Eastham Family Papers, 1858-1938
Arthur Eastham and his wife Sarah Ann Harris Eastham moved to Huntsville from Virginia in 1852. Arthur and Sarah Eastham soon acquired land for farming. Arthur established a general store in Huntsville. After the early death of their first two children, Arthur and Sarah had eight children: Ella, Luther Carroll, Harris Grant, Lee Beauregard, Eugenia, Elizabeth, Delha and Jackson Clarence. Arthur Eastham served as a sheriff from 1856-1858. He died in Huntsville in 1872. After his death, his wife and children moved back to Virginia. Byrd Eastham, Arthur’s brother, purchased his general store prior to his death. One of Arthur’s sons, Harris Eastham, moved back to Huntsville when he turned eighteen where he worked with his uncle in the store. He bought the store from Byrd’s widow after his death.
Harris married Florence Bradfield on November 16, 1898. They were both active in community affairs including the First Baptist Church, the Masonic Lodge and Harris even served as mayor at one time. Together they had four children: Florence Ellana, Harris Jr., Sarah Winfred and James Young. Harris and his brother Luther Carroll worked together to establish a second general merchandise store near the town square. Eastham Brothers store was in operation until 1907. Their mother moved back to Huntsville in 1884. She died in 1905 and was buried in the Oakwood Cemetery. Florence died in 1941 in Houston and buried in Huntsville. Harris died two years later in 1943 and was buried beside his wife in Oakwood Cemetery.
The Eastham Family Papers (1858 - 1938; 1 box) includes account books, deeds, claim statements and accounts of the family’s arrival in Texas. The account books are from the Eastham Brothers Wholesale and Retail store. The deed in this collection is dated 1892 and it grants 160 acres to J.H. Garrett in Walker County. The two manuscripts are by Ellana Eastham Ball and they chronicle accounts of the family’s arrival in Texas. They are entitled “From Virginia to Texas and back” and “Making a home in Texas 1853-1873.”
View a detailed finding aid of this collection at Sam Houston State University’s Finding Aids Online page and see just what materials are in the collection.
