by the Twin Springs of the north fork of
White River. He died In 1898 and Is buried In a small cemetery on his own land. His son
Alva and his second wife, Eliza, are buried beside him.
There is no record of where Josiah's wife, Sarah Elizabeth, or their two babies are buried
in Coryell County.
Two statements have been made recently about Josiah that will not be found in documents.
His grandson. Everett Collins, said that his Grandpa Lam kept the Mosaic laws until the
day he died. He was really strict in his religion. Also, he remembered the time that he
halted the bleeding on his father (Sherman Collins).
-- Mary D. Robinson, granddaughter of Mary Elizabeth Lam-Paine
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