Travis Johns
by Barbara Jefferson-BonnerFamily Historian, 1998
Travis Johns was born in the State of Virginia in 1813. From his birth to 1870, there is nothing in writing, nor is there any other mention of Travis Johns. In 1854 and 1860, before African Americans were recorded on county census in 1870, Travis had two children born in Texas. There is no information on the mother of these two children, other than that she was born in Virginia.
In 1870, Travis was 57 years old, with a 24-year old child bride. Sally, his bride, was born in 1848, in South Carolina. The marriage took place in Texas. No previous plantation owner name or parents have been recorded for Sally. Sally bore three healthy sons for Travis. Sometime after the birth of the third son, it is believed that Travis died, because there is no other mention of him.
In 1900, Sally was a 52-year old widow of the late Jim Powell, Sr. The couple had five children. Four of these children were still living at home.
Grandpa Travis and Grandma Sally were my ascending grandparents through my mother.