Abel Boles was born in South Carolina and moved to Marion County, Alabama. He married a lady named Amy and reared a family there.  He and his oldest son, John, came to Texas in 1836.  They both worked the land for three years to improve and cultivate it.  The land (650 acres) was near the town of Tatum in Panola County, the parent county being Shelby.
 

They went back to Alabama to live and brought the family back to settle in near Shelbyville, Texas to live and farm.  He received a Headright certificate in 1844.  From Marion County, Alabama, he brought with him a twisted cane made in 1803.  A great nephew had the cane in 1930.
 

His son, John William, signed a petition along with Able, against moving a portion of Shelby County to San Augustine County between 1846 and 1856.  John was a Mason in a Lodge in Shelby County.  It is believed he died during the War Between the States.
 

His son, Joseph, was a father to 15 children.  He was in the War Between the States.  Joseph and his wife, Anna C., are buried in the Rather Cemetery in Shelby County, Texas.
 

Abel died sometime after 1883 at the age of 91.

 

Othodell Smith and Sharon Peters, Descendants