In 1879, Erasmus D. Compton (1841-1924) moved his wife Martha Jane Duck (1841-1912), and their three children to Taylor, Williamson Co., TX to escape the post-war atmosphere of "sinnin', cussin' and drunkenness" that he found all too pervasive in his home of Pulaski Co. According to their son, C. V. Compton, Erasmus Compton and his brother and sister-in-law, Joel T. (b. ca 1839) and Celina Duck Gossett (b. ca 1837), were both quite concerned about the influence of local moonshiners on their young children. The Compton and Gossett families left Kentucky in 1879, took the train to Palestine, Texas, where they settled for a year or so, before moving to Williamson Co., TX.635

1880 Census of Williamson Co TX
Household Members Age Relationship
E. D. Compton 40 Self (Head)
Martha J. Compton 40 Wife
Arizona Compton 15 Daughter
William N. Compton 8 Son
Belanders Compton 7 Son

2000 Census Taylor, Williamson Co TX
Name Age
Erasmus Compton 59 head m37 jul 1841
Martha Compton 59 wife m37 may 1841
Velander Compton 27 son jan 1873

Name Age
William Compton 29 KY KY KY
Martha Compton 26 KY KY KY
Clara Compton   5 TX KY KY
Loui Compton 3 TX KY KY