Isaac Casner

1790 – October 16, 1848

 

Isaac was born in Mifflin County Pennsylvania.  There has always been speculation of Jewish ancestry but there is no proof either way.  He and his brother Jacob migrated west with their families.  On the way, Isaac’s son Martin Casner was born in Tennessee.  Eventually they came to Texas.

 

Isaac was a resident of Steven F. Austin’s "Austin's little colony" in 1827.  He was a Private in the Army of the Republic of Texas in Company C. Rangers under Col. Coleman ( 17 Oct 1835 - 17 Oct 1836).  He was under Capt. Andrews until 20 Jan 1837  (Same unit. Col. Coleman was relieved of his command).  He got an Honorable Discharge on 17 Oct 1837.   For his service to Texas during the Revolution, he received a land grant of 1280 acres of land in present day Burnet County on 8 Nov 1837 (#191).  He traded that land for a Spanish pony and a saddle!

 

He built his homestead in Hornsby Bend (about 4 miles NW of the new Tesla Gigafactory in Austin).

 

Isaac died in Williamson County Texas.

 

 

 

 

Original Isaac Casner land grant from the Texas General Land Office.  Isaac got  1280 acres (tract #401) in Burnet County. The western border is the Colorado River.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The orange line demarks tract 401 superimposed on Google Earth in 2017.  In 1937, Buchanan Dam was created which dammed off the Colorado River (light blue line) to create Lake Buchanan.  This submerged a lot of the tract but created miles of high dollar lake front property on the eastern shore of the lake, including Morgans Creek and Adams Creek.

 

 

Isaac got another land tract in Bastrop County just north of Elgin.

In 2022, the combined value of this tract is over $10.5 million.  These parcels are still referred to as “Isaac Casner.

 

The text below is taken from internet genealogy sites

 

6. Isaac Casner (Jacob Sr.1) was born about 1783 in Pennsylvania. USA, died on 16 Oct 1848 in Blufton, Llano Co., TX about age 65, and was buried in Texas?.

General Notes: Documents listing the spelling of the family name as Cashner,Casner,Cosner, Karsner, Kerschner, Kersner, Kirschner.

In all references made about Isaac Casner his place of birth is listed as PA. The first mention of him was found in the marriage lines of Isaac Costner to Easter Delaney November 17, 1802 in Greene Co., TN. They had a son, Martin, born in 1815 and a daughter, Cynthia, born in1816. Isaac was listed on a tax list in Kingston , TN in 1815. There is no record of what happened to Easter or when she died. In John Delaney's will he states his daughter Easter's daughter shall draw Easter's portion of his estate. The Chancery Court Minutes of February1850 states the children of Easter Cavener, wife of Isaac Cavener -both dec'd, residence of ch. unknown shall receive her 1/12th portion of her brother David Delaney's estate. David died in 1839 intestate &single. Nancy Casner died without leaving a will and in a petition filed by Elihu E. Casner in listing the siblings, he refers to Martin and Cynthia Casner as being of the half blood.

James Hope and Isaac Casner were appointed guardians of the minor children of George Cook who died at "Mobile". The children were Caty &Mary who were of age in 1815, and John, George, Reuben and Elizabeth Cook who were minors and that Isaac married Mary Ann Cook at a later date. The date of the guardianship proceedings is not clear. The marriage date of Isaac to Mary Ann Cook was 12/03/1817. In 1819 Isaac sold his land in Roane Co. In1822, in Morgan Co., AL Isaac bought land. Isaac Casner arrived in Texas from Alabama with his wife and children in June 1831 and resided with John Cattleman while waiting to be admitted into the Stephen F. Austin Little Contract of 1827. Isaac received 1 league (4428.4 acres) of land October30, 1832 above the San Antonio River and joining Bastrop (can't read word). Isaac was listed as 47 years of age, wife Mary 30 years of age, 2male and 2female children.

Isaac served in the Spanish War for the Republic of Texas in company C under the command of Col. Coleman from October 17, 1836 until January20,1837. After that he served under Captain Andrews until his discharge at Fort Houston October 17, 1838. He was granted 1280 acres of land for his service since there were no funds to pay the men. Isaac traded his grantfor a horse and saddle from Thomas G Mehee. When the land was actually granted March 22, 1853 in Burnett County, Isaac was deceased and the land was transferred from Isaac's estate.

Isaac was listed on the first Tax Roll for the Republic of Texas forTravis County in 1840. To vote he had to travel to Austin which was a6hour trip. Names appearing on the 1846 tax roll were Isaac, James,and Martin Casner. Through the years Isaac had land in Bastrop Co., Burnett Co., Travis Co., and Hamilton Co.

In a Texas Historian article "The Casners Came to Texas" it states that Isaac had five children and names Jason as one. This is incorrect. That information was taken from an 1850 census. Jason was the son of Isaac's brother Jacob. That relationship is stated in a petition made by Jacob to the courts when his son Jason died. At the time of the 1850 census, Isaacwas deceased and Jason was living on Isaac's property helping with the farming. Isaac's 3 older children were married and established in their own households.

From Isaac Casner will dated June 8, 1847:

Son Martin: one hundred sixty acres of land on the San Gabriel to be taken out of the McDivill survey

Son-in-law Robert W. Montgomery and to his heirs: land in Comanche and cattle or stocks of every description which I have already here to fore put him in possession of, which is to be his entire portion of my estate

Son Hiram: one hundred seventy acres of land, it being the same on which I now reside, together with the improvements of every description thereon

Sons James Casner and Elihu Casner, and to my two daughters Nancy Ann Casner and Mary Elizabeth Casner: equal fourths of all my estate both real and personal not heretofore disposed of.

To my wife Mary Casner to have, hold, and exercise complete (unreadable)of my Homestead bequeathed to Hiram and during her natural lifetime or until she may marry, which it is to become the bonafide property of my said son Hiram.

In 1810, Gardenhire bought 1500 acre tract, and two 500 acre tracts from James Glasgow, and a 280 acre tract from Alexander Mahan in 1809 (E,p33). In 1808, he sold (C, p. 188) 61 acres to Joseph Moore which may have included the mill site; 640 acres in 1818 to Isaac Casner; and he sold to Charles Welcker in 1832, to Michael Arnold, Sr. (D, p 156) 148acres in1813; and to (his son) Andrew J. Gardenhire in 1839 (G. p 733)280 acres on Poplar Creek.

 

In STEPHEN F. AUSTIN'S REGISTER OF FAMILIES it says " 1828 July 27,Andrew L. Castleman, single, 1/4 league at the lower side ofMcGintyPrairie provided it had not been previously selected by Cottle.#211 Andrew L. Castleman, 21, single, Missouri 1825 Delivered to his brother because of his death." Michael Castleman, same words as above where Andrew is entered. "Isaac Casner from Alabama, 1 wife and 5children arrived in June 1835.Is to be admitted if there is room after 15Decr. Lives with John Castleman."

 

Source of Information: The Evolution of a State by Noah Smithwick-Austin, Texas 1968;

 

- - The government bought a lot of United States army clothing, consisting of pantaloons and runabouts, which were sent up to Coleman for the rangers. As it was all rather under size, we agreed to distribute it by lots, an arrangement which was productive of some laughable results.

Issac Casner, who tipped the beam at 200, got a suit that would have been a snug fit for a man of 140#. As the old fellow couldn't begin to get into them he took them on his arm and went around among the boys trying to effect an exchange. We all liked Uncle Isaac and the largest suits of the lot were brought out. He tried them one after another, but like the"contraband's" song, "they didn't go half way around," and but for the ingenuity of Mrs. Casner, the old man's suit would have been a total loss. Clothes were scarce, though, so Mrs. Casner ripped open the outside seams of the pantaloons and set in stripes to extend them to the necessary dimensions, also setting a stripe down each sleeve and in the center of the jacket, with a false front to expand it over his aldermanic proportions. A stranger would have taken him for commanding officer on account of his stripes. - -

 

Texas Historian - September 1977 - Pages 21-27 - "The Casners Came toTexas" by Jess Evans of Marfa, Texas High School provided the following information;

 

Isaac Casner arrived in Texas in June of 1832 with his wife MaryAnne and their five children lived with John Castleman, an acquaintance, until they could be admitted into Austin's fourth colony. Casner received the title from Mexican government on October 30, 1832, and located his league of land that is known today as Travis County, Texas. He built his cabin inthe Reuben Hornsby settlement, about ten miles from the present day of Austin, Texas. Frank Brown, a chronicler of the period, reports the date of Hornsby establishment as 1832, and states that a year later it was the last outpost on the upper Colorado River.

In 1836, five families lived in the vicinity of Hornsby settlement. In addition to the Hornsby, there was a Jacob Harrells, the Joseph Dutys,The Isaac Casners, and the J. F. Webbers. The Webbers became the family that gave their name to an area along the Colorado River between Austin and Bastrop that became known as Webber's Prairie (Webberville).

In the fall of 1836, Isaac hauled freight for the Republic ofTexas government camp at Camp Colorado. The records indicated he was hauling freight on credit, as he was not paid until November 6, 1837 for work performed in 1836. He was paid $276 for his services.

When conflict with Mexico appeared imminent, Casner enlisted in Company Co F the Republic of Texas Army. He entered the service under the commander of Colonel R. W. Coleman, whose company was mostly made up of adventurers.

On October 1836, Isaac received a contract from the Republic of Texas to buy seventy-five horses, saddles, bridles for the army. On the same day he sold a bay mare, bridle, and saddle to Colonel R. W. Coleman for $60, only receiving $20 as down payment and billing the government for the balance.

Isaac Casner received his honorable discharge from the Texas army on October 17, 1837. That one year of service entitled him to 1,280 acresof land, designated a bounty warrant. On November 20, 1837,Casner transferred his title for 1,280 acres to G. McGehee in return for one Spanish pony and a saddle. The land was on Morgan Creek in Burnet County, Texas which is now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Othal Davis of Burnet,Texas.

In addition, Isaac Casner received a head right of 175 acres in what is known now as Hamilton County, Texas. He traded the land, unseen, to Joseph Rodgers.

Isaac Casner returned to Webber's Prairie, after receiving his army discharge, to farm and ranch. On April 20, 1838, he sold beef to the Republic of Texas government for eight cents per pound to feed the Comanche Indians. The following month he sold an additional order for ten cents per pound paid by Captain V. B. Calmer, the Bastrop County Indian Agent.

After Issac Casner left the military, he lived in Hornsby residence, although the actual dates are undetermined. Records from the period are limited to his tax assessment, census data, and voting records. He was listed in 1838 as a taxpayer of Bastrop County. Travis County tax assessment from 1840 to 1846 indicated Isaac owned a substantial amount of cattle and property. He rendered his silver watch for taxes in1840,which carried a one dollar tax in Travis County. He was, also listed among the 356 who voted in an election on September 7, 1840 at the city of Austin to elect a representative to Congress of the Republic of Texas. He must have had deep interest in the election to ride horse back for five or six hours to vote in Austin.

Isaac Casner died in 1848, and his probate case was filed October16,1848. Of his pioneer figure, only a sketchy outline is discernible. Maryann, his widow, and five children are listed in the 1850WilliamsonCounty, Texas Census. The children are identified as Jason, Elihu Emory, Nancy Anne, Hiram, and Mary Elizabeth.

Isaac married Easter Delaney, daughter of John Delaney and Elizabeth, on 27 Nov 1802 in Greene Co., TN. Easter was born about 1782 in Greene Co., TN and died before Dec 1817.

Children from this marriage were:

+ 10 M i. Martin Casner was born on 11 May 1815 in Alabama, died on 13 Jul 1875 in Ballena, San Diego Co., CA at age 60, and was buried in Casner Road Cemetery Ballena, CA.

+ 11 F ii. Cynthia Casner was born in 1816 in Tennessee and died before 1848 in Travis Co., TX.

Isaac next married Mary Ann Cook, daughter of George Cook and Unknown, on 3 Dec 1817 in Roane Co., TN. Mary was born about 1800 in North Carolina and died in 1850 in Texas? about age 50.

Children from this marriage were:

+ 12 M i. James W. Casner was born on 24 Aug 1824 in Alabama and died on 27 Jun 1879 in Travis Co., TX at age 54.

+ 13 M ii. Elihu Emory Casner was born on 6 Aug 1827 in Alabama and died on 17 Jun 1871 in Llano Co., TX at age 43.

14 F iii. Nancy Ann Casner was born in 1836 in Texas? and died on 17 Jul 1852 in Blufton, Llano Co., TX at age 16.

+ 15 M iv. Hiram Casner was born on 21 Apr 1839 in Austin, Travis Co., TX and died on 25 Aug 1917 in Blufton, Llano Co., TX at age 78.

+ 16 F v. Mary Elizabeth Casner was born in 1841 in Texas?.