Pleasant Tackitt
Encyclopedia
Pleasant Tackitt (April 22, 1803 February 7, 1886) (sometimes rendered as James Pleasant, but there is no official document to support this name) was a 19th century politician, pioneer Methodist minister, stockman, teacher, farmer, Indian fighter and Confederate Officer. Tackitt was a key figure in the history of Arkansas
and north Texas
, including a state representative of the Arkansas General Assembly
. Because of his battles with Indians in Texas, Tackitt became known as "The Fighting Parson."
, Kentucky
to Virginia
-born Lewis Tackitt and Mary Elizabeth Bashum and was one of seven children. The Missouri Methodist Conference assigned Pleasant as missionary to the Western Cherokees in Arkansas
in 1829. He was a circuit rider for two years and then assigned to mission schools. He married August 20, 1830 in Pope County, Arkansas
, Kezia Frances Bruton. He served one term in the Arkansas General Assembly
before joining a Texas
-bound caravan in the autumn of 1853.
was organized on Walnut Creek, about four miles west of Springtown
, Texas
.
He founded Goshen Church and helped clear ground for the adjoining cemetery after providing shelter for his family. He preached his first Texas
sermon in the cabin home of Hezekiah Culwell and regularly held services at Goshen, Springtown and Ash Creek where he helped build churches. In 1857 he organized the First United Methodist Church
of Weatherford
, Texas
. Then the Texas Methodist Conference transferred Pleasant to Fort Belknap, Texas
to spread the gospel to friendly Indians and white settlers. He organized churches in Palo Pinto
, Shackelford
and Young Counties
, including one at Graham, Texas
. Tackitt at one time had 143 appointments requiring 1,200 miles of travel to visit all. Tackitt Mountain in Young County was named for him in memory of the skirmish there in 1860 between the Tackitt family and a band of Indians led by a Comanche
known to the settlers as Piny Chummy (or Pine-o-Channa). During the Civil War
Tackitt served as chief justice and postmaster in Young County
and as enrolling officer in the Confederate States Army
.
An often-told story emphasizes the major scares the Tackitts endured at their Fish Creek home South of Ft. Belknap. One of the family's cows came home with an arrow protruding from its back. Pleasant and his three oldest sons, James, Lycurgus and George, armed themselves and went to bring home the remainder if their herd. They were returning from the Tackitt Mountain area with the animals when 10 Indians rose from a ravine ambush. When the arrows and bullets ceased, four attackers lay dead and James had a dangerous arrow point lodged in his skull and Pleasant was suffering from a point that pierced one foot. Both suffered great pain, but survived. Frontier life had tense episodes but all Pleasant's children lived long lives, mostly in their 80s. But his brother, Mann Darius
, was not so lucky. He was slain by a pillaging Indian band on his ranch in Jack County
. Pleasant returned to Parker County
,Texas in the last years of his life, and rests in Goshen Cemetery beside his wife.
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
and north Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, including a state representative of the Arkansas General Assembly
Arkansas General Assembly
The Arkansas General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The legislature is a bicameral body composed of the upper house Arkansas Senate with 35 members, and the lower Arkansas House of Representatives with 100 members. All 135 representatives and state senators...
. Because of his battles with Indians in Texas, Tackitt became known as "The Fighting Parson."
Early life
Tackitt was born in Henry CountyHenry County, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 15,060 people, 5,844 households, and 4,330 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 6,381 housing units at an average density of...
, Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
to Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
-born Lewis Tackitt and Mary Elizabeth Bashum and was one of seven children. The Missouri Methodist Conference assigned Pleasant as missionary to the Western Cherokees in Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
in 1829. He was a circuit rider for two years and then assigned to mission schools. He married August 20, 1830 in Pope County, Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
, Kezia Frances Bruton. He served one term in the Arkansas General Assembly
Arkansas General Assembly
The Arkansas General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The legislature is a bicameral body composed of the upper house Arkansas Senate with 35 members, and the lower Arkansas House of Representatives with 100 members. All 135 representatives and state senators...
before joining a Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
-bound caravan in the autumn of 1853.
Life in Texas
Pleasant settled first in the spring of 1854, two years before Parker CountyParker County, Texas
As of the census of 2003, there were 98,495 people, 31,131 households, and 24,313 families residing in the county. The population density was 98 people per square mile . There were 34,084 housing units at an average density of 38 per square mile...
was organized on Walnut Creek, about four miles west of Springtown
Springtown, Texas
Springtown is a city in Parker County, Texas, United States. The population was 2,062 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Springtown is located at ....
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
.
He founded Goshen Church and helped clear ground for the adjoining cemetery after providing shelter for his family. He preached his first Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
sermon in the cabin home of Hezekiah Culwell and regularly held services at Goshen, Springtown and Ash Creek where he helped build churches. In 1857 he organized the First United Methodist Church
First United Methodist Church
First United Methodist Church is a common name for the first United Methodist church established in a particular locality. Many First United Methodist Churches exist around the world....
of Weatherford
Weatherford, Texas
Weatherford is a city in Parker County, Texas, United States, and a western suburb of Fort Worth. The population was 19,000 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Parker County and is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.-Geography:...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. Then the Texas Methodist Conference transferred Pleasant to Fort Belknap, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
to spread the gospel to friendly Indians and white settlers. He organized churches in Palo Pinto
Palo Pinto County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 27,026 people, 10,594 households, and 7,447 families residing in the county. The population density was 28 people per square mile . There were 14,102 housing units at an average density of 15 per square mile...
, Shackelford
Shackelford County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,302 people, 1,300 households, and 941 families residing in the county. The population density was 4 people per square mile . There were 1,613 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile...
and Young Counties
Young County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 17,943 people, 7,167 households, and 5,081 families residing in the county. The population density was 20 people per square mile . There were 8,504 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile...
, including one at Graham, Texas
Graham, Texas
Graham is a city in north central Texas. It is the county seat of Young County, and as of the 2010 Census had a population of 8,903.-History:...
. Tackitt at one time had 143 appointments requiring 1,200 miles of travel to visit all. Tackitt Mountain in Young County was named for him in memory of the skirmish there in 1860 between the Tackitt family and a band of Indians led by a Comanche
Comanche
The Comanche are a Native American ethnic group whose historic range consisted of present-day eastern New Mexico, southern Colorado, northeastern Arizona, southern Kansas, all of Oklahoma, and most of northwest Texas. Historically, the Comanches were hunter-gatherers, with a typical Plains Indian...
known to the settlers as Piny Chummy (or Pine-o-Channa). During the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
Tackitt served as chief justice and postmaster in Young County
Young County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 17,943 people, 7,167 households, and 5,081 families residing in the county. The population density was 20 people per square mile . There were 8,504 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile...
and as enrolling officer in the Confederate States Army
Confederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
.
Final years
An often-told story emphasizes the major scares the Tackitts endured at their Fish Creek home South of Ft. Belknap. One of the family's cows came home with an arrow protruding from its back. Pleasant and his three oldest sons, James, Lycurgus and George, armed themselves and went to bring home the remainder if their herd. They were returning from the Tackitt Mountain area with the animals when 10 Indians rose from a ravine ambush. When the arrows and bullets ceased, four attackers lay dead and James had a dangerous arrow point lodged in his skull and Pleasant was suffering from a point that pierced one foot. Both suffered great pain, but survived. Frontier life had tense episodes but all Pleasant's children lived long lives, mostly in their 80s. But his brother, Mann Darius
Mann Darius Tackitt
Mann Darius Tackitt and his infamous brother Pleasant Tackitt moved to Parker County, Texas in 1854 and for a few years lived about twelve miles north of Weatherford, Texas. During 1858, they moved to Jack County, Texas and settled on Boone's Creek, in the southwestern part of the county.October...
, was not so lucky. He was slain by a pillaging Indian band on his ranch in Jack County
Jack County, Texas
*Bryson*Jacksboro*Jermyn *Joplin *Perrin *Gibtown-See also:*National Register of Historic Places listings in Jack County, Texas-External links:*...
. Pleasant returned to Parker County
Parker County, Texas
As of the census of 2003, there were 98,495 people, 31,131 households, and 24,313 families residing in the county. The population density was 98 people per square mile . There were 34,084 housing units at an average density of 38 per square mile...
,Texas in the last years of his life, and rests in Goshen Cemetery beside his wife.
Frontier Life
From the article in Frontier Times Magazine: Vol 2 No. 9 - June, 1925: "I wish now to record one of the best Indian fights ever fought on our northern frontier by citizens against Indians. This fight like the major part of our frontier life and battles with Indians, has never been recorded in history, but by all means ought to have been. The fight was by Rev. Pleasant Tackitt and his three young sons. Jim Tackitt, twenty-two years old, L. L.- Tackitt, twenty, and George Tackitt, sixteen. Rev. Tackitt was armed with a rifle and dragoon six-shooter; Jim Tackitt had a rifle and Navy six-shooter and L. L. Tackitt had a double-barreled shot gun and Navy six shooter. The first Indian raid into Young county after they were moved to the Indian territory was in January 1860. On the evening of January 13 one of the Tackitt's milk cows came home with an arrow sticking in her back. Mrs. Tackitt, after discovering the arrow when she went to milk, went to the house and reported the fact. It was then late in, the evening. Rev. Tackitt and the three older boys above named made ready to start the next morning on foot to see if they could find the Indians and also learn what they had done with other stock. There had been a deep snow and sleet on the ground for a week or ten days. The Tackitts then lived on Fish Creek in Young county. Early on the morning of the 14th about sun-rise, the Rev' Tackitt and the three boys left home in pursuit of the Indians; they took the back trail of the cows and after having gone some two miles they came to where the Indians had killed one of their cows and had… He and George both rain to the trees and in suddenly stopping behind the trees they both slipped on the snow and fell. Jim and Rev. Tackitt by this time were slightly wounded. The Indians seeing L. L. and George fall when they ran to the trees evidently thought they were killed and instantly dropped their bows and arrows in the branch and made a sudden rush.Children
- James Gray B. abt 1838
- Lewis Lycurgus “Like”; born May 4, 1840; Parker County, Texas Sheriff 1882-1883; Commanding Officer of Parker County Minute Company, Texas State Troops (Rangers), October 1865.
- George Wm. Council abt 1842
- Andrew Chester Ashley born November 15, 1845; January - February 1874 - Texas Rangers, Young County, Texas.
- Robert Emmett Elias; born April 10, 1849; Justice of the PeaceJustice of the PeaceA justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
, 1901-1922 Hall County, Texas. - Sarah Caroline abt 1851
- Perry Anderson abt 1854
Siblings
- Rev. Moranda Tackitt
- Nathaniel Tackitt
- Elizabeth Tackitt Davis
- Sarah Louisa Tackitt Benefield Bewley
- Capt. Mann Darius TackittMann Darius TackittMann Darius Tackitt and his infamous brother Pleasant Tackitt moved to Parker County, Texas in 1854 and for a few years lived about twelve miles north of Weatherford, Texas. During 1858, they moved to Jack County, Texas and settled on Boone's Creek, in the southwestern part of the county.October...
- Martin Tackitt
-
- The Pleasant Tackitt who was killed as a result of the Mountain Meadows massacreMountain Meadows massacreThe Mountain Meadows massacre was a series of attacks on the Baker–Fancher emigrant wagon train, at Mountain Meadows in southern Utah. The attacks culminated on September 11, 1857 in the mass slaughter of the emigrant party by the Iron County district of the Utah Territorial Militia and some local...
was the son of Martin Tackitt.
- The Pleasant Tackitt who was killed as a result of the Mountain Meadows massacre
Further reading
- Young County: History and Biography, Crouch, Carrie J., Dallas: Dealey and Love, 1937; rev. ed., A History of Young County, Texas, Austin: Texas State Historical Association, 1956
- History of Parker County and the Double Log Cabin, Gustavus Adolphus Holland, Weatherford, Texas: Herald, 1931; rpt. 1937
- The Fort Belknap of Yesterday and Today ; Ledbetter, Barbara Neal, 1963
- West Texas Frontier; McConnell, Joseph Carroll, Vol. 1, Jacksboro, Texas, 1933; Vol. 2, Palo Pinto, Texas, 1939
- The Frontier of Northwest Texas, 1846 to 1876; Richardson, Rupert N.; Glendale, California: Clark, 1963