AmericanLongRifles Forums

General discussion => Antique Gun Collecting => Topic started by: FDR on May 01, 2014, 11:37:13 PM

Title: TN/Texas gunsmith
Post by: FDR on May 01, 2014, 11:37:13 PM

Anyone ever seen or hear of a rifle by "Samuel Roe" Lincoln Co. Tn?  He is listed as a gunsmith in one of the county census and was my great grandfather.  He moved to Abilene, TX (Fort Griffin) around   1880-85 and lived in the area until his death in 1925. I have no idea if he continued his gunsmith work there.

Fred

Title: Re: TN Rifle
Post by: mr. no gold on May 02, 2014, 02:05:29 AM

Have you checked Chris Hirsch's book on Texas gun makers? He has a lot of information spanning scores of years on makers and sellers in Texas.
Dick

Title: Re: TN Rifle
Post by: FDR on May 02, 2014, 02:23:41 AM

Thanks for the reply. I do not have a copy of the book suggested. Prehaps a member that does will check for me?

Fred

Title: Re: TN/Texas gunsmith
Post by: Mike L on May 02, 2014, 06:15:52 AM

There is no Samuel Roe listed in "The Texas Gun Trade" book.

Title: Re: TN/Texas gunsmith
Post by: oakridge on May 02, 2014, 07:26:59 AM

He is listed in the Tennessee Gunsmiths book as Samuel Roe (born 1830 Tenn.) Gunsmith. Tipton County (1860 Census).

They also list a Samuel Rowe. Gunsmith. Tipton County. Civil War Veteran, C.S.A. (Probably same person, just different spelling. Could be listed in Civil
War records as Rowe)

Title: Re: TN/Texas gunsmith
Post by: oakridge on May 02, 2014, 07:55:07 AM

Samuel Roe, gunsmith, Tipton County, TN, 1860, is listed in the 1870 Census as a mechanic, and in 1880 as a farmer.

There was a Samuel Gibson Roe, born Lincoln Co, TN, died 1915 Davidson Co. TN, but he is not the same man.

Title: Re: TN/Texas gunsmith
Post by: FDR on May 02, 2014, 11:27:22 PM

Thanks to all for the help. What I know about Sam is that he was born in 1843 and married Mary F Isom in 1865. He was a private in the 8th Tennessee Infantry CSA and fought  at Stones River (Murfreesboro) and Tullahoma. His Company K, Mulberry Rifles, was almost wiped out at Stones River. The 8th, 447 strong, charged a cannon position and 128 survived the charge. He was lucky!
He and Mary split the family sometimes after 1880 and he took the 2 boys and went to Texas.
My grandfather returned  to TN from Texas. The other brother Lawson Roe stayed with Sam in Texas.

I was hoping someone had one of Sam's guns!

Thanks again

Fred Roe