Research By Evelyn E. “Tonia” Holleman

Green Embry was born 1833 in Tennessee. He
married Violet who was also born in Tennessee around 1833. I have yet to find a
marriage; as slave marriages were not recorded. Their first two children, America
and Bessie, were born in Missouri. By the children’s birth years, it appears
the Slave owner was moving toward Texas where most of the Slave owners of the
south took their slaves before the Civil War; One of the reasons why one finds
so many people who were born in Texas, especially around our area. Caroline
Bessie Embry, born 1857 in Missouri. Bessie married William Wagoner. They were parents
of 10 children who were all born in Crawford County, Arkansas. They were:
Mattie, John, Annie, Charles, Emma, Russell, Wiese, Dota, James and Rena. Martella
Embry and Callie D. Embry were born in Texas, 1862 and 1864. Martella Embry
married Smith Agnew, April 08, 1880 in Crawford County, Arkansas. They were
parents of four sons, Walter, Andy, Dunn and Edward. Callie D. Embry was born
in 1864 in Crawford County. She married William Maxey, February 13, 1884. California
Embry was born in 1869 in Crawford County. General E. Embry was born 1873 in Crawford
County. General married Ada Jackson October 3, 1910. They were parents of three
children. The last child of Green and Violet Embry was Haze E. Embry. Haze was born
March 20, 1877 in Crawford County, Arkansas. As a young man, he moved to Lane
Hill, later it was called New Town. [New Town no longer exists as it once did with
a school, post office and several businesses. The New Town Road designates where
the thriving community once existed. The community is located east of Kibler, Arkansas].
He met and married on January 4, 1899, Miss Henrietta Parham, daughter of Rev. Douglas
and Sarah Agnew Parham. They were parents of 6 children. Sarah Elizabeth Embry
was born December 28, 1901 and died July 23, 1937. She is buried at Beal Cemetery,
Crawford County, Arkansas. Sarah married Elisha Griffin November 5, 1923. By
another marriage Elisha and Carrie Griffin had one child, a daughter they named
Marie. Elisha died on December 20, 1965 and is buried beside Sarahat Beal
Cemetery. Marie Griffin Steward lives in the New Town Community. A daughter,
Hazel Embry was born on June 3, 1904 and died March 22, 1982. She is also buried
at Beal Cemetery. Green E. Embry was named for his  Grandfather Green E. Embry who was a Corporal,
Company E, 54 United States Colored Infantry. Green was born May 5, 1906, and
married Ozora Willis on December 5, 1924 in Crawford County,  Arkansas. Green and Ozora did not have any
children. Green passed away on October 27, 1985 in Sebastian County. Ozora died
August 19, 1999; both are buried at Beal Cemetery. Humphrye P. Embry was born September
13, 1908 in New Town, Crawford County, Arkansas. She married Ed Batson on April
3, 1942 in Sebastian County, Arkansas. Humphrye Batson passed away on September
9, 2000 and is buried at Forest Park Cemetery, Fort Smith, Arkansas. Myrtle
Embry was born September 9, 1917 in New Town. She married Jesse Lee Roberts on  December 16, 1934. They were parents of Cleta,
Zelma Leona, Jesse Jr., and Palestine Roberts. Many of the descendents live in
Fort Smith and surrounding areas. The last child of Haze and Henrietta Embry
was Almetta who married Macy  Laster on
June 5, 1938. Almetta passed away on January 7, 2005. Macy and Almetta had 3
daughters; Alma, Betty and Oleta. Haze and Henrietta Embry were proud of their
children’s accomplishments. As  Haze
owned and operated a large farm. He was a stock owner and cattle raiser. In the
early years a gas well was drilled on his farm, it was brought in, and is still
in operation. As a Baptist Minister, he was the minister of the following Churches;
St Matthew Baptist Church, New Town for 28 years. New Prospect Baptist  Church, Shibley for23 years, Zion  Baptist Church at Alma, Arkansas for 10 years
and Macedonia Baptist Church for 8 years. Haze was a supporter of the Arkansas
Baptist College, individually and collectively. Here tired from the ministry on
November 23, 1957. His community service was one to never be forgotten as he
rendered service on the School Board of District Number 92, now part of the Van
Buren Public Schools, as President of the Board for several terms. He worked hard
for the consolidation of schools. Due to his efforts, a grant was given for a new
U.S. Mail Route through the community of New Town. As like his father, a Civil War
Veteran who fought for freedom and who lived long enough to see his son work
for the betterment of the community, rear a family and educate his family – a
service by Father Green Embry, Soldier of the Civil War and Son, Haze Embry, Minister
and father, should never be forgotten.