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Submitted: 1/6/13 • Approved: 1/8/13 • Last Updated: 1/11/13 • R807209-G807208-S3
Elizabeth
July 20, 1820 Buncombe County, NC
February 9, 1875 Sebastian County Arkansas,
William
April 18,1814 - February 12, 1875
Parents of seven children: James Jackson, Martha Temperance, Frances Nathaniel Holcombe, John B, Louisa E, & Mary J McAlester. All but James Jackson and Nathaniel are buried at Steep Hill Cemetery in Sebastian County, Arkansas. Elizabeth was the daughter of Zadoc Holcomb and Elizabeth Brigman of Buncombe County, North Carolina. She migrated with her parents through the Cumberland Gap and settled near Middlesboro, Kentucky. Her family then traveled by river rafts to Missouri and settled in Chillicothe, Missouri (c 1839). By 1841 she met and married William Jackson McAlester who had been living in Howard County, Missouri. Elizabeth and William Jackson McAlester made their home in Arkansas.
The Arkansas McAllisters/McAlesters trace back to Elizabeth and her husband. Their homestead in Sebastian County was established by land grants signed by three Presidents: Van Buren, Tyler, and Buchanan. Their home became a part of Camp Chaffee in the 1940's. All of Elizabeth and William Jackson McAlester's children but James Jackson and Nathaniel are buried at Steep Hill Cemetery in Sebastian County, Arkansas, where she and her husband are laid to rest.
The McAlester's daughters, Martha Temperance and husband, Thomas William Bugg, and Louisa and husband, James W Rutherford, donated the land to expand Steep Hill Cemetery beyond the original "half acre for burying." Therefore, Elizabeth Holcomb and William Jackson McAlester's graves and some of their children's, along with the graves of William Thomas Bugg's parents, are the oldest in the cemetery.
*Elizabeth's married name was actually McAllister. Like many during that time period, her sons, James Jackson and Nathaniel (Doc), changed the spelling of their name to McAlester. As a result, it is seen written both ways.
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Obituary of Elizabeth McAllister:
McAllister - At her happy home in this county after a short and painful illness, on the 9th Feb , A.D. 1875. Mrs. Elizabeth McAllister, consort of Judge Wm McAllister in the 55th year of her age.
A devoted wife, an affectionate mother, a good and beloved neighbor. Thus has passed from earth to heaven, one whose trust was ever in her dear Redeemer, and whose daily acts of goodness, won for her the respect, esteem and confidence of all who knew her.
William Jackson McAlester (McAllister) was born in Kentucky to James Garland and Temperance Jackson McAllister (McAlester). s.
William Jackson was a farmer and stockman. He served two terms as Sebastian County's first coroner (1851-1852) and its' fifth county and probate judge (1860-1864). Politically, he was a member of the Democratic Party. On January 1, 1851, he served as Vice-President for a historical "Union Meeting" in Van Buren, the purpose for which was to debate and determine succession from the union with the states. In addition, William Jackson McAllister was founding member and elected officer of the Greenwood Masonic Lodge. The first meeting was held April 20th, 1858. He received land grants signed by three Presidents: Van Buren, Tyler, and Buchannan. One included his homestead, in Sebastian County, Arkansas. It was signed by President Buchanan. William and his wife are listed among the earliest settlers of Mazzard Prairie. Their home was eventually taken to establish Camp Chaffee. The Janet Huckabee Nature Center at Wells Lake now sits on the very land that was formerly William and Elizabeth's home place.
The earliest American settlers of William Jackson's family originate to William McAllister born in 1694 in Louisa County, Virginia, and his wife, Elizabeth Garland McAllister, born in 1698. Migration for decendents was first to Kentucky, then to Missouri, and later, to Arkansas. William Jackson used the spelling McAllister throughout his entire life. His sons James Jackson and Nathaniel changed the spelling to McAlester and documents indicate they likely placed the gravestone markers for their parents and siblings with the spelling McAlester. McAlester's family line and burials at Steep Hill have been documented with Clan McAlister of America. Like many surnames, the spelling of McAlester from McAllister changed over time.
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OBITUARY of William Jackson McAlester - Fort Smith Elevator newspaper dated February 13, 1875
"We are pained to announce the death of our old friend, Judge Wm. McAllister who departed this life on Friday morning, the 12th, at 7 o'clock, after a short illness, follwing soon his beloved wife, who was buried the day preceeding.
Judge McAllister was one of the old citizens of our county - was for several years County and Probate Judge - and always enjoyed the respect and confidence of all who knew him.
Sebastian county has lost a valuable citizen in his death. He died as he lived, a Christian, and in the full hope of a blessed immortality beyond the grave."
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OBITUARY of William Jackson McAlister - The Fort Smith Herald, dated February 13, 1875
DIED
"McAllister - At his home in this county, on the 12th, inst., of pneumonia Judge Wm. McAllister, in the 61st year of his age.
A devoted husband, an affectionate parent, a good neighbor and an honest upright man.
Funeral tomorrow, Sunday at 12, o'clock, m. - from his residence to Steep Hill cemetery - all his friends are requested to attend."
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Contributed on 1/6/13
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Record #: 807209