EIGHTH GENERATION

219. Jennie Looney (Jane) WOODY was born on 15 Mar 1827 in Roane Co., TN. She died in 1895 in Ft. Worth, Tarrant, TX. She was buried in Forest Hill Cemetery. From: History of Texas, pg 243-244.

Mrs. Jane Farmer, widow of the late George P. Farmer, was the first white woman of Fort Worth, Texas, and her children were the first white children born here.
Mr. and Mrs. Farmer were married in 1844, and three years later, in 1847, emigrated from their native state (tennessee) to Texas, first settling in Fannin County, where they remained two years and whence the came, in 1849, to Fort Worth. They reached here three weeks before the arrival of the soldiers. At that time a furrow had not been plowed nor had an ax or hoe been used in the vicinity. Nature was undisturbed, and not a sign of habitation was here. They camped on the present site of Fort Worth. After the arrival of the troops Mr. Farmer was employed by the government to attend the sutler's store, and he continued thus employed for four years. He then took a homestead claim of 320 acres and devoted his energies to the development of a farm, soon bringing a hundred acres of this tract under cultivation. He also engaged in the cattle business, which he carried on until the opening of the late war, when he sent his cattle west with one of his sons, who continued the business there. About 1862 Mr. Farmer sold his homestead, taking in payment therefor negroes and Confederate money, both of which proved worthless. Later he purchased the farm where his widow now lives. This tract comprises 240 acres, 135 of which are under cultivation, being rented on the shares, and wheat, oats, and corn being the chief products.
Amthough she endured many privations and hardships, Mrs. Farmer has many pleasant reminiscences of her pioneer life. At the time they settled here game of all kinds and honey and wild grapes were plentiful. Grapes, however, were the only fruit they had, and there were no vegetables here whatever. Ten years elapsed before she had a mess of Irish potatoes. Groceries and provisions of all kinds had to be hauled from Houston, and some times during the rainy season it took two to three months to make the trip.
Mr. Farmer was a man of many sterling qualities. In his makeup were found the elements of a true pioneer. He was a veteran of the Seminole war in Alabama an Florida, and his widow is a pensioner of that war. While he never aspired to official position, he took a laudable interest in public affairs, and was well known and highly respected all over the pioneer settlement, retaining the confidence and good will of all who knew him, up to the time of his death, which occurred January 14, 1892. He was especially notes for his hospitality, his good wife sharing with him in this. The latch-string of their cabin door always hung on the outside, both friend and stranger were given a hearty welcome, and the needy were never turned away empty handed. The name of "Press" Farmer is dear to all of the early settlers.
Mrs. Farmer was born and reared in east Tennessee, tha date of her birth being March 15, 1827. Her father, Samuel Woody, was among the first settlers of Parker County, Texas, He having come here a few years after the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Farmer, and he remained in the county until his death, about 1877. He was a farmer and blacksmith, and was prominent in his day.
This worthy pioneer couple were the parents of fourteen children, five of whom died in infancy. A record of the others is as follows: Susan is the wife of Thomas Young, a native of Virginia and a druggist of Lewisville, Denton County, Texas; Jacob is engaged in the cattle business in Montana; Molly is the wife of Eugene Small, of Velasco; Josephine is the wife of Dr. Higgins, of Cooke County, this state; Emma is a member of the home circle; Florence, wife of Alexander Henderson, resides on a farm in Tarrant county, Texas; Alexander died at the age of twenty-one years; William died and left a widow and eight children; and Hannah, wife of James Sutter, is deceased.
Mrs. Farmer was present at the organization of the Baptist Church of Fort Worth, and also at that of Enon. Of this church she has been a consistent member for many years.

She was married to George Preston (Press) FARMER (son of Elijah Ward FARMER Sr and Martha Jane PRESTON) in 1844 in Roane Co., TN. George Preston (Press) FARMER was born in 1825. He died on 14 Jan 1892 in Ft. Worth, Tarrant, TX. Jennie Looney (Jane) WOODY and George Preston (Press) FARMER had the following children:

363 i. Susan FARMER was born in Ft. Worth, Tarrant, TX. First white child born in Fort Worth.

364 ii. Alexander FARMER.
365 iii. Hannah FARMER.
366 iv. Jacob FARMER was born on 5 May 1854 in Ft. Worth, Tarrant, TX. He died in 1921. He was buried in Everman Cemetery.
367 v. William Press (Buck) FARMER was born on 27 Aug 1855 in Ft. Worth, Tarrant, TX.
368 vi. Molly FARMER was born on 26 Nov 1861 in Ft. Worth, Tarrant, TX.
369 vii. Emma FARMER was born in Jun 1866 in Ft. Worth, Tarrant, TX.
370 viii. Josephine (Josie) FARMER was born in Dec 1868 in Ft. Worth, Tarrant, TX.
371 ix. Florence FARMER was born on 1 Apr 1870 in Ft. Worth, Tarrant, TX.