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Alexander Francis Gaston

Birth
New Bern, Craven County, North Carolina, USA
Death
1848 (aged 40–41)
Burial
Burial Details Unknown Add to Map
Memorial ID
View Source
burial place, date of death and place of death documented by any sources anyone has found?

Wives and Children from ancestry.com and newspaper sources below
Wife 1. Eliza W Jones m 1831 d 1837— children Hugh J (Jones or Joseph) Gaston d Oct 1862, married to Ann Adams -- William F Gaston , Lieut William Francis 1834-18582.
Wife 2. Sarah Lauretta Murphy m 1839 1800-1868
Wife 3. Eliza W Gaston 1841

His youth: "Meanwhile there was also a growth in the family. The first child, a son, was born to the couple January 19, 1807. and named Alexander. A daughter, Susan, was born June 4, 1808, and Hannah arrived March 18, 1811. " page 409
"At the time (January 6, 1819) Alexander was twelve, Susan eleven, Hannah eight, Eliza Ann not yet two, and Catherine but a baby of two weeks. ""For some time Gaston had his son, Alexander, running his plantation at Bryce's Creek. ""In April 1837, another grief was thrust upon the family, as Eliza, the wife of Alexander , mother of their two young boys William and Hugh, passed away at the age of twenty nine. Two years later, Alexander remarried, his bride this time was Sarah Murphy, who completely won the old judge's heart.
Source is " The Domestic Life of William Gaston, Catholic Jurist by J Herman Schauinger, January 1945, Reprinted from The Catholic Historical Review, North Carolina,

First Marriage: Name Alexander F. Gaston, Spouse Eliza Jones
Marriage Date 14 Mar 1831
Marriage County Craven, Marriage State NC
Source County Court Records at New Bern, NC & Family Hist
Bondsman: James G Rowe, Witness: J G Stanly

Recollections of NewBern Fifty Years ago Alexander F Gaston married Eliza, a highly education , beautiful and accomplished young lady, daughter of Dr Hugh Jones. After marriage the lovers were settled on a rich plantation remote from city influences. The young wife became an admirable manager, sold the crops, laid in supplies, and by water-craft visited Newborn on business whenever necessary. After the death of his first wife, he removed to Burke county, in the mountains, where he formed a second marriage.
source: The Newbernian (New Bern, North Carolina)13 Oct 1877, Sat, Page 3

Sons: source: Fayetteville Weekly Observer (Fayetteville, NC) 01 Dec 1862, Mon, Page 2
Death of Hugh Jones Gaston We record with much regret the death of Hugh Jones Gaston, Adjutant of the 48th NC Troops. He was wounded in the battle of Sharpsburg, in his shoulder and face, and died at a farm house near that place about the second week in October last. Adjutant Gaston was the youngest son of Alexander Gaston, Esq, who was the only son of the Hon William Gaston. His only brother, William Gaston, was killed by the Indians, near Fort Walla Walla, some four or five years since, in his first engagement and Hugh received his death wound in his first engagement at Sharpsburg. Hugh Jones Gaston was the last male of thence. Adjutant Gaston was physically except from military duty, but at the beginning of hostilities he volunteered as a private in an artillery company at Memphis and remained there until his native State was threatened, when he returned and offered his services to her. He was a young gentleman of fine education, modest, intelligent, and brave. His death adds another to the long catalogue of our bravest and best young men, who have been cut off by t his war. Raleigh Standard Alexander Gaston bears the name of his grandfather, Dr Alexander Gaston, victim of the Tories. He never approached his father in ability, and was more fold of field sports, in fact early in life all kind of sport, than business of any kind. His first wife was a daughter of Dr Hugh Jones,. Mrs Gaston was a lady of extraordinary business capacity …. and two sons. William was killed in his firs skirmish with the Indians , In Oregon just before the war. At the time he was in Col Stephens' command. Hugh Jones, his second son, had a short arm and was except from service. Yet he volunteered in the late war, and was Adjutant of the Forty eight N C .. He was possessed with the belief that he would be killed. in his first battle, and it turned out to be true. Being mortally wounded at Sharpsburg, his first fight, he died a week afterwards. Susan, Alexander Gaston's daughter, married Mr Bayliff and lived in Cuba. Her husband died, and she is now living in Boston. Some of our citizens can yet remember what a daring and graceful horsewoman she was when a young lady visiting Newborn some years ago. The Daily Journal (New Bern, NC, 24 Sep 1882, Sun, Page 1The Gastonia Gazette (Gastonia, NC), 21 May 1949, Sat, Page 8
Many Gaton families appear as minor characters in the story, although the main characters are entirely fictitious . It is not generally known that the famous old "Ingleside" built by the Forneys was the residence of Alexander F Gaston after the Forneys moved to Alabama. Alexander F Gaston was a son of Judge William Gaston of New Bern, for whom this city and county are named. Alexander Gaston was an educated gentleman who had attended the Catholic schools of his father's faith and wrote charming poetry. He lived at "Ingleside" only a few years, however, as his wife died shortly after he moved to this locality. Eliza Gaston is buried at Unity churchyard with a Latin epitaph on her tombstone. Chalmers G Davidson is professor of history and director of the library at David College. novel is "Cloud over Catawba"
.The Daily Journal (New Bern, NC), 27 Aug 1882, Sun, Page 1
Judge Gaston's son - he had but one, Alexander when at school was thought by some would in after life eclipse in intellect his father. The "Cat Hunt" written by Alexander Gaston , when he was quite young, for a Northern sporting magazine, was an admirable picture of the chase, and it was then believed he would gain an enviable reputation at least in literature.

Possible Match: 1840 US Census
Name: Alex F Gaston, [Alexander F Gaston]
Home in 1840 (City, County, State): Morganton, Burke, North Carolina
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 30 thru 39: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19: 1
Slaves - Males - Under 10: 4
Slaves - Males - 10 thru 23: 5
Slaves - Males - 24 thru 35: 4
Slaves - Males - 55 thru 99: 1
Slaves - Females - Under 10: 10
Slaves - Females - 10 thru 23: 7
Persons Employed in Agriculture: 14
Persons Employed in Manufacture and Trade: 2
Persons Employed in Learned Professional Engineers: 1
Free White Persons - Under 20: 2
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 1
Total Free White Persons: 3
Total Slaves: 31
Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves: 34

The poem, first stanza here, was written in honor of our volunteers in the war with Mexico -
THE VOLUNTEERS ( by Alexander Gaston)
They are gathering, they are gathering
For the cabin and the hall,
The rifle leaves its bracket,
And the steed must quit its stall.
The country sends its thousands
And the city pours its throng,
To resent their Country's insult,
To avenge their Country's wrong…….
burial place, date of death and place of death documented by any sources anyone has found?

Wives and Children from ancestry.com and newspaper sources below
Wife 1. Eliza W Jones m 1831 d 1837— children Hugh J (Jones or Joseph) Gaston d Oct 1862, married to Ann Adams -- William F Gaston , Lieut William Francis 1834-18582.
Wife 2. Sarah Lauretta Murphy m 1839 1800-1868
Wife 3. Eliza W Gaston 1841

His youth: "Meanwhile there was also a growth in the family. The first child, a son, was born to the couple January 19, 1807. and named Alexander. A daughter, Susan, was born June 4, 1808, and Hannah arrived March 18, 1811. " page 409
"At the time (January 6, 1819) Alexander was twelve, Susan eleven, Hannah eight, Eliza Ann not yet two, and Catherine but a baby of two weeks. ""For some time Gaston had his son, Alexander, running his plantation at Bryce's Creek. ""In April 1837, another grief was thrust upon the family, as Eliza, the wife of Alexander , mother of their two young boys William and Hugh, passed away at the age of twenty nine. Two years later, Alexander remarried, his bride this time was Sarah Murphy, who completely won the old judge's heart.
Source is " The Domestic Life of William Gaston, Catholic Jurist by J Herman Schauinger, January 1945, Reprinted from The Catholic Historical Review, North Carolina,

First Marriage: Name Alexander F. Gaston, Spouse Eliza Jones
Marriage Date 14 Mar 1831
Marriage County Craven, Marriage State NC
Source County Court Records at New Bern, NC & Family Hist
Bondsman: James G Rowe, Witness: J G Stanly

Recollections of NewBern Fifty Years ago Alexander F Gaston married Eliza, a highly education , beautiful and accomplished young lady, daughter of Dr Hugh Jones. After marriage the lovers were settled on a rich plantation remote from city influences. The young wife became an admirable manager, sold the crops, laid in supplies, and by water-craft visited Newborn on business whenever necessary. After the death of his first wife, he removed to Burke county, in the mountains, where he formed a second marriage.
source: The Newbernian (New Bern, North Carolina)13 Oct 1877, Sat, Page 3

Sons: source: Fayetteville Weekly Observer (Fayetteville, NC) 01 Dec 1862, Mon, Page 2
Death of Hugh Jones Gaston We record with much regret the death of Hugh Jones Gaston, Adjutant of the 48th NC Troops. He was wounded in the battle of Sharpsburg, in his shoulder and face, and died at a farm house near that place about the second week in October last. Adjutant Gaston was the youngest son of Alexander Gaston, Esq, who was the only son of the Hon William Gaston. His only brother, William Gaston, was killed by the Indians, near Fort Walla Walla, some four or five years since, in his first engagement and Hugh received his death wound in his first engagement at Sharpsburg. Hugh Jones Gaston was the last male of thence. Adjutant Gaston was physically except from military duty, but at the beginning of hostilities he volunteered as a private in an artillery company at Memphis and remained there until his native State was threatened, when he returned and offered his services to her. He was a young gentleman of fine education, modest, intelligent, and brave. His death adds another to the long catalogue of our bravest and best young men, who have been cut off by t his war. Raleigh Standard Alexander Gaston bears the name of his grandfather, Dr Alexander Gaston, victim of the Tories. He never approached his father in ability, and was more fold of field sports, in fact early in life all kind of sport, than business of any kind. His first wife was a daughter of Dr Hugh Jones,. Mrs Gaston was a lady of extraordinary business capacity …. and two sons. William was killed in his firs skirmish with the Indians , In Oregon just before the war. At the time he was in Col Stephens' command. Hugh Jones, his second son, had a short arm and was except from service. Yet he volunteered in the late war, and was Adjutant of the Forty eight N C .. He was possessed with the belief that he would be killed. in his first battle, and it turned out to be true. Being mortally wounded at Sharpsburg, his first fight, he died a week afterwards. Susan, Alexander Gaston's daughter, married Mr Bayliff and lived in Cuba. Her husband died, and she is now living in Boston. Some of our citizens can yet remember what a daring and graceful horsewoman she was when a young lady visiting Newborn some years ago. The Daily Journal (New Bern, NC, 24 Sep 1882, Sun, Page 1The Gastonia Gazette (Gastonia, NC), 21 May 1949, Sat, Page 8
Many Gaton families appear as minor characters in the story, although the main characters are entirely fictitious . It is not generally known that the famous old "Ingleside" built by the Forneys was the residence of Alexander F Gaston after the Forneys moved to Alabama. Alexander F Gaston was a son of Judge William Gaston of New Bern, for whom this city and county are named. Alexander Gaston was an educated gentleman who had attended the Catholic schools of his father's faith and wrote charming poetry. He lived at "Ingleside" only a few years, however, as his wife died shortly after he moved to this locality. Eliza Gaston is buried at Unity churchyard with a Latin epitaph on her tombstone. Chalmers G Davidson is professor of history and director of the library at David College. novel is "Cloud over Catawba"
.The Daily Journal (New Bern, NC), 27 Aug 1882, Sun, Page 1
Judge Gaston's son - he had but one, Alexander when at school was thought by some would in after life eclipse in intellect his father. The "Cat Hunt" written by Alexander Gaston , when he was quite young, for a Northern sporting magazine, was an admirable picture of the chase, and it was then believed he would gain an enviable reputation at least in literature.

Possible Match: 1840 US Census
Name: Alex F Gaston, [Alexander F Gaston]
Home in 1840 (City, County, State): Morganton, Burke, North Carolina
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 30 thru 39: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19: 1
Slaves - Males - Under 10: 4
Slaves - Males - 10 thru 23: 5
Slaves - Males - 24 thru 35: 4
Slaves - Males - 55 thru 99: 1
Slaves - Females - Under 10: 10
Slaves - Females - 10 thru 23: 7
Persons Employed in Agriculture: 14
Persons Employed in Manufacture and Trade: 2
Persons Employed in Learned Professional Engineers: 1
Free White Persons - Under 20: 2
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 1
Total Free White Persons: 3
Total Slaves: 31
Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves: 34

The poem, first stanza here, was written in honor of our volunteers in the war with Mexico -
THE VOLUNTEERS ( by Alexander Gaston)
They are gathering, they are gathering
For the cabin and the hall,
The rifle leaves its bracket,
And the steed must quit its stall.
The country sends its thousands
And the city pours its throng,
To resent their Country's insult,
To avenge their Country's wrong…….


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