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COLVIN-BROOKS
Seven Colvin brothers came from Devonshire, England in the 1750's
and settled in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia. The eldest brother. John, married Hannah
Price and took a land grant in Craven District, South Carolina in 1774. Their son, John,
married Jemima Hardwick and moved to Green County, Alabama; their son, John, married
Bluett Jackson and lived on a plantation in Jackson Parish, Louisiana; their son, William
Franklin, married Elizabeth Jane Harroll and lived in Anderson County, Texas. He was a
Baptist preacher and schoolteacher; their son. Laroy Sunderlin, married Julia Ann Brooks
and in 1884 they moved their family from Grapeland, Houston County, Texas to Tow Valley,
Llano County. They lived there two years, then moved to Springhill community in Coryell
County. They had 8 children: John Fletcher, twins died at birth, Thomas Bluitt, Bessie
Penina, James Monroe, Elizabeth Jane and William Franklin
On 17 Mar 1887 Julia was helping her husband clean out a well and fell in the well and
died in his arms. When she left the house that morning she had admonished her ten year old
son, Fletcher, to take care of her infant son, Bill. She was buried in Springhill
Cemetery, unmarked.
Laroy married Josephine Tipton and they had 2 children: Bertha Ann and Benjamin Henry. She
died in 1890 and was buried in Tipton Cemetery which was later moved to Restland Cemetery.
Laroy then married Mary Elizabeth (Molly) Raines Keele and lived at Boaz where he farmed,
had a general mercantile store, and was postmaster from 1902-1905.
His brother, Jim, who was living with them died of meningitis 9 Nov 1892 The little son,
Bill, also had meningitis, recovered, but had some brain damage. There were no special
schools so he didn't go to school.
As soon as Fletcher married in 1897 he gave Bill a home. When their father moved to Ellis
County in 1913, Bill wanted to move with them, but he did not stay long. By that time
Laroy and Molly had 9 children: Roy Earl, Samuel Melvin. Lettie Mae, Jeff Sutherland,
Rebel Brown, Elvie Emmaline. Vaida Catherine, Mildred Edith and Florence Jewel.
One cold Sunday morning in January 1914 Fletcher and his son, Barney, found Bill in a
little tent over on Browns Creek. It was evident that he needed his own home, so they look
him back to their house and the next day got the lumber to build a cabin for Bill. It was
rustic and the setting picturesquely situated in a little glen on Browns Creek and he
loved his freedom. He understood the woods and animals, but not all people, for many took
advantage of him. Bill was quite content to hunt, fish and work when he was needed. He was
an excellent craftsman and could build anything he saw.
Bill died 11 Jan 1958 just three months after Fletcher's death. He was buried by his
uncle. Jim, in Restland Cemetery. Fletcher's last thoughts were of Bill for the day he
died he had sent his son. Barney, to see how Bill was doing. He had always remembered that
his mother had said, "Take care of Bill."
-- Wilma Earl Colvin Edwards, great-granddaughter of Laroy
Sunderlin Colvin
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