John Patroan English was born in East Texas on 17 January 1819, making him one of the first Anglo babies born in the new frontier.
 

Jonathan Anderson stated in 1886 that he crossed the Sabine River into East Texas on 11 February 1819 and that William English, his brother-in-law, was already in Ayish Bayou.  John was born in the area of Patroon which is in the present Shelby County.

John was the oldest child of William English and Myra Anderson.  He was married to Martha Sanders from North Caroline on 19 November 1840.  Their children were Eveline, William and Sara Lola.

Peggy Nell Hunt Looney Nader, Descendant