Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2026 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== USGenNet Data Repository Notice: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ============================================================================= Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. ============================================================================= Texas Coastal Pioneers of Chambers County As Compliled in 1952 by Varuna Hartmann Lawrence Royal Pub. Co., Dallas, TX The Gulf Coast Pioneers of Texas Authentic Reports Gathered from Many Reliable Sources. (Many things cannot be verified as the old Record Book burned in the fire that destroyed the old Court House at Wallisville, then County seat of Chambers county 1875 or '76) Have talked with many of those who had lived in these bygone days, and in whose word there was no question, concerning the things given here. Varua Hartmann (Mrs. A. B.) Lawrence ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [p. 85-87] A HOUSE MOVING When BAPTISTE DUGAT did not like the location of his house down in the woods, he decided to have it moved out on the prairie about a mile distant. He called a man that did such things, who first cut down some large trees, then made large blocks of the trunks for the wheels, put holes through the center of the large round blocks to admit of large strong timbers to connect the wheels and cross pieces that were to support the weight of the house. It took some time and BAPTISTE had a water well put down at the desired location. When all was ready the man (he was called a carpenter, his name was ATWELL) dug beside the house and put those big "Wheels" on each side and put the timbers under the house through the holes in the wheels and pegged the timbers fast through the holes made near the end of the timbers. Thus the house rested on the timbers and only needed power to move it from its site. This power was provided by oxen, that were supplied by the settlers far and wide. BAPTISTE sent out an invitation to all the neighbors to come to a House Hauling and Dance, and to bring or send their oxen! Of course every one had one or more yoke of oxen, and all were willing to help a neighbor to move, and certainly all wanted to attend a big party. From every settlement the families came, in their wagons and on horseback. All of the oxen for eight to ten miles away, were brought by the men and boys. From our home there were two yoke of oxen brought by my uncle and a boy. One old yoke was a tall gaunt pale red ox called Red, his mate a stout black ox called Nig. A younger yoke was fine strong steers, called Bright and Broad. In all there were eighteen yoke of oxen hitched on, one yoke behind the other and as they strung out each yoke with his driver, it looked like the line was a mile long. Slowly but surely the house began to move, when each diver shouted to his team, and the oxen all leaned forward in their yoke bows and exerted all their enormous strength in a steady powerful pull. The big blocks of tree trunks turned over and began to roll just like real wheels would do. The house came slowly across the mile to the new site and came to a stop while the oxen were taken off and put at ease in a corral nearby. The people were going in and out of the house and all were hav- . ing a gay time, when suddenly one man was shown the displeasure of the others by "riding him on a rail’. This offender was thrown across a stout split oak rail, in a sitting posture, while four men raised the rail to rest on their shoulders, they carried him around the house amid shouts, jeers and laughter of everyone they passed. Do not know what his offense was, but he surely had an uncomfortable and humiliating ride. Supper was served and the violinists tuned up their instruments, and the dancing began. Those who had little children put them cross-ways in the two large beds in the hostess room, adjoining the dancing room. The idea of putting the children crossways the bed, was to give room for a larger number of the little ones who were going to sleep. The dancing was fast and enjoyable until twelve o’clock when cakes and coffee was served to everyone. I was not yet asleep when two very pretty young ladies came in to change their shoes. They put on a pair each of white kid, very high topped shoes and the shoes had red buttons, fit perfectly and were very trim and beautiful. These girls were nieces of BARNEY WEISER, a storekeeper in the settlement and their names. were HANNAH and the prettiest one’s name was RACY. When morning dawned the dancing was over and the people returned to their homes. All talking of having such a good time and looking forward to the next "gathering", which would perhaps be a "Chimney Daubing"’ when a neighbor would make s mud chimney for a fire-place in his home, and of course assisted by all neighboring settlers. ===============================================================================