Cotton-Connection
Around 1938 Lee Esther met Henry Schaffer Cotton. Schafer was the youngest son of Tae Cotton and Jane Barrett.
The story told by her siblings is that-Lee Esther was abandon on Ernest Leonard Farm by her husband Lester Davis ( they weren't related) with 4 small children.
Nita Marie Davis-Timms
Robert Glenn Davis
Helen Louise Davis-Franklin
Gladys Davis Randall
Gladys who was toddler when Lee Esther met Schaffer. While on Leonard farm sharecropping Lester Davis leaves Lee Esther for her cousin who lived in Madisonville. Because of the share cropping arrangement each tenate had to work the crops to cover cost of housing.
Lee Esther was left alone to harvest the crops for a while her brother would help share the load of harvesting the crops.
Lee Esthers two brothers ALZ and John Davis Jr introduced schaffer to their sister and after that meeting schaffer begain dating and later married Lee Esther to which two children where born:
Rexie Dee Cotton- Boone
RL Cotton
Schaffer who was laborer was now stepfather to 4 children after marrying LeeEshter he fathered a daughter in October 1940-Rexie Dee Cotton
After which he-( schaffer) moved Lee Esther and Lester 4 children to Navosata were they stay for 2 years.
In March of 1942 Schaffer & Lee Esther had a son RL Cotton. In late 1942 Schaffer and LeeEsther relocated back to Madisonville bescause Schaffer was unable to maintain work, Lee Esther took employment at the Madisonville Bus Station as a Cook.
Lee Esther and Schaffer had no transporatation Lee Esther would walk 5 mile into Downtown Madisonville 6 days a week from 4:00AM until 5:00 PM.
Schaffer spent the major of his time socializing leaving Lee Esther the burden of supporting him and her 6 childern.
He would often take Lee Esther oldest children Nita and Robert to cotton fields to work and he would spend there earnings.
This took place until Nita Marie told her grandfather ( John Hunter Davis)- who was Lee Esther father-Nita told John Sr. that they weren't getting paid for the cotton they picked.
John Hunter Davis put stop to the situation by taking Nita and Robert with him to cotton fields.
Schaffer had a son before he married Lee Esther Davis. Genorse Cotton , mother was named Edith Johnson.
Genorse's mother was daugther of Henry B. Johnson and Omega R Retting. Genorse father was the son of Tae Cotton and Jane Barrett.
Genorse Cotton is the oldest son of Edith Johnson and Henry Schaffer Cotton. Genorse was born in Madisonville Texas July 29th 1934. When he was 5 years old Edith relocated to Abilene Texas. Genorse remained there until 1947 when the family relocated Arzonia.
In 1954 Genorse joined Army and served 3 years, also in 1954 Genorse Married Corine Sweat and they had 3 children
Also in 1968 Genose Cotton met and married Milded Bowen-Porter to join (1) daughter was born: Genasha Cotton-Sharpe was born September 27th, 1970.
Genorse Cotton is the oldest son of Edith Johnson and Henry Schaffer Cotton. Genorse was born in Madisonville Texas July 29th 1934. When he was 5 years old Edith relocated to Abilene Texas. Genorse remained there until 1947 when the family relocated Arzonia.
In 1954 Genorse joined Army and served 3 years, also in 1954 Genorse Married Corine Sweat and they had 3 children
- Brenda Faye Cotton born in April 21 1956
- Beth Ann Cotton born in July 26, 1958
- L (Kenny) Cotton born in November 8, 1960
- Trina D Cotton born July 22, 1965
- Rodney Cotton & () who is deceased, Rodney was born November 5th, 1968.
Also in 1968 Genose Cotton met and married Milded Bowen-Porter to join (1) daughter was born: Genasha Cotton-Sharpe was born September 27th, 1970.
