Laughter Cemetery

* From list compiled by Maurice Cotham "Possum" Shelby
#Included in list submitted with Historic Texas Cemetery application
~ From list in Victoria Crossroads of South Texas, Victoria Genealogical Society, Volume XIX, No. 2, Summer 1998

 

NAME

PIC BIRTH DEATH INSCRIPTION VET

*#Laughter, Charles Pyron (s/o William Pearson & Lavoina Pumphrey Laughter)

  04 Apr 1882 20 May 1944    

~Laughter, Infant (Charles Pyron & Verda Milby Laughter)

         

Laughter, John Gordon, Jr. (John Gordon Laughter, Sr. & Carrie Kone Fisher Laughter)

  18 Dec 1919 31 May 2017   V

*#Laughter, Lavonia Pumphrey (w/o William Pearson Laughter)

  24 Nov 1852 15 Sep 1931

Mother

 

*Laughter, Lockie Roberta

  15 Dec 1888 16 May 1890

 

 

*#Laughter, Lois Lee (s/o William Pearson & Lavoina Pumphrey Laughter)

  12 Mar 1885 18 Oct 1900

Sister

 

*Laughter, Michael Hunt

  30 Sep 1816 23 Aug 1880

 

 

*#Laughter, Maury Pearson (s/o William Pearson & Lavoina Pumphrey Laughter)

  05 Aug 1872 06 Jan 1895

Sacred to the Memory of; He Had A Kind And Most Unselfish Heart, Was Ever Ready To Help The Needy Or Distressed; Blessed Are The Merciful

 

*#Laughter, Ray Pumphrey (s/o William Pearson & Lavoina Pumphrey Laughter)

  04 Jan 1880 08 Sep 1881

 

 

*Laughter, Robert F.

  13 Oct 1857 25 Feb 1890

 

 

*#Laughter, Robert Gordon (s/o Charles Pyron & Verda Milby Laughter)

  21 May 1909 24 Jul 1916

We Love Our Little Man

 

*Laughter, Sarah Vardaman

  24 Jul 1820 05[04] Nov 1878

 

 

*#Laughter, William Pearson (h/o Lavonia Pumphrey Laughter)

  07 Feb 1840 2 Oct 1900

Father [Regimental Sgt.-Major, Second Texas Cavalry, Civil War]

V

~Unknown Infant

     

(died while parents were traveling)

 


 

Photos courtesy
of
Texas Historical Commission
Historic Texas Cemetery File

 


 


History of the W. P. Laughter Cemetery
By Carol Strarup
Courtesy of Texas Historical Commission Historic Texas Cemetery File

The history of the W. P. Laughter Cemetery begins with Stephen F. Austin and his friendship with Major James Kerr, who received a league of land from Austin May 6, 1827. Major Kerr's daughter, Sarah G. Kerr, married William Pearson Laughter September 14, 1864, while he was on furlough from Company D, Second Texas Cavalry, Confederate States of America. Sarah Kerr Laughter died February 7, 1868, and is buried near her father in the Kerr Cemetery, only a short distance northwest of the W. P. Laughter Cemetery (both are situated on the James Kerr League).

W. P. Laughter enlisted as a private in Captain James Walker's Company of the Second Regiment of Texas Mounted Rifles at Hallettsville, Texas, on April 16, 1861. The company was known at various times as "Captain Walker's Company," "Captain Patrick's Company," "Company G" and "Company D." In 1863 W. P. Laughter became Sergeant Major of the Regiment and was discharged with that rank at Victoria, Texas before August 8, 1865. The regiment was known as "Second Regiment, Texas Mounted Rifles," "Second Regiment, Texas Cavalry," and as "Pyron's Regiment." W. P. Laughter named one of his sons "Pyron" after Colonel Pyron, and another "John Gordon," after General Gordon.

W. P. Laughter had a law degree from Oxford College, but never practiced law, preferring to manage his property. He was a farmer, ginner, fluent speak and writer, a Methodist and a Mason.

On May 4, 1871, he married Lavonia Pumphrey; the couple had nine children. Their home and large gin were located near the cemetery. When the City of Edna was founded in 1882, the Laughters purchased a city block, erected a large gin, and built a house there for use during ginning season.
 

 

 

L
Laughter Family
 
L

  Information and scans courtesy of William A. Matthews
 


Laughter Family

Mrs. Lavonia Laughter, widow of the late William P. Laughter, was born in Jackson County. Texas, on the 24th of November, 1852, a daughter of Jesse Newton and Mary Sauls Matthews Pumphrey.

The Pumphrey family is descended from George Pumphrey, who with a brother left his native land of either Scotland or England and came with one of Lord Baltimore's colonies to this country, where they assisted in the founding of the city of Baltimore. They remained there until reaching years of maturity when the brother removed to the then territory of Ohio while George made his way to Georgia, where he became a prominent planter, reared his family and died. It is supposed that his descendants participated in the Revolutionary war. His son Sylvanus became the father of Jesse Pumphrey, who removed to Alabama, where he became a large slave owner and spent the remainder of his life. His children were John R., Levan. Nathan, Lewis, Louisa (Mrs. Pratt), Florida (Mrs. Brazill) and Margaret (Mrs. T. L. Bennett).

Mrs. Laughter, the first of the Pumphrey family born in Jackson County, has spent her entire life here, and in 1871 was married to William P. Laughter, who was born in Mississippi, February 7th, 1840, a son of Michael H. and Sarah (Vardman) Laughter; both natives of Mississippi, where they were people or prominence. The father was an extensive planter and also operated a large saw mill. After his removal Texas, he continued his agricultural pursuits, and was well known and honored for his family sterling characteristics. To Michael H. and Sarah Laughter were born nine children, namely:
 James who died of consumption after the war
 William P. the next in order of birth
 Britton S. deceased
 Annie, the wife of R. Milby
 Thomas, who died in San Antonio leaving children
 Gideon and
 Robert, who also died leaving children
 Lizzie, who husband, Mr. Moore, is the District and County Clerk of Jackson County and
 Emma, the wife of E. Davis of San Antonio.
 

Information courtesy of William A. Matthews
 

 


The Laughter Family
 

 From “Texas Family Land Heritage Registry First Edition 1974”, published by the Texas Department of Agriculture, John C. White, Commissioner, page 74-75.

Jackson County

Laughter Farm – 1864, six and one-half miles north of Edna.
 

Founder: William Pearson Laughter of Mississippi
 

1974 Owners: John Gordon Laughter, Jr. and Mrs. Hubert Ratliff, Edna.
 

William P. Laughter, a lawyer who studied at Salem and Oxford Colleges and the University of Mississippi, came to Texas with other families in 1858-1859.  Their three boats landed at Indianola, and they unloaded families, slaves and enough lumber to build a two-story house near Morales.  William P. Laughter and Sarah Kerr married September 14, 1864, while he was on furlough from the Confederate Army.  They built a home on two leagues of Kerr land and raised cotton, corn, sugar cane, and cattle.  Mrs. Laughter died in 1868 and Mr. Laughter married Lavonia Pumphrey in 1871.  Their son, John Gordon Laughter, inherited 118 acres of the land, and the present owners, John Gordon Laughter and Mrs. Hubert Ratliff (Anna Lee Laughter), were born on the farm.  Today they raise cattle and improved grasses on the farm.
 

1880 Census


Census Place:  
Precinct 1, Jackson, Texas

Source:   FHL Film 1255313  National Archives Film T9-1313     Page 77B    

                                                       Relation Sex Marr Race   Age        Birthplace

George MENEFEE                            Self     M     M    W    64      TN

                Occ:   Farmer                                                               Fa: TN      Mo: TN

Letetia D. MENEFEE                       Wife      F     M    W    52      MS

                Occ:   Keeping House                                                   Fa: GA     Mo: NC

George MENEFEE                            Son     M     M    W    33      TX

                Occ:   Farming                                                             Fa: TN      Mo: MS

Mollie V. MENEFEE                       DauL      F     M    W    21      TX

                Occ:   Keeping House                                                   Fa: TN      Mo: AR

Thomas C. MENEFEE                    GSon    M     S    W      8M   TX

                                                                                                 Fa: TN      Mo: TX

George H. LAUGHTER                   GSon    M     S    W      6      TX

                                                                                                 Fa: MS     Mo: TX

Sarah INGRAM                               Other      F     S     B    12      TX

                Occ:   Cook                                                                 Fa: MO    Mo: MO
 


Census Place:  
Precinct 3, Jackson, Texas

        Source:   FHL Film 1255313  National Archives Film T9-1313     Page 95A    

                                                       Relation Sex Marr Race   Age        Birthplace

M. N. LAUGHTER                             Self       M    W    W    64      NC

                                                                                                 Fa: NC     Mo: NC

Robt. F. LAUGHTER                        Son       M     S    W    22      MS

                Occ:   Farmer                                                               Fa: NC     Mo: NC

T. E. LAUGHTER                              Dau       F     S    W    17      TX

                Occ:   Keeping House                                                   Fa: NC     Mo: NC

E. G. LAUGHTER                             Dau       F     S    W    14      TX

                Occ:   At Home                                                            Fa: NC     Mo: NC
 


Census Place:  
Precinct 3, Jackson, Texas

        Source:   FHL Film 1255313  National Archives Film T9-1313     Page 95A    

                                                       Relation Sex Marr Race   Age        Birthplace

G. H. LAUGHTER                             Self    M     M       W    25      MS

                Occ:   Farmer                                                              Fa: NC     Mo: NC

C. E. LAUGHTER                           Wife     F      M      W    20      TX

                Occ:   Keeping House                                                   Fa: KY     Mo: MO

A. H. LAUGHTER                             Son   M      S      W      6M   TX

                Occ:   At Home                                                            Fa: MS     Mo: TX
 


Census Place:  
Precinct 3, Jackson, Texas

        Source:   FHL Film 1255313  National Archives Film T9-1313     Page 95A    

                                                       Relation Sex Marr Race   Age        Birthplace

T. L. LAUGHTER                               Self    M     M    W       32      MS

                Occ:   Farmer                                                               Fa: NC     Mo: NC

Clara E. D. LAUGHTER                  Wife     F     M    W       24      TX

                Occ:   Keeping House                                                   Fa: ---       Mo: ---

Mabel Lee LAUGHTER                   Dau     F     S    W          5      TX

                Occ:   At Home                                                            Fa: MS     Mo: TX

James THOMAS                             Other   M     S     B        17      TX

                Occ:   Hired Farm Laborer                                             Fa: MS     Mo: VA
 


Census Place:  
Precinct 4, Jackson, Texas

        Source:   FHL Film 1255313  National Archives Film T9-1313     Page 104A    

                                                       Relation Sex Marr Race   Age        Birthplace

W. P. LAUGHTER                             Self    M     M    W       40      MS

                Occ:   Farmer                                                               Fa: NC     Mo: MS

Lavonia LAUGHTER                          Wife  F     M    W       27      TX

                Occ:   Keeping House                                                   Fa: AL      Mo: GA

Sallie LAUGHTER                              Dau  F     S    W       12      TX

                Occ:   At Home                                                            Fa: MS     Mo: TX

P. M. LAUGHTER                               Son  M     S    W         7      TX

                Occ:   At Home                                                            Fa: MS     Mo: TX

Alma LAUGHTER                              Dau   F     S    W         5      TX

                Occ:   At Home                                                            Fa: MS     Mo: TX

W. P. LAUGHTER                              Son  M     S    W         2      TX

                Occ:   At Home                                                            Fa: MS     Mo: TX

R. P. LAUGHTER                               Son  M     S    W        5M   TX

                Occ:   At Home                                                            Fa: MS     Mo: TX

 

 


Laughter Family Bible
 
 


THE

 

 

HOLY BIBLE,
CONTAINING THE

 

OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS:

TRANSLATED OUT OF

 

THE ORIGINAL TONGUES;


AND WITH


THE FORMER TRANSLATIONS DILIGENTLY COMPARED
AND REVISED.

 

______________________

NEW YORK:
AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY
INSTITUTED IN THE YEAR MDCCCXVI.

____________

1866.

 

 


 


Family Record
 

Births

Births


M. H. Laughter
Sept 30 1816

S. M. Laughter
July 24th 1820

J. V. Laughter
March 15, 1838

W. P. Laughter
Feb 7th 1840

Sarah F. Laughter
August 4th 1842

B. S. Laughter
December 8th 1844

T. L. Laughter
July 2nd 1847

A. T. Laughter
January 18 1852

G. H. Laughter
February 5th 1844

R. F. Laughter
Oct. 13th 1857
 


T. E. Laughter
January 28th 1863

E. G. Laughter
August 26th 1865

Jeremiah Vardaman
Dec 20, 1787

Sarah Smith
March 13 1793

Lee Laughter
March 10th 1867

Sallie Laughter
Jan 22, 1868

Lydia I. Milby
Dec 15th 1869

Robert Laughter Milby
July 10th 1871

Elmore



 


Family Record
 

Births

Births


Wife of R. F. Laughter
A. M. Laughter
April 14th 1864

Vernon Laughter
Feb. 11th 1885

Pearl Laughter
Dec. 23th 1886

Lockie R. Laughter
Dec. 15th 1888

Irwin Moore Laughter
July 28, 1893

La Vonia Pumphrey
Nov. 24, 1852
2nd wife of W. P. Laughter

Clara Dove Gregg
Jan. 11, 1856

Eugene Davis
March 11, 1849
(husband of Emma G. Laughter
 


Celestia Flournoy - wife
Feb. 14, 1860
G. H. Laughter

William Matthew Moore
June 16, 1857
Husband of T. E. Laughter

Sarah Gertrude Kerr
June 29, 1843
1st wife of W. P. Laughter

Elizabeth Milby (Lizzie)
Wife of J. V. Laughter

Robert Milby
Oct 2, 1846
Husband of Annie Inez Laughter

Lucy Menefee

Wife of B. S. Laughter

Sarah G. Laughter
Feb 7
Feb 7, 1868
(1st wife of W. P. L.

Lucy Menefee
 

 



 


 


Family Record
 

Marriages

Marriages


Jeremiah Vardaman
&
Sarah Smith
Oct 22nd 1811

M. H. Laughter
&
S. M. Vardaman
May 25th 1837

W. P. Laughter
&
S. G. Keer
Sept 14th 1864

J. V. Laughter
&
Lizzie Milby
Feb. 28 1866

B. S. Laughter
&
Lucy Menefee
Sept 15 1868

Robert Milby
&
A. I. Laughter
Jan 18th 1869

W. P. Laughter
&
La Vonica Pumphrey
May 4th 1871
 


Pike Laughter and
Celestin Flounoy
September 5, 1878

W. W. Moore
& Lizzie Laughter
Oct 26 1882

R. F. Laughter
&
A. M. Moore
Nov 8th 1883

Thomas Lee Laughter &
Dlara Dove Gregg
Jan, 14, 1874

Eugene Davis
&
Emma Gertrude Laughter
Feb. 16, 1856

Maury Laughter
&
Ettie C. Moore
Oct 26th 1892

R. B. Alexander
&
A. M. Laughter
Oct. 1, 1906

 



 

 


Family Record
 

Deaths

Deaths


Sarah F. Laughter
Died May 28th 1844

Jeremiah Vardaman
April 26th 1849

Sarah Vardeman
April 16th 1860

B. S. Laughter
Died Dec 3rd 1875

S. M. Laughter
Died Nov. 5, 1878

I. V. Laughter
Died January 20th 1770

M. H. Laughter
Died August 13th 1880


A. P. Milby Died
July 16th 1883

R. F. Laughter
died Feb. 25th 1890

Lockie R. Laughter
died May 16th 1890

Irwin Moore Laughter
June 19, 1916

Alice Moore Laughter Alexander
May 23, 1941
wife of R. F. Laughter
R. B. Alexander

W. P. Laughter
Oct. 26, 1900

La Vonia Laughter
Sept. 15, 1931

A. Vernon Laughter
April 23, 1991 Weatherford, Tx

Pearl Laughter
7-1-1969, Dallas Texas

T. L. Laughter - 1895 Feb

G. H. Laughter - Dec. 2, 18__

T. E. Laughter Moore

E. G. Laughter Davis M___
 

 

 

Copyright 2018- Present by submitter
All rights reserved

Created
Jul. 4, 2018
Updated
Jul. 11, 2018
   

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