Mary Ann Moreland lived in Prairie Grove, Texas, in the mid 19th century. Her sister, Elizabeth, was the mother of Demetrius M. Bass, who died an untimely death in Socorro, New Mexico, in March 1862 from wounds received in Arizona during the Battle of Valverde in February 1862. Mary Ann Moreland was married to Joseph Moreland, a small storeowner in Fairfield. The Morelands raised and took care of a young black orphan girl, a granddaughter of slaves in Alabama. Additionally, Mary Ann and Joseph Moreland had a son, L. L. Moreland.
The Moreland-Bass Family Papers, 1855-1869, consist of Moreland and Bass family correspondence concerning the death of Demetrius Bass in the Civil War, conditions in Texas, and Mary Ann Moreland’s concern for a young black woman in her care. Additionally, the collection includes a power of attorney for the sale of Alabama lands as well as part of Demetrius Bass’ last will. Two lengthy letters from Mary Ann Moreland to her sister Elizabeth inform her of her son Demetrius’ last wishes, and the kindness of a Mrs. Shaw, a missionary woman who looked after him in the hospital. Furthermore, one letter from L. L. Moreland to Demetrius Bass, his cousin, pertains to the Texas Debt Bill of 1855 and to the question of using the state school fund for internal improvements.
The collection is open for research.
Moreland-Bass Family Papers, 1855-1869, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin.
This collection is unprocessed. Contact repository for more information.
Basic processing and cataloging of this collection was supported with funds from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) for the Briscoe Center’s