Pumphrey Cemetery                 Photos & information courtesy of William A. Matthews
 

The Pumphrey family is descended from George Pumphrey, who, with his 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 their years of maturity when the brothers 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 be became a large slave owner and spent the remainder of his life. His children were John R., Leva, Nathan, Lewis, Louisa (Mrs. Pratt), Florida (Mrs. Brazill) and Margaret (Mrs. T. L. Bennett).

John R. Humphrey, the eldest son, was born and reared in Alabama, where he also became a prominent planter, but in an early day he removed to Arkansas, where, with his large family, he opened a large farm and there the remainder of his children were born. Both he and his wife were members of the Baptist Church and they became the parents of the following children:
Jesse N., the father of Mrs. Laughter
Clarissa
Morgan who died in Alabama
John who served throughout the war of the rebellion
Lewis who was a lieutenant of his company in the Confederate Army and was killed in Virginia
Elizabeth
Mary, all of whom were born in Alabama
Monroe
Dennis who enlisted for service in the Civil war but was discharged on account of his disability.
The last two named were born in Arkansas.

Jesse N. Pumphrey was born in Alabama in 1826, and accompanied his parents on their removal to Arkansas, where he grew to years of maturity and was married. In 1852 he came to Jackson County, Texas, and soon had a good farm opened for agricultural pursuits. After many years, however, he sold the old homestead and retired from the active cares of a business life. He still lives at the ripe age of eighty one years. He was a successful farmer and also handled much stock, but the war released 30 of his slaves and therefore his estate was much diminished. He has been a strong democrat in his political affiliations, and for a number of years served as the county and district clerk. His fraternal relations are with the Masonic Order in which he rose to the Royal Arch Degree. He entered the Confederate Army in 1862, becoming a member of a company that had been formed in Jackson County, but which had already gone to the front; he, with four companions following it to Little Rock, Arkansas, where they were sworn in as members of Company C., Fourteenth Texas Cavalry, under Col. M. T. Johnson and Lieutenant Colonel Ira Camp. Consigned to the army of Tennessee, their first battle was at Farmington, after which they were ordered to Corinth, but did not arrive in time to participate in that engagement. However, they had many skirmishes enroute and at Cupola, Mississippi, Mr. Pumphrey was honorably discharged on account of disability and returned home, but as soon as he was recuperated, he joined the state militia and patrolled the coast. When his command was on Mustang Island, near Corpus Christi, they had a conflict with the Yankees; in which, with others, he was taken prisoner and carried to New Orleans. There they were imprisoned in the second floor of a two-story brick house, but after four months, he, with eighteen others, escaped by digging three holes through their building and the brick one adjoining it, made a rope of their blankets which reached within six feet of the ground, and thus all made their escape, although the building was well guarded with federal troops. Mr. Pumphrey remained with a companion, a physician, and being ill, they made their way to a house of a friend of the latter, where they were concealed and cared for for fourteen days, when they started on foot for Jackson County, reaching their destination after much difficulty. General Magruder gave them a forty days furlough, after which they joined Captain Scott's cavalry Company and served until the close of the war. During the latter part of his service, Mr. Pumphrey was engaged in patrolling coast districts from Galveston to Brownsville. During his military career he had many narrow escapes from death often having his clothes pierce by bullets.

Mr. Pumphrey was married in Arkansas to Miss Mary S. Matthews, a native of Georgia and a daughter of Loderick and Mary (Harrell) Matthews, who were married in Georgia, but later removed to Alabama, and in 1841 to Arkansas, while in 1851 they came to Jackson County, Texas. During their residence in Alabama they had much trouble with the Indians and they there also opened two or three farms. The journey to this state was made overland, bringing with them a large number of slaves, and they purchased an extensive tract of land a few miles west of where Edna is now located, where the father was extensively engaged in agricultural pursuits and stock raising until his life's labors were ended in death in 1855, at which time he left a large estate and sixty negroes. Both Loderick and Mary were consistent members of the Baptist Church and in their family were the following children:
Benjamin, who served as captain of his company in the Confederate Army and after a close of the war returned to Arkansas, where he served as a County Clerk for a number of years, and his death occurred in that state.
John who died in Texas
Madison, who also died in this state
Allen who rose to the rank of Lieutenant in the Confederate service and was afterwards made high sheriff of Jackson County
Dade who died during his service in the civil war
Missouri, who became Mrs. Ben Cochran
Lucinda, Mrs. Laclere
Louisiana, and
Mary S. who became the mother of Mrs. Laughter.

To Jesse Newton and Mary Sauls Matthews Pumphrey were born the following children:
Pike, who removed to the west and his present residence is not known
Lavina (Mrs. Laughter)
Blake, who died at the age of twelve years
Ray, deceased at the age of Eighteen years
Jessie, who married Richard Saunders, a farmer and merchant
Allen, who died when young
Lee, nee Mrs. Gaines and
Muris D. who was formerly engaged in agricultural pursuits, but now in the artesian well business.

Mr. Pumphrey, the father of these children is the only member of his father's family now living; and although he has passed his four score years, he is yet hale and hearty.
 

J. N. Pumphrey

Pumphrey.--Edna, Texas, December 17.--J. N. Pumphrey, a pioneer citizen of this county, died here this afternoon, at the home of his son-in-law, R. C. Saunders, after a long illness. Mr. Pumphrey was 82 years of age. Deceased served throughout the civil war as a Confederate soldier, and spent many months in a Federal prison.

Houston Post, December 21, 1909
 

Georgie Pumphrey Moore
August 25, 1908 - May 24, 2008
Born in Edna, Texas - Resided in Baytown, Texas

Georgie Pumphrey Moore died on May 24, 2008. She was born August 25, 1908, in Edna, Texas, to Murus Dennis Pumphrey and Mattie Dibrell Simons Pumphrey. She attended the College of Industrial Arts in Denton, Texas and the College of Arts and Industries in Kingsville, Texas, obtaining a degree in primary education. She taught for 9 years in Edna, Texas. She and her sister, Meadie Pumphrey, started the first Girl Scout troop in Edna during this period. 

Georgie married Carl Moore in 1938 and moved to Baytown, where she lived the remainder of her life. She was active in Grace United Methodist Church and served the church in many roles. She was devoted to her immediate and extended families and was always willing to help when the need arose. She was a loving, caring, and generous wife, mother, and grandmother who kept up with friends and family, always showing her thoughtfulness and concern for others. She loved people and she loved life. She was an excellent cook, three of her specialties being cakes, bread, and gingerbread houses. She also enjoyed sewing and making dolls, especially Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls. She took pleasure in all she did, especially when helping others. 

Georgie was preceded in death by her husband, Carl Moore, in 1978, and by her son, John Carl Moore, in 1986. She also was preceded in death by her sisters, Jessie Lee Pumphrey, Mattie Meade Pumphrey, Mary Lois Williams, and Cornelia Ray Plagens and her brother, M. D. Pumphrey, II. 

She is survived by her daughter, Marjorie Record and her husband, Harry Record, of Pittsburg, Texas, by her granddaughter, Janet Record and her husband, Matthew Helm, of Baltimore, Maryland, and by her granddaughter, Karen Record, of Bulverde, Texas. She also leaves a number of nieces, nephews, cousins and their extended families, all of whom were extremely dear to her. 

Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 pm Tuesday, May 27 at Navarre Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 2 pm on Wednesday, May 28 at Navarre Funeral Home in Baytown with Rev. Ken Goodell of Grace United Methodist Church and Father Charles Brown of St. James House of Baytown officiating. Interment will be at 1 pm Thursday May 29 in Memory Gardens at Edna, Texas. A second visitation will be held at Edna First United Methodist Church following the graveside service.

Georgie's family offer special thanks to Dr. James Bernick for his professional care and kindness. Special thanks also go to her wonderful and devoted caregivers, Catherine Ford and Alice Lopez. We also thank the staff and volunteers of St. James House for the loving care and attention given to her these past three years. Thanks also go to the staff of Swan Manor, where she lived for four years prior to St. James House. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, 304 North Pruitt St, Baytown, TX 77520, First United Methodist Church, 216 West Main St. Edna, TX 77957; or the charity of your choice. 

Arrangements are under the direction of Navarre Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 2444 Rollingbrook Dr., Baytown, TX, 77521, (281) 422-8111.

Navarre Funeral Home, Baytown, Texas                               Obituary Courtesy of William A. Matthews

Photo courtesy of James Find A Grave Volunteer 47607551