Texas Historical Marker #08474
Steamboat House. Built in 1858 by Dr. Rufus Bailey, 1858-62 president of Austin College, as a wedding gift for son. Unusual house caused such joking, however, the couple refused to live in it. In 1862, after Sam Houston left governorship of Texas, he rented Steamboat House, and here he died in 1863. His funeral was held in the upstairs parlor. In 1933 Houston businessman J. E. Josey bought house and gave it to state. Texas Centennial Commission restored building, moved it here 1936. #8474
?, Huntsville, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08475
Thomas Cemetery. This cemetery marks the site of Thomas Plantation and Steamboat Landing. John R. Thomas, a native of Alabama, settled here in 1854. A Confederate soldier during the Civil War, he was captured at the Battle of Arkansas in 1863 and transferred to Camp Chase, Ohio. He died there one month later. Graves include those of his mother Lucy Day Thomas (1794-1869) and brothers Budd Fry Thomas (1838-1862), also a veteran of the Confederate army, and Leroy Thomas (d. 1871), who owned land across the river. A nephew, Jack Thomas, sold this property by 1883 and moved to Polk County. #8475
?, Riverside, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08476
Site of Thomas Plantation and Steamboat Landing. John Richard Thomas (1820-63) of Alabama came to Texas in 1854. Developing a 1060-acre plantation, he built wharves here on the Trinity for shipping his cotton, corn, molasses, and other goods. Thomas' Landing was a regular port of call, giving riverboats considerable business. The Civil War (1861-65) and Thomas' death brought adversity to his people. After 1872, when a railroad was built into Walker County, river shipping ceased. The landing, the plantation "big house" and other buildings once stood near the site now retaining the cemetery. #8476
?, Riverside, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08477
Walker County. Created from Montgomery County in 1846, shortly after Texas became a state, Walker County was named for U.S. Senator Robert J. Walker (1801-1869) of Mississippi, a major advocate of Texas annexation. Because of Walker's Union sympathies in the Civil War, the honor was withdrawn in 1863 and the county was renamed for Captain Samuel H. Walker (1817-1847), a noted Texas Ranger who was killed in action during the Mexican War. Huntsville has always served as Walker County seat. Parts of Madison and San Jacinto counties were carved from Walker County. #8477
?, , TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08478
Walker County. Created, 1846, from Montgomery County. First named for Robert J. Walker, U.S. Senator; in Civil War, Samuel H. Walker, Texas Ranger and Mexican War hero, was made honoree. Huntsville, county seat, was once an Indian trading post. First courthouse was built, 1848. A second one burned, January, 1888, and the present one was built in August, 1888. Walker County today contains much of Sam Houston National Forest. Headquarters for Texas Department of Corrections and Sam Houston State College, the oldest state-supported college in Texas, are in Huntsville. #8478
?, Huntsville, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08479
Waverly Cemetery. This cemetery is situated on the land originally purchased in 1853 by Mary M. Lewis, James E. Scott, Laura A. Scott, and Milly D. Scott. The first recorded burial was that of John Andrew Jackson (1822-1855), a pioneer settler of Waverly. Three gravestones dated 1852 indicate reinterments rather than earlier burials. Hamlin F. Lewis, John Elliot Scott, and Robert Lindsey Scott left Alabama for Texas but fell victim to cholera in 1852 and were buried along the way. Relatives of the men had their remains placed in this site in 1859. In 1857 Waverly Institute purchased 200 acres of land which included the burial ground. Through the efforts of Henry M. Elmore (1816-1879), President of Waverly Institute Board of Trustees, twelve acres were officially set aside for cemetery use in 1873. The town of Waverly was a cultural, educational, and religious center before the Civil War. When New Waverly was founded on the railroad in the 1880s, Waverly declined, but its cemetery remains in use. The burial ground has always been associated with the pioneer settlers of Waverly. In 1965 descendants of the settlers formed a cemetery association to maintain the site. #8479
?, New Waverly, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08480
Winters, James and Rhoda Creel Beall, (Winters Memorial Park). Pioneers who led their large family here in 1834 from Tennessee. Two older sons, Wm. Carvin and John Frelan Winters, came to Texas in 1832. On receiving their good report, the parents moved to this land between east and west forks of San Jacinto River. With them came 10 of their children, some in-laws, and grandchildren. A daughter, Mrs. Caroline W. Fannin, died and was buried en route, on the Trinity River. James Winters, veteran of several American wars, was 62 when he left his new home to fight for Texas in 1835 conflict with Mexico. In the 1836 Texas War for Independence, he and a 15-year-old son, Benjamin, hauled supplies to the Texas army. In that war were three sons, Wm. C., J. F., and James W. Winters; and two sons-in-law, Jackson Crouch and Charles D. Edwards. Members of the Winters family helped to settle Caldwell, Frio, Hays, Lavaca, Live Oak and McMullen counties. The mill of Wm. Winters made much of the furniture for the 1857 Texas Capitol. In 1901 James W. Winters served Texas by helping mark battlefield at San Jacinto, where he fought 65 years earlier. The senior James Winters (born 1773) died in 1848; he is buried 2 miles south, at Waverly. Rhoda (1784-1859) is buried at Oakville, Live Oak County. #8480
?, New Waverly, TX, United States
Subjects
Texas Historical Marker #08481
John Frelan Winters. A San Jacinto Veteran; born in Tennessee, July 13, 1814; died January 16, 1864. #8481
?, New Waverly, TX, United States
Subjects
Texas Historical Marker #08482
Woodland, Home of Sam Houston. General of the army which won the war for Texas Independence, 1836, and first President of the Republic, 1836-1838, Sam Houston was one of the most controversial and colorful figures in Texas history. In his eventful career, Houston had resided in Nacogdoches, Liberty, Houston, and Austin. He and his wife Margaret (Lea) built this house, "Woodland", in 1847 to provide themselves with a town place. With enthusiasm, he wrote to a friend that the new home was a "bang up place!" and that the climate was "said to be healthy". Houston and his wife lived at Woodland while he was a U.S. Senator, 1846-1859, perhaps the happiest and most prosperous years of his life. Four of their eight children were born here. The house was built in a style common to the South at the time: squared logs covered with hand-hewn, whitewashed boards. The detached kitchen and law office were built of unfinished, squared logs. In 1859 Houston was elected governor but, although opposed to secession, he could not keep Texas from joining the Confederacy in 1861. Deposed from office, he returned to his second Huntsville home, called the "Steamboat House", where he died in 1863. #8482
?, Huntsville, TX, United States
Subjects
Texas Historical Marker #08483
Henderson Yoakum. A graduate of the United States Military Academy (1832), Henderson Yoakum saw duty on frontiers and in the Mexican War. He practiced law and served in the Senate in his native Tennessee, moving to Texas in 1845. In Huntsville he became a civic leader and friend of Sam Houston. Joining fellow citizens in establishing Austin College, he became that school's first librarian and a teacher of law. In 1855, after years of work, he published a comprehensive, two-volume history of Texas. He and his wife Eveline (Cannon) had nine children. Descendants are still active in cultural life of Texas. #8483
?, Huntsville, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08484
Site of the Home of Henderson Yoakum. Site of the home of Henderson Yoakum and birthplace of his "History of Texas," published in 1855, a story of the sacrifices, the glory and the great men of Texas from the first settlement to annexation to the United States in 1845 #8484
?, Huntsville, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08485
Ables Springs. This small settlement, which lies in a region of natural springs, was named for an early Kaufman County family. James W. and Eliza (Godfrey) Ables moved to this area in 1853 and settled on land granted to his father, Ezekial Ables, in 1848. The Ables were active Methodists who, in 1878, deeded nearly nine acres of their land to the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. A church building, a tabernacle, and a public school were built on the land. Part of the site was set aside for this cemetery. The oldest marked grave here is dated 1880. Never the scene of much commercial activity, Ables Springs has remained a quiet, rural settlement throughout its history. Besides the Methodist congregation, Church of Christ and Baptist fellowships also have been organized here. Prior to World War I, the community had an active Woodman of the World Lodge. The tabernacle on the Methodist church property has been the site of many religious camp meetings, and the school played a vital role in the community until its consolidation with other school districts. A reminder of the early settlement in northeast Kaufman County, Ables Springs is an important part of the area's pioneer heritage. (1985) supplemental plaque: Marker should read James Ables (1829-1891), not James W. Ables (1860-1944). James's father, Ezekiel, received Nacogdoches land grant number 25 in 1838, not 1848. #8485
CR 338, Terrell, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08497
Colonel Isham Chisum. (1818-1884) One of leading early citizens of Kaufman County. Represented the county in Texas Secession Convention, Jan.-March 1861. Later in 1861, he fought in Confederate cavalry of Col. Tom Green in New Mexico campaign. As Colonel of 2nd Partisan Rangers, Walker's Division, fought at Mansfield and Pleasant Hill (La.), in Red River Campaign to prevent a Federal invasion of Texas in 1864. A cousin of Jesse Chisholm, who pioneered famous Chisholm Cattle Trail, and of cattle baron John Simpson Chisum, Col. Chisum married Charlotte Martin. They have many descendants in Texas. #8497
?, Kaufman, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08498
Homesite of Gov. Oscar Branch Colquitt. (1861-1940) (This block is the former homesite of) Twenty-fourth Governor of Texas (1911-1915). Known as "The Napoleon of Texas Politics" and "Little Oscar" because of his short stature, Colquitt was a strong and independent chief executive. His stump speeches were among the most effective of his times. A descendant of American Revolution and Civil War fighters, Colquitt was born in Georgia. He worked as a tenant farmer and newspaperman before serving as a Texas Senator. He was railroad commissioner, 1903-1911, and his efforts in office for Galveston gained him the title "Daddy of the Causeway". In his second race for the office, he was elected Governor on an anti-Prohibition ticket. His legal residence was in Terrell during both terms and he had owned the Terrell "Times-Star" in the 1890s. While in office, Colquitt achieved prison reforms. (He campaigned with a bullwhip in hand to publicize prison brutality.) He helped preserve the Alamo as a Texas shrine. Homes for the insane and retarded were improved under him, and he also spearheaded advancements in education and backed labor bills. In 1885 he had married Alice F. Murrell, by whom he had five children. After 1915 he entered private business and worked as a U.S. government official. #8498
?, Terrell, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08499
Church of the Good Shepherd. Organized as mission by Rev. John Portmess, vicar, Trinity Sunday, 1877. First services were held at Terrell Academy, a private school founded by the vicar. In 1878 first church edifice was built on this site and consecrated. Parish was admitted to Diocese of Dallas at its Primary Council in 1895. Victorian Gothic church was completed in 1907. It has an elaborately carved oak altar and a rare Gratian organ. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1967 #8499
?, Terrell, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08500
Church of Our Merciful Saviour. Rural Gothic architecture. In parish formed 1883. Site given 1898; built 1909 under lead of Mr. and Mrs. Woodson Nash. Consecrated May 2, 1909, by The Rt. Rev. A. C. Garrett, first bishop of Missionary District of Northern Texas. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1967 #8500
?, Kaufman, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08501
John H. Corley Home. Built 1896 by John Neilson, a former shipbuilder. Many of the building materials were shipped to Jefferson, Texas, by boat, then here by railroad. Elaborate Victorian architecture. Curly pine and cypress stairway with three landings has unusual design. #8501
?, Terrell, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08502
Cottonwood Baptist Church. The Rev. A. M. K. Sowell served as the first pastor for this congregation, organized in 1880. Worship services were held in a log building constructed on land donated for community use by C. L. Tippett and J. W. Swayze. Members shared the facility with other area congregations and the Cottonwood School. The church moved with the school when a new structure was completed in 1903. The present sanctuary, built in 1916, is also located on property deeded by Tippett. Homecoming activities, which were begun in 1936, are held here each June. #8502
?, Scurry, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08503
Cottonwood Cemetery. Established in 1882 on land donated by settler J. W. Swayze for a church building, school house, and cemetery. First grave was that of J. R. Swayze (1850-1882), a brother of the donor. Now enlarged to five acres, the cemetery includes acreage donated by Bessie Goodman from land of her ancestor, C. L. Tippett, as well as property given by J. A. Hugghins from Swayze tract. Both pioneers are buried here. The grounds are cared for by descendants and friends, who have built fences and improved roads. Cemetery is also used by other neighboring communities. #8503
?, Scurry, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08504
Covenant United Presbyterian Church. Organized July 1854 by The Rev. Richard O. Watkins, as Cumberland Presbyterian Church. First church building was erected in 1854-55. First pastor, The Rev. Dempsey W. Broughton, helped found Trinity University. Present sanctuary was built in 1877. Church took name "First Presbyterian" after national denominational merger in 1906. It became "Covenant" after absorbing Gastonia (1912) and Jiba (1963) congregations. Incise on back: Marker in memory of our parents, Martha Jane and Jim Duncan, by Bertha Duncan Lane and Herman H. Duncan Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1971 #8504
?, Kaufman, TX, United States