Page 15 - Foy

much about their family lines Elouise began to search through cemetaries in
Limestone County for clues. Also, many older cousins and aunts were questioned.
After checking any little lead the family tree began to grow new branches until the
tree was a towering spectacle.

The Foy lines presented quite a lot of questions, and it was not until a cousin of Ruby
Foy Beard gave her a treasure box of documents that she found the papers that lead
to BENJAMIN FRANKLIN FOY. Robert Henry Foy, son of Benjamin Franklin Foy,
was Ruby Foy Beard’s father. Benjamin’s discharge from the U.S. Army after the
Mexican War (1848) gave Benjamin’s birthplace, Bibb County, Georgia. U.S. census

records in 1840 of that county listed LEWIS FOY, born in North Carolina with wife,
BATHSHEBA LIPSEY and three younger children; Robert Henry Foy, BENJAMIN
FRANKLIN FOY and Georgia Ann Foy.

By checking with the Foy researchers she had come to know in thirty years she was
able to trace LEWIS FOY, a cripple, to JAMES FOY, SR, his father. The will of
JAMES FOY, SR and the age of LEWIS FOY in the census, plus a Land Lottery
Record in Georgia records giving LEWIS FOY a parcel of Cherokee land, confirmed
LEWIS as JAMES FOY SR’s son.

Already documented was the fact that JAMES FOY SR was a wealthy plantation
owner in North Carolina and his immigrant grandfather was named FRANCIIS FOY.

The great satisfaction of completing the American Foy line was an overwhelming joy.
Not only did she continue to add to the Foy history, but ended with 120 grandparents
in all her lines. And as searching declined interest in putting tombstones on these

grandparents graves continues. Elouise also holds memorials at the small cemeteries
to raise money to keep them clean and neat. She has placed 15 tombstones in
Limestone County, Texas.

There’s a family tree
surrounding me,
Reminding me
that I do not live alone.

And in my darkest hour
In my greatest time of need
I’m strengthened by
the roots of my family tree.

Preface 4