Robert Clay Allison was a famous gunslinger, cattle rancher, cattle broker, and sometimes gunfighter of the Wild West. He fought for the Confederacy in the Civil War.
Allison had a reputation for violence, having survived several one-on-one knife and gunfights (some with lawmen), as well as being implicated in a number of vigilante jail break-ins and lynchings. A drunken Allison once rode his horse through town, nearly naked-wearing only his gunbelt.
Allison was born in Wayne County, Tennessee, to Jeremiah Scotland and Mariah Brown Allison. He had 8 siblings.
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He was known to have a clubfoot, which did not seem to hamper his ability to perform active duty. In fact, he was eager to fight, sometimes threatening to kill his superiors because they would not pursue Union troops when they were running away from the battle.
After the Civil War, Allison moved to Texas and became a cattle rancher. He was known for his quick temper and willingness to use violence, which led to him being involved in numerous gunfights. He was also known for his generosity and willingness to help others in need.
In 1875, Allison was involved in a lynching of a man named Cruz Vega. Vega was suspected of murdering a Methodist circuit rider, but he was never formally charged with the crime.
Allison and a group of men broke into the jail where Vega was being held and hanged him from a telegraph pole.
Allison's violent reputation followed him throughout his life. In 1887, he was killed in a freak accident when he was thrown from a freight wagon, and a wheel rolled over his head. He was 45 years old.
Family Overview
Usually, outlaws have poor families or grew up without a dad who died young, and it causes them to lose their way. This was not so for Robert Clay Allison.
His father lived a long time, as did his mother. They both stayed loyal to each other and had many children. Most of their children married and had children and also lived into their 80s.
Robert Clay Allison was different, and it was perhaps the Civil War that traumatized him. He was a Confederate soldier and lost many friends throughout the war.
He ended up getting married and having two children. Those two children went on to marry and also have children. Unfortunately, his life was cut short when a tragic accident occurred on his farm.
Family Tree Chart
Parents:
Jeremiah Scotland Allison (1811 - 1892) - He was a farmer who married and gave birth to nine children. One of his kids would become a notorious outlaw.
Mariah Ruth Brown (1814 - 1894) - She was born and died in Tennessee. She and her husband had nine children.
Spouse:
America Medora McCulloch (1862 - 1926) - She married Robert and had two children. Unfortunately, he was an outlaw and, as usual, died young, but ironically, it was an accidental death rather than a bullet. She remarried and had other children.
Children:
Patti Dora Allison (1885 - 1971) - She was the oldest daughter of Robert Clay Allison. She married and had two children, and lived until she was in her 80s.
Clay Pearl Allison (1888 - 1962) - She was the youngest and last child of the Allison marriage. She married and lived until she was in her 70s. She and her husband had three children.
Siblings:
Susan E. Allison (1834-1866) - There is not much known about her except her vital records.
Jesse Alonzo Allison (1839-1904) - He and his wife had eleven children, and they would pass the Allison on to future generations.
Jeremiah Monroe Allison (1844-1887) - He died at the age of 43, and there is no record of him marrying or having any children.
Saluda Ann M Allison (1846-1931) - She lived a long life as many of her siblings did. She was married and had two children.
T A Allison (1847) - Possibly an infant death.
Emily L Allison (1849 - 1933) - She probably married and had children. There is not much known of her except her vitals.
Sarah Francis Allison (1852 - 1933) - She lived until she was 82 years old and moved from her hometown to Missouri. She married and had three children.
John William Allison (1854 - 1898) - He did marry but did not have any children. He was the youngest in the family.