Josephine Fleming's oldest sister, Maldie.

     All of the siblings of Josephine Fleming have now been accounted for.  Including their spouses and children. Now we've made it to the oldest of the siblings. Maldonetta Cowan Buford, also known by her nickname, Maldie. She was born in 1836.  She is the only one of the Cowan children who was born in Blount County, Tennessee, in the town of Maryville before they moved to Eufaula, Alabama.

     Below is a portrait of Maldonetta Cowan.

     On March 22, 1854 Maldonetta married Samuel Wallace, (Born 1831). He was the youngest son of General William Wallace and Margaret Chamberlain. 

Below marriage recorded in Eufaula, Alabama:

     General Wallace was commissioned in the War of 1812.  After the war, General Wallace was elected Sheriff of Blount County, Tennessee. He served as Sheriff from 1820 - 1842.

     Below is a portrait of General William Wallace. He and his wife had 7 children, one of which was their youngest, Samuel, who later marries Maldonetta Cowan.

     Here's a notice that "Sheriff Wallace" puts in the newspaper regarding the sale of land that will take place at the courthouse.

     Below: Gen. William Wallace announces his candidacy for Presidential Elector.

     Below: General William Wallace wrote a letter to his friend and soon-to-take-office, President James Polk. Sends his regrets for being unable to be more active in the election.  Explains illness and the death of his wife soon after the election.

     Then later, more sad news is received that after only 13 months of marriage, Maldonetta's husband, Samuel died. He died on April 19, 1855. The cause is not know to me. I've looked everywhere possible and can find no cause of death. Then after the passing of some five years, Maldie marries her second husband, James Buford on June 14, 1859.  James Buford was half brother to Jefferson Buford. 

     Below Portrait of Jefferson Buford.

     Yes, there is a story when it comes to Jefferson Buford.  There are many connections to the Cowan family and beyond. Let's start with Jefferson Buford though, He served in the Creek Indian War of 1836 (This is when they ran most of the Creek Indians out of this area of Alabama). But he is more famed for the "Buford Expedition To Kansas". He was a Barbour County lawyer best known for attempting to move pro-slavery settlers into Kansas territory during the mid-1850's to ensure slavery wouldn't be outlawed in the state as it entered the Union. He was also owned a plantation with slaves of his very own and it was located on the Chattahoochee River. This is the same river that the town of Eufaula is situated on. 

     Jefferson Buford was a partner in one of the most successful law firms in Alabama, located in Clayton. (Barbour County) He was partners with, Senator James L. Pugh, and Edward C. Bullock. If you recognize those names it's because I've already mentioned that James Pugh is the brother to Anna S. Pugh Cowan, Josephine and Maldonetta's Mother.  As for Edward C. Bullock, he was a brilliant and successful attorney leading up to the Civil War. He served as a Colonel during the war. Our county is named after him. Bullock County was carved out and created for the purpose of honoring him Edward Bullock. Parts of Macon, Pike, Montgomery, and Barbour counties were given up in order to form a new county and named in his honor. 

     Maldonetta's soon-to-be husband, James Buford, graduated college at Columbia, South Carolina. He returned to Eufaula after graduation and spent some time studying law, and learning before he subsequently attended a law school in New Orleans. James graduated law school in 1852 and was admitted to the Alabama Bar in the same year.  James then returns again to Eufaula and becomes the editor of "The Spirit of the South" newspaper, prior to and during the Civil War.  

      Then on a sunny day in June of 1859, (The same year her Father passed away.), a Barbour County Justice of the Peace joined James McClure Buford and Maldonetta Cowan Wallace in holy matrimony.  By this time, James was 35 years old and Maldie, just 23 years old was about 12 years younger than him. 

     The Bufords didn't waste any time starting their large family. Maldie was a baby making machine, giving birth to 8 healthy children. Here are their names:
William Cowan Buford - (Names after her recently deceased father)
Carrie Elise Buford
Jefferson Pugh Buford
Annie Ester Buford
Rosa Theresa Buford- (Named after 2nd youngest sister)
LeRoy Eaves Buford
Mary Melton Buford- (Named after a sister that died as a baby.)
Emily Alexander Buford-(Also named after a sister who died,)

     Now, back to James. When the war was over the paper he'd been editor of had now changed it's name to "The Eufaula News". James remained the editor of that paper until 1874. I guess he was still practicing law while being the editor. He may have practiced at his brother's law firm at least until November of 1883, when he moved himself and his family to Atlanta where he practiced law at a firm there for about five years.  At some point around May of 1887, it appears that Alabama must have been calling him home for an opportunity, this time in Decatur, Alabama.  So, once again, the family uprooted from Atlanta and moved to Decatur.

     This is where I lose the family's whereabouts. There is a period of time that I can't completely account for. Some how the Bufords wind up in Portland, Oregon. Why? That's a good question. I don't know when they went, what they were doing there or how long they stayed. Well, maybe I know how long she stayed. Maldie passed away in 1899 at the age of 63. She is buried at River View Cemetery, there in Portland. 
Here's her grave marker below:

     Maldie's husband, James died just a few short years later on May 10, 1904. He was laid to rest in Evergreen Cemetery in Los Angeles, California. Maldie and James were married for 40 years. Though they may be buried so far apart, I have a feeling their still together. 

     I wish I had more information about Maldonetta, but like most of the Cowan sisters, they must have been contented in staying out of the limelight. They each married successful men who went to work and provided for the family. But the Cowan women were strong and smart at running the home and caring for the children, seeing to their education, teaching manners, teaching them to respect authority and elders, and teaching them to pray and to always be thankful. It was a full time job that required strength, self discipline, and faith. The Cowan sisters were raised with good values, lived virtuously, were deeply committed to their faith, served in their churches, and honored their husbands. They were role models to their children in hopes they would also grow up to be good adults. I think that's a great way to be. 

     Well that's all for this post. Coming up in the next post is very exciting. I will be updating what new and wonderful information I now have about Lola J. Fleming. (The only child to Robert and Josephine Fleming, of the Josephine Hotel.) I have several photos I have received from the Great Grandaughter of Lola.  She graciously shared them with me so I could share them with you, my readers. So stay tuned. You're gonna love them.