Born in 1822/23 , Troup County Georgia . The first born child of Thomas Barkley Erwin and Agnes McLarty, married Martha Ann Hudson, the daughter of Dr Cuthbert G. Hudson and Pheriba Wooten Alford on December 3, 1846 in Chambers County Alabama. The couple had one child, Thomas Cuthbert Erwin on July 15, 1848. Martha died of an accidental Strychnine poisoning in 1851, at the age of 21, soon after moving to Texas. Gus then married Martha’s 15 year old sister, Emily Hudson, on March 9, 1852 in Rusk County Texas. They had three sons, George Augustus Erwin, born in 1854, Phillip Erwin, born in 1856, and Bryant Erwin, born in 1858.

Gus Erwin was a leading Tyler merchant, and also served as the Smith County Post Master, according to records dated October 2, 1856.

Gus died of Dropsey on August 28, 1859, after being ill for 10 days. He was 37 years old.

DROPSEY: swelling, often caused by kidney or heart disease.

　
Smith County Records

John D. Scott MORTGAGE, Smith County, TX

This indenture made the 5th day of November in the year One Thousand Eight Hundred and Seventy-Two between J. D. Scott party of the first part and T. G. Erwin, Adm. of Estate of A. O. Erwin dec'd, party of the second part witnesseth that the said party of the first part in consideration of the sum of Two Hundred and Forty Dollars in U. S. Currency, 10 percent interest to him duly paid before the delivery hereof has bargained and sold and by these presents does grant and convey to the said party of the second part and his heirs, assigns forever all of Block No. 3 containing 35-5/9 acres of land, of the Johnson Wright Headright (sold by order of Court to highest bidder) with the appurtenances and all the estate rights, title and interest of said party of the first part therein. This Grant is intended as a security for the payment of a promissory note for above amount $240.00 which payment if duly made will render this conveyance void, and if defaulted shall be made in the payment of the above amount mentioned then the said party of the second part or his executors, administrators or assigns are hereby authorized to sell the premises above granted or so much thereof as will be necessary to satisfy the account there due with the costs and expenses allowed by law. In Witness whereof the said party of the first part has herewith set his hand and seal the day and year first mentioned above. 　


Newspaper Advertisements

NO EXCUSE FOR BAD  BREAD.

Superior Yeast Powder, Preston & Merrill's infallible  Yeast Powder for sale by Wilson &  Erwin.

Castings, 1400 lbs. for  sale by Wilson  &  Erwin. 


TYLER REPORTER, November 17, 1855, p. 2, c. 2-3


JOHN W. WILSON          AUGUSTUS  O. ERWIN.

WILSON &  ERWIN.
(South-west Corner, Public  Square,)
Tyler, Texas.
Dealers in  Staple and Fancy Dry Goods and Groceries.

Ready made   Clothing, Hats, caps, bonnets, Boots, Shoes, Hardware, Cutlery, Glassware,
  Queensware, Woodware, Tinware, Saddlery, Window shades, School and
miscellaneous  Books, Drugs, Window-glass, Oils, Paints, Dye-stuffs, &c
&c. Together with a general   assortment of every article found in a retail store.For
sale at the lowest market prices and to  which we must respectfully invite the
attention of the citizens of Smith and  adjoining counties. 

Notice that when this advertisement ran in 1855 Gus was partners with John W. Wilson.
Four years later he was partners with F. N. Garry & Bryan Marsh.

Augustus died on August 28, 1859, six months after this advertisement ran.

TYLER REPORTER, February 19, 1859, p. 3, c. 4-5

F. N. Garry. A. O. Erwin. Bryan Marsh.
F. N. Gary & Co.
(South West Corner, Public Square,) Tyler, Texas.
Dealers in Staple and Fancy Dry
Goods and Groceries, Ready-Made
Clothing, Hats, Caps, Bonnets, Boots, Shoes, Hardware,
Cutlery, Glassware, Queensware, Woodware, Tinware,
Saddlery, Window Shades, School and Miscellaneous
Books, Drugs, Window Glass, Oils, Paints, Dye Stuffs, &c., &c.
Together with a general assortment of every article found in a
Retail Store. For sale at the lowest market prices, and to which we most
respectfully invite the attention of the citizens of Smith and adjoining counties.