Josiah Lester, son of Alexander Lester and Martha Cousins, was born in Virginia in 1794. At a young age, his family moved to Oglethorpe County, Georgia where his father died in 1820. Josiah married Saleta Johnson in Green County, Georgia in 1818, and moved westward staying in Louisiana several years. Josiah, Saleta and their four sons registered with Stephen F. Austin in 1830 and received a Mexican land grant in Washington County. On July 31, 1836, Josiah supplied the Texas Army with two horses.

By 1849, he had moved with Saleta and their eight children to Milam County, where he was listed as one of the top cattle raisers in the county. During July of that same year, the Little River Baptist Church was organized in his home and he served as a delegate to the Little River Baptist Association numerous times.

Saleta died ca 1864 and Josiah died March 25, 1867. Their children were: Elias J. born June 17, 1819; William H. born November 7, 1823; Milton born July 17 1825; Josiah born March 10, 1829; Luther born November 1, 1831; Calvin born August 24, 1833; Travis born February 23, 1834; and Anne Elizabeth born February 12, 1836.

Ernestine Lester Daviss

Source:DAUGHTERS OF THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS Patriot Ancestor Album