To the left is a photo of the tombstone of Sarah Jane Eastep, who is buried in the Crandall Cemetery. No one can pass by this gray granite tombstone without noticing the distinctive words "A Confederate Courier", which are inscribed upon it. After one sees the tombstone it is almost impossible not to stop to visit Sarah Eastep for a moment to contemplate exactly what the unusual phrase on her tombstone could possibly mean. It has drawn the attention of hundreds of visitors, many of whom contact local historians & genealogists for info about the grave. Was Sarah Jane really a Confederate Courier? For whom did she carry dispatches? Was her life ever in danger? All questions for which we have no answers. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
What We Do KnowSARAH JANE BILLINGS CROUSE ESTEPSarah Estep / Eastep was born Sarah Jane "Sally " Billings on 13 Aug 1844 in NC, daughter of Charles and Lydia Billings. She had the following siblings: James b. 1826, Daniel b. 1828, Granville b. 1833, Samuel L b. 1834, Nancy b. 1835, Wesley b. 1837, and Betty b. 1845. Her parents lived in Ashe Co, NC in 1840 and on the 1850 Census are enumerated in Grayson Co VA in Household # 982. 1850 Census Grayson Co VA Household # 982
On the 1860 Grayson Co VA Census
MARRIAGES OF SARAH JANEOn 9 Jan 1861 Sarah married Soloman Crouse, born 1845 - son of Jacob A. Crouse and Nancy Fender. He was killed in battle during the Civil War in May 1864 while serving the Confederate States Army in Co F, 22nd NC Infantry. After his death Solomon's belongings were returned to Sarah by another soldier of the same company as Solomon - Jacob W "Jake" Estep. On 14 Jan 1866 in Allegheny Co NC Sarah Jane married Jake Estep. He was born 11 Sep 1841 in Ashe Co., NC to Berry G. ESTEP (6 Oct 1820-10 Jan 1911) and Louisa EDWARDS (1 Apr 1823 - 20 Jul 1893). They are buried Antioch Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, Alleghany Co., NC. To Jacob & Sarah were born six children:
**NOTE: On the 1900 Census Sarah Jane stated she had given birth to 6 children, all of whom were living at that time. On the 1870 Hardin Co IA Census, Jacob and Sarah are living with her sister, Nancy Caroline and husband Henly Chapman Pool, and their children. 1870 Hardin Co IA Census - Household #192/187
It appears from the births of children in both the Estep and Pool families that they were all in Indiana around the year 1867 and were in Iowa by 1868. Jacob W. Estep died 7 May 1877 in Texas. It is not known where he is buried. The 1880 Dallas Co TX census, in District 66, lists Sarah J. Estep as a Widow living with her children. Living near her were her sisiter Nancy & brother-in-law H C Pool. 1880 Dallas Co TX census
On the 1900 Kaufman County Census Sarah and daughter Myrtie are living with William and Etta Yant. March 5, 1907 Sarah Jane filed a Confederate Pension Application as the widow of Jacob W. Eastep. At the time she listed her age as 62 and stated she had been a resident of Kaufman Co. for 18 years. She stated that she married J. W. EASTEP on 14 Jan 1866 in Alleghany Co NC. At the time she listed her property as 2 cows and 1 yearling, all worth $30, and swore she was unable to support herself, listing her occupation as Carpet Weaving. On her application she stated that Jacob served throughout the war and his relatives H. D. EASTEP and Hiram S. EDWARDS, both of Alleghany Co NC, filed affidavits on 26 Mar 1907 stating that they both knew Jacob Eastep and that he served in Co. F 22nd Regiment NC Volunteers, enlisting 27 May 1861 and discharged as a Corporal in 31 Oct 1864. Sarah's pension application was approved on 31 Mar 1908. In 1910 Sarah was living in Kaufman County with her daughter Alice Curlee on the old Forney-Porter's Bluff Road. Sarah has not been located on the 1920 census. In 1930 Sarah was living with daughter Louetta Yant and family in Wise Co TX. She died 3 Oct 1939 in Wise Co TX and was brought back to Crandall in Kaufman County to be buried next to her children John & Mirtie. The tombstone on Sarah's grave was probably made and placed there in the late 1940's or early 1950's. No one knows who had it made and placed on her grave. MISCELLANEOUS RECORDS ON SARAH'S CHILDRENJohn and Flora Estep Curtis L and 1st wife, Sarah Jake & Alice Curlee William and Lou Etta YANT Ephraim & Laura Lyons INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY Nova Lemons, Howard Kelley, Curtis Yant and some info from the files of Marie Reasonover Here is an image of an actual Obituary of Sarah Jane Eastep 
Who placed to stone on Sarah's grave? Are there any Descendants of Sarah who have information on her life? Who can answer the many questions about Sarah's possible Confederate service? Is Sarah Jane Eastep the ONLY Woman Confederate Soldier buried in Kaufman County? If you are related to Sarah Jane Eastep, or more particularly, if you know about Sarah Jane's Confederate Service (or the service record of any other woman who served in the Civil War & is buried in Kaufman County) the Kaufman County Historical Commission would like to hear from you. Please contact Kathey Kelley Hunt at e-mail: kkhunt@mycvc.net
More information may be found on Sarah Eastep at http://www.homestead.com/thomasestep/SA621.html |
