Manor, Texas - Past and Present - Parts and Pieces : THE EPPRIGHTS

George Jacob was the fifth child of David and Mary Ann Eppright. He was born March 2, 1854; eight years after they had moved to Texas. Usually known as G. J. or "Jake", he would have as much, arguably more, influence on the development of Manor as all of the other Epprights.

George and Ann Reid "Nannie" Harris were married November 18, 1880 in Travis County. She was born in Louisa County, Virginia.

TRAVIS COUNTY MARRIAGE RECORD BOOK 5, PAGE 319

Between the years of 1881 and 1905, fourteen children would be born to them.

Frederic Gillespie (1881-1922

Athlyn E. (1882-1962)
Cecil Dennis (1884-1957)
Charles Chaplin (1885-1974)
Jane Mary (1887-1981)
John Thomas (1888-1981
Clodius Harris (1890-1969)
Lucy (1892-1971)
Katherine Elizabeth (1894-1945)
George David (1896-1910)

Edward Everett (1898-1989)
Ben Russell (1900-1989)
George J. (1903-1998)
Nannie Belle (1905-1986)

G. J. is shown in school records as a Freshman at Roanoke College, Salem, Virginia in 1875. Newspaper accounts relate that in June, 1877 George was awarded medals for his outstanding abilities in the area of mathematics.

ROANOKE DISPATCH - JUNE 16, 1877

Subsequent records list him as an alumni, having graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1878. He is also described as a "breeder and importer of livestock from Manor, Texas."

ROANOKE COLLEGE BULLETIN

On November 30, 1876 David and Mary Ann Eppright signed deeds giving portions of their land to their five surviving adult children. Each one received acreage valued at $4000.

At this time, 22 year old Jake received 465 acres of land, mostly in the Gilleland Creek area, a short distance west of Manor. The deed for land given to each individual stated "...for and in consideration of the natural love and affection which we cherish for..."

The deed for Jake's land stated, "This land is conveyed to the said George J Eppright as an advancement to him out of our community estate and which we estimate as being now worth $4000."

TRAVIS COUNTY DEED RECORD 36, PAGE 462

Later, on July 1, 1886 Jake purchased an additional 441 3/4 acres from David for a payment of $4000. On January 1, 1891 Jake paid David $630 for 18 3/4 more acres, giving him a total of 926 acres.

Although he had many acres to choose from, in a few years Jake would build his house on what was said to be the highest elevation on his land, known locally as Eppright Hill.

Travis County deed records show G. J. Eppright as one of three trustees for Manor Baptist Church in 1890.

TRAVIS COUNTY DEED RECORD 99, PAGE 101

In 1894 Jake purchased an well drilling rig and began to drill for water atop Eppright Hill.

AUSTIN DAILY STATESMAN, FEBRUARY 5, 1894

When he succeeded in this endeavor, in 1895 the town of Manor formed an artesian well company, raised funds and then hired him to drill the first well in Manor.

AUSTIN WEEKLY STATESMAN, JANUARY 30, 1896

In 1897 Jake was advertising as an "Artesian Well Contractor" in newspapers.

HOUSTON DAILY POST, JUNE 1, 1897

That same year Jake began construction on a two-story house on the top of Eppright Hill.

AUSTIN WEEKLY STATESMAN, APRIL 8, 1897

HOUSE ON EPPRIGHT HILL (photo provided by Jim Leigh)

The Eppright house with Ben Eppright in the front yard (photo provided by Ann Milam)

Records of the American Shorthorn Breeders Association list his many accomplishments in the breeding of cattle in the 1890's and early 1900's.

AMREICAN SHORTHORN BREEDERS ASSOCIATION - 1896

He is also shown to be a breeder of hogs in records of The American Berkshire Association.

AMERICAN BERKSHIRE ASSOCIATION 1906

The American Kennel Club also records him as a dog breeder.

AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB - 1913

Travis County Deed Record F, page 370 records the sale of "5 1/4 acres more or less" by Jake Eppright to Travis County for $510 on March 5, 1898. This acreage was a continuous strip 40 feet wide running from the northwest corner to the southwest corner of the 640 acre James Manor headright survey. This strip of land was to be used for a road going south from Manor. It would become known as Blue Bluff Road.

1940 AERIAL PHOTO SHOWING BLUE BLUFF RD

On July 13, 1906 the Travis County Commissioners Court considered a petition that read as follows;

“G J EPPRIGHT - Petition to lay water pipe

And now on this day came on to be heard the petition of G.J. Eppright asking permission to lay water pipes or mains in the public road from the town of Manor to his place about one mile S.W. of Manor, and the same having been considered by the Court, it is ordered that said petition be and is hereby granted, provided that said pipe be laid sufficiently underground and in such manner as not to obstruct or damage or in any manner injure the said public road, the Court reserving the right to have the same removed for cause to be considered and judged by the entire Court, and that thirty days notice be given said Eppright of the Court’s order to have the same removed.”

Whether or not this pipe was ever laid is still undetermined at this time

TRAVIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT MINUTES J, PAGE 592

George Jacob (Jake) Eppright died August 10, 1910 at the age of 56. The Austin American Statesman said, "In his death Manor has been deprived of a good and useful citizen, whose work in the school, the church, and all things pertaining to the good of the town will be greatly missed."

Nannie Harris Eppright died May 14, 1939 at the age of 78. Her death certificate lists coronary thrombosis (probably a heart attack) and hypertension (high blood pressure) as the cause.