George Whitfield Crook & Hallie May Murchison

George Whitfield Crook & Hallie May Murchison

The Monroe-Crook House, 709 East Houston Ave., Crockett, TX

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The Greek revival residence was built in 1854 by Armistead Thompson Monroe, local merchant and great nephew of U.S. President James Monroe. The house reflected the style of homes in Virginia. Bricks between the inner and outer walls add insulation and strength. Heart oak lumber was brought from Shreveport for construction, and it was furnished with furniture from New York.

The Monroe family resided in the home until 1858 when David Coleman purchased the home and planted the gardens. The next owner was the A. A. Aldrich family, followed by the George W. Crook family that lived there from 1911 to 1969.

In 1963, Sara Macintosh Crook Bartlett willed ownership of the house to the people of Houston County. After her passing in 1969, the Women's Clubs of Crockett met in 1971, and formed a non-profit corporation for the preservation of the structure. The project was completed in 1974, and the house now serves as a museum.

1.

George Whitfield CROOK (Alford Barry CROOK², Jeremiah CROOK¹)
was born 19 Jan 1870 in Henderson, Chester Co., TN, and died 18 Nov 1954 in Crockett, Houston Co., TX, buried Evergreen Memorial Park, Crockett, Houston Co., TX.

He married Hallie May MURCHISON 11 Sep 1895 in Crockett, Houston Co., TX, daughter of Daniel McIntosh MURCHISON and Sarah Amanda ARLEDGE. She was born 8 Jan 1871 in Crockett, Houston Co., TX, and died 25 Mar 1942 in Crockett, Houston Co., TX, buried Evergreen Memorial Park, Crockett, Houston Co., TX.

Children of George Whitfield CROOK and Hallie May Or Harriet MURCHISON are:

2

  i.



Sarah McIntosh CROOK
was born October 13, 1898 Houston Co., TX and died July 19, 1969.

She married Charles Harral Bartlett.
He was born July 4, 1900 and died October 31, 1963. No children.

Both are buried Evergreen Memorial Park, Crockett, Houston Co., TX.

3
ii.
John Murchison CROOK was born 24 Jan 1900, and died 24 Jan 1900.

George W. Crook and brother Jeremiah M. Crook both moved to Houston Co., TX and were both Lawyers in Crockett.

The first one to move to Crockett was Jeremiah Mitchum Crook. He was married twice, first to Dora Blakely who died in 1887 and second to Narcissa "Narcie" H. Bayne 27 JUN 1901 in Crockett. He had one son by his first marriage, James Barry Crook born 1884. His children by his second wife were Elizabeth Crook and Jeremiah Crook, Jr.. Jeremiah left Crockett later and moved to Oklahoma. He became a Judge and later retired in Oklahoma City.

George W. Crook, twin to Lillian, left Tennessee as a young man and went to California and lived with his uncle, Judge George W. Smith, for about four years. He then moved to Crockett where he read law with his brother, Jeremiah. He married Hallie Murchison, daughter of D.M. & Sallie Murchison.

George Crook was a Mason, a Deacon and Sunday school teacher in the Baptist Church, and a member of the law firm of Aldrich and Crook in Crockett, specializing in land titles and abstracts of Houston County. He purchased the house at 707 E. Houston Avenue in 1911 that had been built in 1854 by A.T. Monroe.

After the death of Hallie and then George W. Crook, the house belonged to their daughter, Sarah Crook Bartlett.

Parents and Siblings of George Whitfield Crook:

1.

Alford Barry CROOK (Jeremiah CROOK¹) was born 16 Nov 1827 in Jack's Creek, , TN, and died 2 Mar 1876 in Henderson, Chester Co., TN. He married Mary Violet SMITH 21 Sep 1858 in , Henderson, TN, daughter of John Dickin SMITH and Belle DICKSON. She was born 8 Oct 1841.

Children of Alford Barry CROOK and Mary Violet SMITH are:

2   i. Jeremiah Mitchell CROOK was born 3 Nov 1861 in Henderson, Chester Co., TN, and died 9 Nov 1931 in Oklahoma City, OK.

3   ii. Robert Elliott CROOK was born 31 Oct 1863 in Henderson, Chester Co., TN, and died 1955.

4   iii. Alexander Barry CROOK was born 27 Dec 1865 in Henderson, Chester Co., TN, and died 30 Oct 1947.

5   iv. John Thomas CROOK was born 15 Jan 1868 in Henderson, Chester Co., TN, and died 24 Mar 1919.

6
  v.
Lillie Belle CROOK (twin to George Whitfield Crook) was born 19 Jan 1870 in Henderson, Chester Co., TN, and died 19 Feb 1938.

7
  vi.
George Whitfield CROOK was born 19 Jan 1870 in Henderson, Chester Co., TN, and died 18 Nov 1954 in Crockett, Houston, TX, USA.

8   vii. Joseph William CROOK was born 31 Dec 1872 in Henderson, Chester Co., TN, and died Nov 1912.

9   viii. Hattie May CROOK was born 31 May 1875 in Henderson, Chester Co., TN, and died 7 Mar 1948.

10   ix. Lulu Ellen CROOK was born 13 Dec 1859 in Henderson, Chester Co., TN, and died 1861.

Source information:

1900 Crockett, Houston Co., TX census:
CROOK, George W., Jan1870, 30, m5yrs, TN TN TN, Lawyer; Hallie M., wife, Jan1871, 29, TX MS AL; Sarah M., dtr., Oct1898, 2, s, TX; KING, Virginia M., servant, black, f, Feb1882, 18, s, TX