Banister Tucker Biography
- Janiece Kratzmeyer Gasewicz
- Dec 21, 2015
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 15, 2021
At this point, our firm knowledge of Stephen Tucker's paternal ancestry ends with his father, Banister Tucker. In fact, though Banister was born in the late 1820s, nothing is known about his life prior to 1850.
From what we have gathered, Banister was born around 1828, most likely in Kentucky. In 1850, he was living in Breckinridge County, Kentucky. Within two years, he married a woman named Leticia Tucker. Although some sort of familial connection is very possible, their relationship is unknown.
In 1856, Banister, along with Leticia's father and brothers, bought land in Pope County, Arkansas, near the town of Galley Rock. Banister purchased 80 acres for about $1.25 an acre. (They had likely moved here a few years prior to this purchase.) By 1860, Banister was in his early 30s and his family was well settled into their home near Galley Rock. They had three children at the time: Mary, William and Nancy. The following year would bring the Civil War, and Banister's family was not exempt from its cruelty. Banister’s first involvement with the Confederate States is unknown, but it was in some capacity that included, at the least, providing supplies or hauling supplies between troop stations. By March of 1862, he and his brother-in-law, Logan, were enrolled in the 15th Regiment Arkansas Militia, Company D, under Captain B. F. Wilson. It would seem that he remained near his home for some short time as Leticia became pregnant during the following months, giving birth to Stephen Walker Tucker in February of 1863.
By 1863, both Banister and Logan were enrolled in the 1st Arkansas Calvary Regiment, Company B, more commonly known as Gordon's Calvary Regiment. In September, the Company was involved in the Battle of Devil's Backbone along with General Cabell's Brigade. The battle and subsequent retreat of Cabell's Brigade pushed the regiment to an area probably between 60 and 80 miles southwest of Banister's home. I believe that Gordon's Regiment remained in the area for the next few months, recovering and awaiting orders. It is possible that they pushed northeast, closer to Pope County. At some point, it seems that Banister took leave to go see his family, although that hasn't been confirmed. We do know that at the next Company Muster Roll, Banister was reported to have died on October 5th of 1863. Oral history tells us that Banister stopped to rest, as he made his way back home, but succumbed to either illness or injuries and died. I suspect that his brother-in-law, Logan, might have been with him and took the news to his family and then back to the Company, but that is just supposition on my part. To our knowledge, Banister never laid eyes on Stephen before his death. Stephen was about eight months old when he died.
Note: Banister's name was also spelled Bannister.
Documents
1850 Census:
Banister is located on line 25 and in the household of
John Shrewsbury. His name is spelled as Bannister.
1860 Census:
Banister's household begins on page 11. The home listed beneath
belongs to Stephen Tucker, Letitia's brother.
Military Service Records
Military Service Records:
Company B, Gordon's Regiment, Arkansas Calvary
Military Service Records:
Company D, 15th Arkansas Militia
Military Service Records:
Confederate Citizens File
Probate Records
Oct. 19, 1870 Record: Regarding Sale of Land with John P. Ferguson as grantee Located at Bottom Left of Document Source: Pope County, Arkansas Probate records 1861-1877 vol G; page 156
January Term 1871: Regarding Petition for the Division of Banister Tucker's Land Division of Bannister's Land, Part One: This was a request for the court to lay out the guidelines for dividing Bannister's land among his heirs and others in January of 1871. The request was granted. Located at Bottom Left of Document Source: Pope County, Arkansas Probate records 1861-1877 vol G; page 160
Land Records
Pre-Emption Land Certificate, dated 1857
This collection of shots is of the land in Pope County, Arkansas, that once belonged to Banister Tucker. It is now private land, but we were able to take pictures from the perimeter. The land lays just north of the Arkansas River. The shots were taken facing the south, looking toward the river valley.
Links of Interest: Galley Rock, Arkansas Gorden’s Regiment, Arkansas Calvary
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