Briscoe, Andrew Birdsall, 1841-1912

Andrew Birdsall Briscoe "Brits" was born in Harrisburg, Texas, in 1841, the second son of Andrew Briscoe and Mary Jane Harris. After his father's death in 1849, he lived with his mother and siblings for a time on his grandfather's plantation near Port Gibson, Mississippi. In 1852 Mary Jane and her children returned to Texas, living in Anderson, Galveston, and Harrisburg. During the Civil War, Briscoe saw action as a member of Terry's Texas Rangers. In 1871 he married Annie Payne and they had four children: Carrie, Mary Payne "Mamie", Birdsall Parmenas, and Payne. The Briscoes kept a store in Harrisburg and then moved to a ranch near Goliad. Annie died in 1891, probably of consumption. Briscoe sold the ranch and moved into San Antonio. In 1895 he remarried "Zaidee" and moved to Floresville where he established himself in banking. A 1902 run on the bank resulted in his financial failure. Briscoe lived in San Antonio in his later years. He was interested in Confederate Veterans organizations and the work of his family in the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. He died in 1912.

From the description of Andrew Birdsall Briscoe family papers, 1851-1919. (San Jacinto Museum of History). WorldCat record id: 50131725

Andrew Birdsall Briscoe Brits was born in Harrisburg, Texas, in 1841, the second son of Andrew Briscoe and Mary Jane Harris. After his father's death in 1849, he lived with his mother and siblings for a time on his grandfather's plantation near Port Gibson, Mississippi. In 1852 Mary Jane and her children returned to Texas, living in Anderson, Galveston, and Harrisburg. During the Civil War, Briscoe saw action as a member of Terry's Texas Rangers. In 1871 he married Annie Payne and they had four children: Carrie (1871), Mary Payne Mamie (1874), Birdsall Parmenas (1876-1971), and Payne (1881). The Briscoes kept a store in Harrisburg then moved to a ranch near Goliad. Annie died in 1891, probably of consumption. Briscoe sold the ranch ca. 1890 and moved into San Antonio. In 1895 he remarried Zaidee and moved to Floresville where he established himself in banking. A 1902 run on the bank resulted in his financial failure. Briscoe lived in San Antonio in his later years. He was interested in Confederate Veterans organizations and the work of his family in the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. He died in 1912.

From the guide to the Andrew Birdsall Briscoe family papers MC093. 50131725., 1851-1919, (Albert and Ethel Herzstein Library, )