Someone mentioned "Little Clarinda’s Story" yesterday. I have it (a very bad copy that I can’t read but about every fifth word). It’s entitled "Little Patriots of Hodge’s Bend." It appears to have been written by someone named Marguerite (and I can’t make out the middle and last names) of Midland, Texas. What I have is not a copy from a published book. It is 31 pages of double-spaced type, so I don’t know if it was ever published. According to the preface, this is a true story based on the memoirs of Clarinda (can’t read middle name) Kegans who was the great-great-grandmother of the author. The story is about Clarinda’s family’s experiences (the year 1836 – she was 13 years old) in Austin’s Colony and during the Texas War for Independence. The last line of the preface states, "It is written with the hope that for a brief moment children may imagine themselves part of that dramatic event in the growth of their country." I wish I had saved the e-mail of the gentleman who mentioned the story. Sir, if you read this, would you please let me know if this story has been published, or if you know the rest of Marguerite’s name? Thanks. Below is my next submission of information about the Hodge Family of Texas provided to me 20 years ago by (I believe) Johnnie Louise Kight. "This is my proof that I am a descendant of Alexander and William Hodge. I submitted this proof in order to belong to the Daughters of the Republic of Texas and Daughters of the American Revolution. According to the Diary of Wm. B. Travis (the commander of the Alamo), Alexander Hodge operated a store and took in travelers for food and lodging at .50 per day. Austin appointed him an Alcalde (Mayor) for the people along Oyster Creek. On March 28, 1837, his son, A. E. Hodge, filed a petition for guardianship of Polly (Mary) and Ruth Hodge. These two girls along with their brother, William Fields Hodge were evidently reared by their grandfather (Alexander) as their father William who came to Texas with his father Alexander in 1824, died in 1828. In 1831, Alexander filed for a grant in behalf of the three children of his son, William, stating that his son came to Texas in 1824 with full intentions of becoming a permanent citizen but died before receiving his grant. The grant of one league was made to the heirs, located in now what is Walker County, on the upper San Jacinto River, about half-way between what is now Huntsville and Navasota, Texas just off Highway 30. This of c! ourse is known as the William Hodge League and will forever be so designated on the maps and land records of Walker County, which did not become a County until 1866. The grant was not recorded until 8/7/1913 (35/436DR). The land was subdivided by the heirs in 1840 (Vol. A2 page 354, Vol. A2 page 402 and Vol. B2 page 1). In the papers filed by Alexander for the grant of the three children he states that they were young. In 1845 in Book B page 273 Deed Records of Fort Bend County, the league of Alexander Hodge was divided among his heirs. William Jr. bought his two sisters portion and was deeded 536 acres. On Nov. 1855 William Hodge deeded this same 536 to Homer White. This one document showing that Wm. F. Hodge of Fayette County was the grandson of Alexander Hodge, is the link that Robert Archibald Hodge was the great grandson of Alexander Hodge, the grandson of William Hodge (died 1828). Alexander is obviously buried in the Hodge Bend Cemetery located on his property, althou! gh his grave has not been located." Filed for Record the 20th July 1847 at 3 P.M. Recorded same day at 4 P.M. Mills M. Battle Clk. C.C. & Recorder. HEIRS OF ALEXANDER HODGE DECD. TO WILLIAM HODGE’S HEIRS & C. REPUBLIC OF TEXAS COUNTY OF FORT BEND. This indenture made the seventeenth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty four, between Arche Hodge, John Hodge, A. E. Hodge, James Hodge or his heirs or Administrators, Ruth Harris, Mary Lewis and Lucinda Richardson, of the County above written, of the one part, and heirs of William Hodge Decd. (Viz) Mary Ross, Ruth Harris and William Hodge Junr. Of the same County and Republic of the other part, Witnesseth, that the said Arche Hodge, John Hodge, A. E. Hodge, James Hodge’s Heirs or Administrator, Ruth Harris, Mary Lewis and Lucinda Richardson, for and in consideration of the sum of sixteen hundred Dollars good and lawful money to them the said Arche Hodge, John Hodge, A. E. Hodge, James Hodge, Ruth Harris, Mary Lewis and Lucinda Richardson in hand paid, the receipt whereof is hereby confessed and acknowledged, hath granted, bargained and sold, and by these presents doth grant, bargain and sell unto the heirs of William Hodge Decd. Their he! irs and assigns, (all that tract or parcel of land) lying and being in the County of Fort Bend and Republic of Texas, known as a part of the Hodge League, Beginning at the South West corner of Mary Lewis survey at a Mulberry 16 inches in Diameter, Thence running South 5844 vs to the Brazos River, Thence with the River to the corner Lot No. 2. Thence North 5844 vs. to an ash 7 inches in diameter, Thence West 507 6/10 vs to the place of beginning containing 536 acres. To Have and To Hold the said tract of land and all and singular other the premises above mentioned, and every part thereof, with the appurtenances unto the said Mary Ross, Ruth Hodge, William Hodge Junr. The heirs of William Hodge Decd. Their heirs and assigns to the proper use and behoof of the said heirs of William Hodge Decd. Their heirs and assigns forever, and the said Arch Hodge, John Hodge, A. E. Hodge, James Hodge, Ruth Harris Mary Lewis U& Lucinda Richardson, for themselves and their heirs. The said tract or parcel of land and premises and every part thereof, against the said Arche Hodge, John Hodge, A. E. Hodge, James Hodge, Ruth Harris and Mary Lewis and Lucinda Richardson, and their heirs, and against all and singular every person & persons whomsoever, is the said Heirs of William Hodge Decd. Their heirs and assigns, shall and will warrant and defend, by these presents, signed sealed (using a scroll for a seal) and delivered in the presence of the subscribing wit! nesses, the day and date above written. Signed – Arche Hodge (Seal) John Hodge (Seal) A.E. Hodge (Seal) Arche Hodge Admr. (Seal) Mary Lewis (Seal) Lucinda Richardson (Seal) Ruth Harris (Seal) Attest: Ely F. Ross. Sam T. Ross. THE STATE OF TEXAS COUNTY OF FORT BEND Before me Mills M. Battle Clerk of the County Court same and appeared Ely F. Ross one of the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing instrument of, and well known to me, who on oath declares and says that Arche Hodge, John Hodge, A. E. Hodge, Arche Hodge Admr. Mary Lewis, Lucinda Richardson and Ruth Harris all and each signed, sealed and acknowledged and delivered the same in his presence as their binding act and deed for the uses and purposes set forth in the body thereof, after which he, this deponent with Sam T. Ross signed the same as witnesses. To authenticate which for record I grant this certificate under my hand and seal of the County Court at office Richmond the 29th day of March A.D. 1847. Mills M. Battle Clk. C.C.F.B.C. Filed for record the 21st day of July 1847 at 8 o’clock A.M. and recorded the same day at 9 A.M. Mills M. Battle Clk. C.C. & Recorder More to come. CAROLYN HODGE