Nathaniel Sears, or Nathan as he was usually known, was born about 1810 in Kentucky. His parents were Jesse Sears and Margaret Ellen Cox. Nathan’s paternal grandfather, John Lewis Sears, Sr., was a veteran of the Revolutionary War and had acquired bounty land there.
On April 16, 1830, Nathan married Nancy Mills in Pulaski County, Kentucky. Their first two sons, Jesse and Thompson, were born there. However, around 1835, the Sears family removed to Missouri, where Nathan and Nancy had five more sons in quick succession. The 1850 census of Missouri records them as small farmers.
By 1860, the Sears family was living in West Point, Bates County, Missouri, and Nathan was running a grocery store. Sons Eli, Winfrey and Alexander were still in the household, but the older boys were married and gone.
At least three of the Sears sons fought for the Confederacy during the Civil War, although it is not known whether they served in regular regiments or as irregulars. At any rate, they all left Missouri after the war.
1870 found Nathan and Nancy farming near Anaheim, California. Five of their sons-- Thompson, James, Eli, Winfrey and Alexander--were also farming nearby. Surprisingly, Nathan and Nancy’s household included two young African American children, George and Rhoda, who had been born in Missouri.
Sometime between 1876 and 1879, sons John Marion and Eli moved to Phoenix, Arizona. The 1880 federal census lists their occupation as freighters/teamsters. Nathan and Nancy were also in John Marion’s household, although by then they were retired.
Nathan’s wife Nancy must have died between 1880 and 1882, for Nathan married a widow, Furlisa (Felicia?) Ann House Howerton, on November 16, 1882. Nathan and Furlisa had only three years together, as he passed away on their wedding anniversary, November 16, 1885, in Tempe.
It is presumed that Nathan Sears was buried in the Pioneer & Military Memorial Park, that being the only cemetery in use in 1885. However, no grave marker has been found.
While Sears did have a will, it was not entered into probate
until January 9, 1893. His estate was
estimated to be worth about $7000. Per a
prior agreement, he left half of his cattle and all his horses to his son John
Marion, who was a rancher. The other
half of the cattle were to be divided equally among his other sons. To his widow he left five milk cows and any
offspring they might have. Sons John
Marion and James were named as co-executors.
There is no explanation for the seven-year delay in probating the will.
-by Donna
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