Beyond our Elusive William Daniel

See obituary notices and letters. She, her parents, and her sister came to Texas from Mooringsport, La. to start a new life after they lost their husbands in the Civil War. Diademia is said in a letter from Minnie Lewis to Lenore Williams to have been 24 years old. Leonard Daniel is first found on the tax rolls for Limestone County later than that. However, when the Wm. G. Shanks estate was settled, she was in Panola Co., TX where Leonard Daniel gave her the money from the sale (civil suit file 913, file cabinets in back of the mezzanine level, Caddo Parish courthouse) in 1863. This would be the correct age. Minnie Lewis said that she heard that Diademia never married again because she believed that her husband would some day come back to her. Family tradition says that she always had a gold piece whenever there was a family crisis. She and her sister are said to have been heirs to their Grandfather Barrett's estate. Perhaps that was a source. Her account book indicates she may have loaned her money at 10% interest! I also found a record of her loaning her sister Catherine Jane Daniel Kerley and her husband money at 12% interest. According to family tradition, Kerley was a cousin who asked Diademia to marry him. She refused. (It is said that she always said that her husband would come back some day). Later he married her sister. My notes from Lenore Williams say that there was a 30-year age difference. In a letter from Minnie Lewis to Lenore Williams, Minnie Lewis said, "I also remember Aunt Dema what a beautiful- stately-dignified old lady she was. She was my darling grandmother's only sister and I've heard my mother say often that she felt more 'kin' to Cousin Betty than she did to any of her step-sisters and brothers or her half sisters and brothers."

James Daniel provided the following census information: 1870 Census Dist. 48, PO Eutaw, Limestone Co Texas. Diademia and her 2 daughters were living with her father Leonard Daniel. 1880 Census, Enum. Dist. 97, Mexia Limestone Co Texas, Diademia was living with her father Leonard Daniel. Her 2 daughters have left home, Frances now 22 and Elizabeth now 18. Leonard has a new wife, Mary E. and three daughters besides Diademia (Mattie, Ruth, and Ellen).

Diademia was a charter member of Shiloh Primitive Baptist Church when it was organized on the second Sunday in May, 1888 in the Shiloh Community, Limestone County, Texas. It later moved to Point Enterprise near Mexia, TX and changed its name to Point Enterprise Church. (Primitive Baptist Online, Copyright 2000-2001 Primitive Baptist Online, http://www.primitivebaptist.org/writers/newman5Fjs/history/regular.asp, accessed 9:11 AM, 23 Jul 2004)

THE FOLLOWING IS A COPY OF A LETTER SENT FROM DIADEMIA ELIZABETH SHANKS TO HER DAUGHTER ELIZABETH DANIEL
Mexia, Texas Tuesday Apr 7" 1891
Dear Bettie: your letter of March 31st came to hand yester-evening. I am truly sorry to hear of your troubles, it is hard to see those near and dear to us (by the ties of nature--this was inserted with a carrot above the line) suffer and die, yet there is consolation in knowing that little infants (are--inserted with a carrot above the line) at rest, and we should not forget that the Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord. He knows what is best for the little ones, and for us too, and to him we should look for strength to bear our trials and troubles while here in this world of sin and sorrow. I hope you are all improving, but it takes sometime to get over the measels and I am afraid you have fateagued and exposed yourself to much for your own good, having to be up so much at night, but I can only hope for the best. Ellen came home from school yester with fever the rest of us are up your grandpa is still mending slowly but I am very much afraid he will expose himself to much and relaps before spring opens and the weather becomes settled, I will close hoping to hear from you soon, love to all as ever your affectionate mother D. E. Shanks
Along the side of the last page another line is added for which there was no room on the bottom of the second page. It is as follows: I shall be uneasy till I hear from you again
It is difficult to distinguish between periods and commas on these pages. The pen seems to write both about the same.

THE FOLLOWING LETTER WAS WRITTEN FROM DIADEMIA SHANKS TO ELIZABETH DANIEL. IT IS UNDATED, ALTHOUGH THE DATE OF 1891 WAS WRITTEN LATER IN PENCIL AFTER THE REFERENCE TO HER GRANDFATHER'S AGE IN AN ATTEMPT TO DATE IT AT A LATER TIME
I was born Dec 28" 1838 (date circled) Frank was born Aug 7th 1858 (date circled) and you was born May 2nd 1861 (date circled) your grandpa was 73 years old in February last. Do you think you will come to see us this summer, it seems like all our kinfolk are leaving here. Stuckey is talking about moving to Grosebeck, as he will be at work there, for (inserted with a carrot above the line) sometime. Tell Lula she need not think hard of Ruth for not writing this time for I never thought to tell her, she has not been at home much since I got your letter she was gone Saturday and Sunday to church at Brewer beyondd (? this was overwritten and unclear) Cotton Gin. The school goes out next week and they are all busy geting ready for the examination I will close for this time hoping to hear from you soon. This leaves all well as common, love to all, as ever your affectionate mother D. E. Shanks

THE FOLLOWING NOTE IS UNDATED AND UNSIGNED BUT APPARENTLY WRITTEN BY DIADEMIA SHANKS
My Dear father was baptized by Eld M. Getes (?) (third Sunday--inserted with a carrot above the line) (word struck through) May 1838 into the fllowship of Friendship Church, Butler, co, Ala.

THE FOLLOWING IS AN UNSIGNED LETTER APPARENTLY WRITTEN BY DIADEMIA SHANKS. IT MAY NEVER HAVE BEEN MAILED. IT WAS IN AN ENVELOPE THAT WAS DATED AT AN EARLIER DATE THAN THE LETTER
Mexia Texas March 18"1889

Eld J. H. Purifoy,
Selma Ala My Dear and highly esteemed brother in the Lord; For sometime I have thought of writing to you again, but knowing that you receive so many letters, and better than I can write, that I fear I shall not interest you, and also a feeling of unworthiness on my part to adress you as my brother has keept me from it. It is with thankfulness to you for your kind, consoling, and comforting letter last summer that I write. How soothing and encouraging, it was to my downcast mind. If not deceived I think I have experienced some sweet seasons of enjoyment but it is when faith is in exorcise, that we are enabled to lay hold of the sweet and precious promises contained in God's holy word, and are made to rejoice, with joy unspeakable, and full of glory. But O how soon darkness of mind, doubts, fears, and temptations rise, that I fear I have no interest in a Savior's blood, and that I have only an empty profession, and often the thought occurs to my mind, perhaps the church would be better off without me. But feel to say in the language of Ruth entreat me not to leave thee, or return from following after thee; for whither thou goest I will go, and where thou lodgest, I will lodge, they people shall be my people, and thy God, my God, I love to meet with the brethren and sisters, and look forward to our days of meeting, when I can see and be with them. I do desire to praise the Lord for his tender mercies. But I am so corrupt and sinful, to will is present with me, but how to perform that which is good, I find not. I have thought if I could see my way more clearly I would not have so many doubts, and yet I know I shall never reach that state of perfection while here in the flesh, that I shall never dout at all. I meet with have (this word is inserted above markout) so many worldly cares to contend with, often when drawn off with the cares of this life I am made to cry out, O for a closer walk with God. And so it is while traveling through this vale of sorrow, sometimes cast down in darkness, almost ready to give up in despair, but when the dark and stormy clouds are driven away, a blessing of joy fills my soul, and I can say, bless the Lord O my soul, and all that is in me bless his holy name. How It is (these words inserted in pencil above the strike out) sweet, in his faithfulness to rest, whose love can never end. But now I am laboring under a depression of spirits, and feel to say, O my soul, why art thou cast down, is there any one like me. I feel sad and lonely. I get my bible and try to read but the words that once were so comforting to me, have no healing in them now. I am so prone to stray it seemes to me, I am going further away all the time, and the thought comes up, where are you drifting to now. Why do I have so many reasons like this, is it because of unbelief. I sometimes think that surely the Lord is not guiding my footsteps. When will the cloud be removed that I may sing redeeming grace, one thing I do know if I am saved it is by grace, and grace alone, for there is nothing I can do, nothing good in me, that is in my flesh. My dear brother, if I could feel as sure that I am a child of God, as I am that you are, I would have no more fears about it. Surely the everlasting arms is underneath you, I feel sure that the Lord is guiding your footsteps, and may he enable you to go forth declareing the word of Truth, as it is in Jesus, and speaking words of comfort to the little flock, whereever your lot may be cast. Pray for me a poor little doubting child, that I may again feel the goodness and mercy of the Lord. We have a little church with 8 members constituted since you were here, in Limestone Co five miles southeast of Mexia. Brother Bryant is our pastor and attends us faithfully. My father who has been in bad health for many years, has not been able to attend our monthly meetings half the time since you were here, though I think his general health is a little better at this time than it has been for the last 12 months. I have written more than I intended, and and fear I shall weary your patience, May the Lord bless you and your dear family. Remember us all at a throne of grace Your unworthy Sister in hope of eternal life

It is unknown where the following Obituary was printed. It was found in a scrap book belonging to Lottie Daniel Strong after her death.
SISTER DEMA SHANKS.
Sister Dema Shanks departed this life at her daughters in Waco December 22, 1915. After a week's suffering she was taken away from her loved ones and many friends. She was a member of the Primitive Baptist church for about 40 years, and was very attentive to her meetings, was loved by all who knew her. Her loved ones are left to grieve over their departed mother and friend. But she is better off than we who are left to weep and mourn. I have been personally acquainted with the dear sister 32 years. A better Old Baptist I never knew. I was at the funeral and tried in my weak way to talk at the grave. A large crowd of relatives and friends present. She lived many years near Mexia and had many friends there. She was laid to rest in Mexia cemetery. She was born in Buttler County, Alabama, December the 28, 1838, but spent the last 16 years in Waco, Texas, with her daughter, Mrs. Bettie Daniells. She joined New Hope church over 40 years ago. Was a member there for several years, then moved her membership to Point Enterprise church, then to Waco church where it was when she died. To us her loss is great, but to her it is eternal gain. I can say in the language of Jesus, don't weep for yourselves and your children, as her troubles are all over and ours are yet here with us. May God remember her children in mercy and prepare them to live with all the redeemed saints of the Lord is my prayer. T. J. Moore. Teague, Texas, R. 4.

The following is another obituary for Diademia Shanks.
MRS. DIADEMIA SHANKS, RESIDENT TEXAS 50 YEARS, DIED THIS AFTERNOON
Mrs. D. E. Shanks, aged 77, died this afternoon at 1:30 at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Bettie Daniel, 1801 Summer street. Funeral arrangements have not yet been completed. Mrs. Shanks had been confined to her room only since last Wednesday. Born in Butler county, Alabama, Mrs. Shanks had been a resident of Texas for the past fifty years. She belonged to the Primitive Baptist church and was a zealous and active church worker, so long as her health permitted. Mrs. Shanks was very highly esteemed and beloved by many friends and acquaintances here. Besides the daughter in Waco, Mrs. Shanks has a sister, Mrs. J. C. Curley, who lives at Chilicothie. These have the sympathy of many in their great bereavement.

Her death certificate says that she died of obstructed gall ducts. It states that there had been a partial obstruction perhaps for years. Her residence at the time was 1801 Summers St., Waco, Texas, and that was where she died. Her place of birth was Ala., and her father was Leonard Daniel wo was born in Ala. Her mother's maiden anme is shown as simply Barrett, born in Alabama.

The grave is found in the family plot in Mexia Cemetery, Mexia, Texas. The following marker was a large monument. It had an open gate at the top. On the top of the marker there was something like a ruffled cloth, cape, or some such thing draping down the stone. The stone has the following inscription: Mrs. D. E. Shanks/Dec. 28, 1838/Dec. 22, 1915. The back has the following inscription: Mother.

She is found in the following Waco City Directories (there may be more as well):
1902-03 Shanks, Demia (listed as widow of W. D.) residing on the northwest corner of Summers and Andrews, College Hts. (Daughter Elizabeth lives with her)
1904-05 Shanks, Demia E. (Widow W. D.), r. nw corner Summers, Andrews, College Hts. (Her daughter Elizabeth, and granddaughter Dollie are both listed at this address)
1906-07 Shanks, Demia E. (widow W. D.), resides nw Corner Summers, N. 18th N. Waco (She is not living with Elizabeth)
1907-08 Shanks, Didemia (listed as widow of William), residing 1401 Summers Ave., N. Waco (same address as her daughter Elizabeth Daniel)

(Medical):Mrs. Dr. Rosa Gates was the physician mentioned on the death certificate. She said that she had attended the deceased from Dec. 14, 1915 to Dec. 22, 1915. She died at 1:38 PM.