Christopher Koonce (Koontz): Basic Family

THE CHRISTOPHER KOONCE & MARY ANN BRINSON FAMILY

            1778 - ca. 1845                                                                 ? - ca. 1823
Christopher Columbus Koonce                                                      Polly Brinson


Connection to chart: Christopher and Polly (Brinson) Koonce are the parents of Hellen Enlish Koontz (Koonce) who married Samuel Gibbs Leatherman.


Christopher Koonce was born on August 15, 1778 in Jones county, North Carolina.  When he was eighteen years old, he came West with members of his family and their friends, traveling on horseback and oxen drawn wagons.  They must have traveled the famous Wilderness Road across the northeast corner of Tennessee through Kentucky and the Cumberland Gap that Daniel Boone had blazed in 1775.  They ended their trip at or near LeBanon, Tennessee.  At the time, this area was Sumner county, Tennessee, but the newly arrived settlers found it difficult to cross the Cumberland River to attend to business, to pay their taxes, and to attend court so they petitioned the House of Representatives of the State of Tennessee to make that part of Sumner county, south of the Cumberland River, into a new county known as Wilson county.  This petition was signed by a number of people, including Christopher Koonce and a number of his kin, and was passed in September, 1799.  On April 25, 1801, the Koonce's and friends established Mt. Olivet Baptist Church at Big Lick, Wilson county, state of Tennessee.

Christopher was elected Captain of a Tax District in 1805 and continued as such for several years in Wilson county, Tennessee.  He (private) also joined Captain George W. Still's Company of Infantry, Colonel S. Copeland's 3rd Regiment W. Tennessee Militia in the War of 1812 helping to subdue the Creek Indians at Wounded Knee.

Christopher Columbus Koonce married (1) Mary Ann Brinson ("Polly") on January 25 (27?), 1806 in Wilson county, Tennessee.  Her father's name was James Brinson Jr.  He died in 1845 and is buried in Ebenezer cemetery, Castor, Bienville Parish, Louisiana.  The Brinsons have a long line of Baptist  preachers in their family.  Christopher's mother's name was Patience (Purser) Brinson.  Christopher was married more than once.  Christopher and Polly purchased land together and made their home in Wilson county, Tennessee. Christopher and Polly came from Tennessee about 1818 with his wife's family, James Brinson and his family.  Christopher and Polly had the following children:

The Children of Christopher & Polly Koonce

I.  Lenora Koonce: She was born on January 11, 1807 at Lebanon, Wilson county, Tennessee.  She married George W. Brown in 1826 at Claiborne Parish, Louisiana.  He was born in Kentucky and died in 1864 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.  She died about 1893 in Arcadia, Bienville Parish, Louisiana.  They had the following children:
     A.  Mary Ann Brown: She was born iin 1827 and died in 1911.  She married Eldred Hardy in 1847.
     B.  Martha E. Brown: She was born in 1828; she married Thomas L. Prothro.
     C.  Betram Philip Brown: He was born in 1831.
     D.  Lenora Brown: She was born in 1835; she married John R. Boylston.
     E.  John C. Brown: He was born in 1837; he died on February 4, 1863 in Richmond, Virginia.
     F.  George W. Brown Jr.: He was born in 1839.
     G.  Eunice Haseltine Brown: She was born on December 22, 1841; she married Green W. Hartsfield.
     H.  David B. Brown: He was born in 1844; he married Sallie A. Rowell.
     I.  Paul Brown: He was born in 1846 and died at a young age.

II.  Amander Koonce: He was born in 1808 in Wilson county, Tennessee.  He married (1) Martha A.W. Byas in 1833 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.  Martha was born in 1816 and died in 1854 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana; her parents were Robert Byas and his wife, Winnie.  Amander died in 1884 in Claiborne Parish, Louisiana.  He is buried in the Old Castor cemetery in an unmarked grave in Claiborne Parish, Louisiana.  He was married more than once.  Amander and Martha had the following children:
     A.  Andrew Jackson Koonce: He was born in 1834 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.  He married Mariah Campbell on November 25, 1852.  Mariah's second husband was (2) Wesley A. Smith; they married on December 4, 1866.  Andrew Jackson Koonce served as a private sergeant in Co. I, 16th Louisiana infantry; he enlisted on September 29, 1861 at Camp Moore, Louisiana and served until his death in October, 1863.  Andrew Jackson Koonce was killed during the Civil War at the Battle of Big Bertha, along with his brother, Robert Amander Koonce.  A.J. and Mariah had the following children:
          1.  Louisa Kathryn Koonce: She married James A. Wallace and had fifteen children.
          2.  Martha V. Koonce:
          3.  Mary E. Koonce:
     B.  Mary Elizabeth Koonce: She was born on September 25, 1837 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.  She married Bernhard Heinrich Stall in Castor, Claiborne Parish, Louisiana (Note: source listed her marriage date as 9-25-1837, the same as the birth date).  She died on September 12, 1904 and is buried at Mt. Lebanon cemetery at Mt. Lebanon, Bienville Parish, Louisiana. 
     C.  Nancy Jane Koonce: She was born in 1839 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.  She married (1) Wesley Chandler on August 19, 1858.  She married (2) J.W. Daily in 1864 and (3) Thomas W. Koonce on November 11, 1868.
     D.  Robert Amander Koonce: He was born on February 28, 1841 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.  He married (1) Sarah J. Cockerham on July 12, 1865.  She was born on June 17, 1845 and died on April 21, 1885 in Castor, Louisiana.  She is buried in the old Castor cemetery in town.  Robert A. Koonce fought in the Civil War; he joined Company I, 16th Louisiana Infantry.  In September, 1864 he was listed in the rolls of Prisoners of War, being captured at Strausbury, Virginia.  He was received at Harper's Ferry, Virginia in October, 1864 and sent to Fort Lookout, Maryland.  He was paroled and transferred for exchange at Coxes Landing, James River, Virginia in Feburary of 1865.  He was exchanged and paroled at Appomattox Court House, Virginia in April, 1865.  Robert and Sarah had the following children:
     1.  Henry Allen Koonce: He was born on July 1, 1868 in Louisiana.  He died on July 27, 1877 in Castor, Bienville Parish, Louisiana and is buried in the old Castor cemetery.
     2.  Mary Eunice Koonce: She was born on January 27, 1871 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana and died on November 18, 1875 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.  She is buried in the old Castor cemetery in Bienville Parish.
     3.  Thomas Neal Koonce: He was born on September 27, 1875 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.  He died on November 15, 1939 in Castor in Bienville Parish, Louisiana and is buried in the old Castor cemetery.
     4.  Wesley A. Koonce: He was born on May 6, 1878 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.  He died on January 7, 1925 in Castor, Bienville Parish, Louisiana and is buried in the old Castor cemetery.

Robert Amander Koonce's second marriage was to (2) Ophelia Jane McInnis on April 14, 1886.  She was born on September 5, 1846; she died on January 26, 1922 in Castor, Bienville Parish, Louisiana and is buried in the old Castor cemetery.  They had the following child:
     1.  Oliver Koonce: He was born on January 25, 1888 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.  He died on September 12, 1914 in Castor, Louisiana and is buried in the old Castor cemetery.
Robert Amander Koonce died on January 26, 1922 in Castor, Bienville Parish, Louisiana and is buried in the old Castor cemetery in Castor (Note: This death date conflicts with the information above under Andrew Jackson Koonce that Robert Amander Koonce died in the Battle of Big Bertha during the Civil War).
     E.  Martha P. Koonce ("Matt"): She was born on February 12, 1842 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.  She married Levi Henson on November 16, 1858.  He was born in 1834 in Mississippi and died in 1915 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.  He is buried at the Camp Ground cemetery in Bienville Parish.  Martha P. Koonce died in 1920 and is buried at the Camp Ground cemetery in Bienville Parish, Louisiana. 
     F.  Eliza Rebecca Koonce: She was born on August 4, 1844 in Bienville Parish, Lousiana.  She married (1) Charles Henson on March 22, 1859 in Homer, Claiborne Parish, Louisiana. She married (2) Henry Haywood Daniel on January 25, 1868.  She died on December 23, 1919 at Mineral Wells, Texas.
     G.  Laura Ann Koonce: She was born on December 24, 1845 at Bienville Parish, Louisiana.  She married Elias Murphy on December 8, 1863.  She died on September 29, 1916 at Castor, Bienville Parish, Louisiana and is buried at the Ebenezer cemetery in Castor, Bienville Parish, Louisiana.
     H.  Susannah A. Koonce: She was born in 1848 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.  She married William H. Chandler on September 10, 1864.
     I.  Margaret Koonce: She was born in 1849 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.  She married (1) Thomas L. Murphy and (2) James L. Lester.
     J.  John L. Koonce: He was born in 1851 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.  He married Nancy Hill Canterberry on June 15, 1871.

Amander Koonce's second wife was (2) Rebecca C. Byas; they were married on January 28, 1855 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.  (Note: Paul Merritt says that Amander Koonce's second marriage was to his sister-in-law, Mrs. Rebecca (Byas) Leatherman on July 19, 1855).  Rebecca was born on June 3, 1822 in Alabama.  Her parents were Robert Byas and his wife, Winnie.  Rebecca's second husband was (2) Daniel Leatherman; they married on January 17, 1837.  She died on June 14, 1859 in Claiborne Parish, Louisiana.  Amander and Rebecca had the following children:
     A.  Philip H. Koonce: He was born in 1856 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.  He married Martha Izelia Jacobs.  Philip died on January 1, 1929 in Hornbeck, Vernon Parish, Louisiana and is buried in Beckom cemetery in Hornbeck, Vernon Parish, Louisiana.  (Note: Paul Merritt is putting up a tombstone for Philip H. Koonce and his wife, Martha Izelia Jacobs Koonce.  Martha was born in October 1846 and died on July 8, 1929.  It is recorded in the courthouse in Arcadia, Louisiana that Philip H. Koonce purchased land from Samuel Vance on February 17, 1887 for four bales of cotton).
     B.  George W. Koonce: He was born in 1858 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.  He married Sarah Jane Jacobs on September 19, 1874.  George W. Koonce and his descendants moved to Jackson Parish, Louisiana.  There are still Koonces living there.

(Note: Confusion exists regarding information I've received from sources regarding Amander Koonce's 2nd marriage....  Corrections will be made as clarification comes).

III.  Hellen English Koonce: She was born on August 18, 1810 in Lebanon, Wilson county, Tennessee.  She married Samuel Gibbs Leatherman on August 10, 1829 in Claiborne Parish, Louisiana.  He was born on April 18, 1799 in Shelby county, Kentucky.  He died on March 3, 1888 in Donahoe, Bell county, Texas and is buried in the Donahoe community cemetery..  S.G. Leatherman's parents were John Leatherman and Elizabeth (Graves).  Hellen died on January 16, 1879 in Donahoe, Bell county, Texas and is buried in the Donahoe cemetery alongside her husband.  S.G. and Hellen had the following children:
     A.  Themirah Tabitha Leatherman: She married Andrew Jackson McCasland ("Pike").
     B.  Adaline Amanda Leatherman (one source says "Amanda Adeline"): She married William Jasper Johnson.
     C.  Sarah Ann Leatherman: She married Jesrah Jacob Pruett ("Jake" or "Jacob".  Sarah was born in 1831 in Bell county, Texas.
     D.  Caroline Elizabeth Leatherman (one source says "Elizabeth Caroline"): She married John Pruett.  Elizabeth was born in 1840 in Bell county, Texas.
     E.  Francis Marion Leatherman: He married Elizabeth D. Halbert.  Francis was born in 1836 in Bell county, Texas.
     F.  Martha Ann Leatherman: She married Isaac Wilson.  Martha was born in 1838 in Bell county, Texas.
     G.  Eunice Ann Leatherman: She married Stacey M. McDaniel.  Eunice was born in 1841 in Bell county, Texas. 
     H.  Charlotte Jane Leatherman ("Lottie"): She married Grandison Royston Wallace (or Grandeson D. Wallace).  Charlotte was born on July 25, 1844 in Louisiana and died on July 16, 1898.
     I.  Jasper Newton Leatherman: He was born in 1838 in Bell county, Texas.
     J.  Jasper Gibbs Leatherman: He married Annette R. McDaniel.
     K.  Andrew Jackson Leatherman ("Jack"): He married Mary Jane (Monger) McKay ("Maizie").
IV.  Courtney Alison Koonce ("Count"): He was born in 1812 in Wilson county, Tennessee.  He married Rebecca Henderson in 1833 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.  They lived in Bienville Parish until the mid 1850s, then they moved to Texas.  They were living in Lavaca county near Halletsville, Texas in 1860, then soon after this they moved to Goliad county.  Rebecca died about 1870-80 in Goliad county, Texas.  Count died about 1893 and is buried in Goliad county, Texas.  They both are in unmarked graves.  Count and Rebecca had the following children:
     A.  Robert Henderson Koonce: He was born on September 6, 1833 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.  In 1856, he married Luanna A. Warren.  She was born on February 5, 1834 in Alabama and died on June 17, 1863 in Goliad county, Texas.  Robert died on July 19, 1902.  They had children.
     B.  Mary Ann Koonce: She was born on September 6, 1833 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.
     C.  Christopher Koonce: He was born in 1838 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.
     D.  Daniel Koonce: He was born in 1840 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.  In 1864, he married Sarah Frances New.
     E.  Amander Koonce: He was born in 1843 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.  He died on October 16, 1861 at Fort Brown, Brownsville, Cameron county, Texas.
     F.  Martha Koonce: She was born in 1845 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.
     G.  Josephine Koonce: She was born in 1847 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.
     H.  John Philip Koonce: He was born in April, 1849 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.  He married Tabitha Elvira New in 1869.  He died on February 21, 1922 in Goliad county, Texas and is buried in the Berclair cemetery in Goliad county.
     I.  Thomas Francis Koonce: He was born on July 29, 1851 in Halletsville, Lavaca county, Texas.  He married Pauline Cox.  He died and was buried in 1915 in Kennedy county, Texas.
     J.  Laura Koonce: She was born in 1854 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana and she died when she was young.
     K.  George Brooks Koonce: He was born on October 4, 1856 in Goliad county, Texas.  He married Emma Anice Cox on December 27, 1876 in Goliad county, Texas.  He died in 1915 in Burr, Wharton county, Texas and is buried at El Campo, Wharton county, Texas.
     L.  Ela Koonce: She was born in 1859 in Halletsville, Lavaca county, Texas; she died in infancy.

V.  James Carrol Koonce: He was born in 1815 in Wilson county, Tennessee.  He married Susannah C. Johnson ("Susan") about 1831-32.  She was born on May 8, 1824 in Quachita Parish, Louisiana; her parents were John and Sarah Johnson.  She died on March 6, 1904 in Shelby county, Texas and is buried in the White Rock cemetery in Shelby county.  James C. Koonce was granted a Homestead on May 6, 1854 in the Land Office at Nacogdoches, Texas.  He was a Baptist minister and preached for many years around the Melrose community.  During the Civil War, these parents had six sons to serve in the Confederate army, Co. A, 11th Texas infantry.  James Carrol Koonce died in 1889 and is buried at White Rock cemetery in Shelby county also.  They had the following children:
     A.  Christopher Columbus Koonce: He was born on May 30, 1833 in Union Parish, Louisiana.  He married Louisa A. Chandler on December 23, 1858.  Christopher lost a leg in the Civil War.  He died on March 24, 1915 in Gorman, Eastland county, Texas.  He is buried in Weaver cemetery in Gorman.  (Note: Source, Kate Bo, has records showing that Christopher Columbus Koonce and brother Amander Koonce bought land in Claiborne and Bienville Parish in the 1830s.  How did they get from Tennessee to Louisiana?).
     B.  John D. Koonce: He was born in 1836 in Union Parish, Louisiana.  He married Nancy Stewart on January 17, 1859 in Nacogdoches county, Texas.  He died in the Civil War between 1862-1864.
     C.  Thomas William Koonce: He was born on November 7, 1837 in Union Parish, Louisiana.  He married Nancy Jane Koonce on November 11, 1868.  He died between 1900 and 1910 in Van Zant county, Texas.
     D.  Daniel Koonce: He was born on November 12, 1839 in Union Parish, Louisiana.  He married Mary Jane Cooper on June 15, 1865 in Nacogdoches county, Texas.  He died on March 12, 1904 in Carthage, Panola county, Texas, and is buried at the Six Mile cemetery in Carthage, Panola county, Texas.
     E.  Sarah Koonce: She was born in 1842 in Union Parish, Louisiana; she died in infancy.
     F.  William J. Koonce: He was born on December 19, 1844 in Shelby county, Texas.  He married Elizabeth Ann Chandler ("Lizzie") on August 5, 1864 in San Augustine county, Texas.  He died between 1869 and 1900 in Attoyac Bottom, Louisiana.
     G.  Philip K. Koonce: He was born on July 19, 1846 in Union Parish, Louisiana.  He married Eliza Chandler ("Elsie") on October 10, 1869.
     H.  Amander Koonce ("Am"): He was born in July, 1850 in Nacogdoches county, Texas.  He married Margaret E. Wilkerson in 1875.  Amander died on June 13, 1915 in Toro, Louisiana.
     I. Lenora Koonce: She was born on June 24, 1852.  She married James C. Palmer on August 30, 1870.  Lenora died on June 2, 1888 in Shelby county, Texas and is buried in the White Rock cemetery in Shelby county.
     J.  George William Koonce: He was born on October 24, 1855 in Shelby county, Texas.  He married Frances Marie Cooper ("Fannie") on August 30, 1875.
     K.  Texann A. Koonce: (One source says her name is Susan Texana Koonce).  She was born on January 16, 1857 in Shelby county, Texas.  She married James Calvin Hammers.  She died on February 23, 1916 in Shelby county, Texas and is buried in the Good Hope cemetery in the same county.
     L.  Courtney Koonce: She was born on October 16, 1860 in Shelby county, Texas.  She was buried in the White Rock cemetery in Shelby county, Texas on October 16, 1952.

VI.  George B. Koonce: He was born in 1816 in Wilson county, Tennessee.  He married a girl named Martha about 1834-35.  He died after 1880.  They had the following children:
     A.  George Washington Koonce: He was born on November 2, 1835 in Claiborne Parish.  He married Mary Hearn ("Polly") on January 4, 1858 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.  He died on January 25, 1923 in Edgerley, Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana and is buried in the Big Woods cemetery in Edgerley.
     B.  Anna M. Koonce: She was born in 1838 in Claiborne Parish, Louisiana.
     C.  Holly Elizabeth Koonce: She was born in 1843 in Claiborne Parish, Louisiana.  She married Isaac A. Walker on June 18, 1857 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.  He was born in 1838 in Mississippi and died in the Civil War.  His parents were Asa George Walker and Susan Lurany Carpenter.  Family tradition said that Isaac made his younger brother William promise that if he did not come back from the war, that he would marry Holly.  True to his word, William married Holly.  William was born on September 30, 1839 in Mississippi.  He married Holly on May 5, 1865 in Calcasieu Parish, Lousiana.  After he and Holly married, they moved to Montgomery county, Texas and raised a large family.  Holly's descendants kept five Civil War letters from Isaac to her and her father from the battleground at Vicksburg, Mississippi.  Isaac and Holly had children.
     D.  Mary Ann Koonce: She was born on October 26, 1845 in Claiborne Parish, Lousiana.  She married John Jackson Walker.  She died on April 29, 1930 in Montgomery county, Texas.
     E.  Adline E. Koonce: She was born in 1847 in Claiborne Parish, Louisiana.  She married T.J. Ray in 1884 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.
     F.  Philip B. Koonce: He was born in 1848 (My source said 1748, but I think it's a mistake) in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.  He married Rebecca Williams on June 13, 1872 in Van Zant county, Texas.
     G.  Missouri Koonce: She was born in 1858 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.

VII.  Philip Koonce: He was born on July 7, 1822 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.  He married Elizabeth Drinkard on November 18, 1845.  She was born on April 17, 1823 and died on April 1, 1893 in Anacoco, Vernon Parish, Louisiana.  She is buried alongside her husband.  Philip first settled in Alberta, Louisiana and from there he moved to Sparta, Bienville Parish, Louisiana.  In 1859, he headed for Texas to join his two brothers there.  He stopped five miles east of Haddens Ferry - the east fork of Sandy Creek near the very spot where old Good Hope Church now stands.  He saw some fine looking land there and decided to stay.  A family argument soon followed as Elizabeth, his wife, wanted to go on to Texas, but Philip wanted to stay there by the beautiful stream.  Philip won; they pitched their tent and lived there for forty years.  He went to Natchitoches and entered a whole section of land and soon began clearing fields and building houses.  When Vernon Parish was made a parish, Philip Koonce was the first president of the parish board of education.  He taught some in the public schools, but primarily he was a farmer.  He was also a great churchman and he helped to build the old Good Hope Baptist Church and was one of its strongest supporters.  In 1899, Philip moved to Ft. Jessup with his son John and lived there until his death.  Philip died on March 5, 1902 in Anacoco, Vernon Parish, Louisiana and is buried in Beach Grove cemetery in Anacoco, Vernon Parish, Louisiana.  They had the following children:
     A.  Mary Jane Koonce: She was born on August 17, 1846 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.  She married Cullen F. Conerly on March 3, 1870.  She died on January 20, 1904 in Vernon Parish, Louisiana.
     B.  Cora Elizabeth Koonce: She was born on June 12, 1848 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.  She married W.Y. Moore in October, 1872.
     C.  Lenora Hollan Koonce: She was born on March 25, 1850 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.  She married Lud J. Nash on July 31, 1883.  They had children.
     D.  Sarah Ann Koonce: She was born on June 29, 1852 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.  She died on March 4, 1864 in Anacoco, Vernon Parish, Louisiana and is buried in the Beach Grove cemetery in that town.
     E.  James Philip Koonce: He was born on November 18, 1855 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.  He married Lillie Z. Burr on November 18, 1880.  He died on June 19, 1947 in Anacoco, Vernon Parish, Louisiana and is buried in the old Anacoco cemetery in that town.
     F.  William Allen Koonce: He was born on September 26, 1857 at Bienville Parish, Louisiana.
     G.  Benjamin Franklin Koonce: He was born on July 24, 1860 in Sabine Parish, Louisiana.  He married Josephine Franklin ("Phenie") (Source lists marriage date as same as his birthday).  She was born on August 26, 1875 and died on November 21, 1939.  Benjamin Franklin Koonce died on November 6, 1924.  They had children.
     H.  David Brandon Koonce ("Dave"): He was born on July 2, 1854 in Sabine Parish, Louisiana.  He married Sobelia P. Kay.  She was born on May 4, 1877 and died on May 8, 1963.  He died on October 18, 1944 in Louisiana.  They had children.
     I.  Jerucia Ellen Koonce: She was born on August 8, 1862 in Sabine Parish, Louisiana.
     J.  John Christopher Ellington Koonce: He was born on July 24, 1866 in Sabine Parish, Louisiana.  He married Emma Youngblood in 1885.  He died on June 14, 1927 in Sabine Parish,  Louisiana.

Christopher and Polly (Brinson) Koonce were granted dismissal letters from Mt. Olivet Baptist Church in September, 1816.  They had served their Lord and church well, Christopher having given the land and helped build the church; he also served as deacon and treasurer.  Now he felt that it was time to extend his horizons further West.  The first record of Christopher Koonce in Louisiana was when he attended his sister-in-law, Sarah Brinson's marriage to Alexander F. Nelson on February 28, 1819 in Quachita Parish.

Christopher and Polly, along with members of her family and several friends, settled on tracts of land in Claiborne Parish, Louisiana (the part that later became Bienville Parish).  They built their homes from the forest, they cleared the land and planted their crops, built grist mills, saw mills, roads and carved out a civilization in the wilderness.  The women wove the materials with their spinning wheels, made the clothing, tended the children, did the cooking over open fires and helped to provide the finer things in life for their families.

Providence Church was constituted on June 11, 1823 near Athens, Louisiana, of which Christopher and Polly were charter members.  They lived near the church and did a great deal in helping to organize it.  Polly Koonce died soon after this and is probably buried near here in an unmarked grave.

Christopher Koonce's second wife was (2) Martha Williams; they had no children.  Christopher and Martha (Williams) and their son Philip (from Christopher's first marriage) moved to Saline, Louisiana and there they helped to organize the Old Saline Baptist Church.  It was constituted on September 7, 1844 and there were 61 charter members.  The first pastor was George Washington Baines, the great grandfather of Lyndon Baines Johnson.  Several of Christopher's children and grandchildren were members of this church.  Christopher Koonce died shortly after this time, and his son Philip Koonce was the administrator of his estate in February, 1845.

Sources:
1. Ms. Jewell Pool (a major source of information).
2. Maurine Parker: maurineParker@aol.com
3. Paul Merritt: agent77y@yahoo.com (Great great grandson of Amander Koonce).
4. Kate Bo: DODSONALIENS@aol.com (Great grandmother is Louisa Kathryn Koonce).
5. Sheila Koonce: hutchison8@aol.com (Descendant of Christopher Koonce and Mary Ann Brinson).


Notes:
1.  Louisa Kathryn Koonce (daughter of Andrew Jackson Koonce, son of Amander Koonce): The great grandmother of Kate Bo has information on the 15 children of Louisa Koonce. 
2.  "Christopher and Polly Koonce had several daughters.  There may have been a couple we don't know the names of yet"- Maurine Parker (2-20-2000).