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John Cockrell Carrington was born on October 30, 1852, in Bozier Parish, Louisiana. His parents were Edward C. (November 20, 1819) and Caroline C. Cockrell Carrington (February 23, 1831). Edward C. Carrington was born in Virginia and Caroline C. Cockrell Carrington was born in South Carolina. John Cockrell Carrington’s parents and grandparents, along with their slaves and household goods, left Virginia to move to Texas in 1855. They stopped in Louisiana for a short period and then moved on to Texas and settled in Burleson County near a town which was then known as Dog Town, but was later named Tunis. John Cockrell’s father was a surveyor and he taught young John those same skills. During the Civil War, John’s father was appointed by the Confederacy to look after the wives and children of men who were serving in the Confederate Army as he was unable to serve in the army because of ill health. John Cockrell assisted him in this work. John Cockrell “J. C.” married Betty Christopher when he was nineteen years old. Betty died at the birth of their only child, Edward Ebenezer. J. C. then married Heppie Caroline Stephens on March 30, 1875, in Burleson County, in a service presided over by the Reverend Lackey. They were the parents of nine children: George, Mary, Nellie, Ozelle, John, Henry, Walter, Al and Callie. J. C. taught school in Burleson County as a young man, but later moved to the Indian Territory before Oklahoma became a state. He was a member of the first legislature to assemble in Oklahoma. After several years, he decided to move back to Texas because he did not like the frequent cyclones that struck in Oklahoma. J. C. and his older sons came in wagons to South Texas about 1893, and his wife and the small children followed by train. The family lived near Velasco for a while but later moved to a location near the area now known as Sargent in Matagorda County. He was appointed by the State to serve on the Fish and Oyster Commission, and also farmed and did survey work. J. C. Carrington was elected to serve as County Surveyor of Matagorda County in 1896, and moved his house and family to Bay City in 1897. In 1984 his youngest child, Callie Blaylock, still lived in the old home place at 2400 Avenue I.
He held the office of County Surveyor for twenty years without an opponent. While he was County Surveyor, he did a complete survey of Matagorda County; a job that required two years to complete. J. C. Carrington supervised the construction of the first shell road in Matagorda County which went from Bay City to Matagorda. He also surveyed the first cemetery in Bay City, Cedarvale and was given five grave lots for his work. Many young Bay City men had their first jobs on J. C. Carrington’s survey crew carrying the chain or rod. Some of those who worked on these early crews were: Grover Moore, J. C. Lewis, Fred Gillette and Arniel Baker. The crew would travel by mule team to a location and set up their camp. They slept in tents, and a chuck wagon with “Old Matt” as cook prepared their meals.
The Carrington’s sons, along with other young people in the town, were tutored by the Reverend Sloan, Episcopal Minister, to prepare them for college entrance. Their youngest daughter, Callie, attended a private school taught by Miss Tenie Holmes and later attended public school. Among those who attended Miss Holmes school at that time were Mary and Henry Rugeley and Harry and Elmore Hawkins. J. C. Carrington held the office of Commander of the Sons of the Confederacy and was affectionately called “Captain.” He was always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need, especially the families of old soldiers. James Cockrell and Heppie Caroline Carrington celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1925 with a gala affair held on the lawn of their home. Japanese lanterns were used to decorate and a barbecue dinner was served to about one hundred guests. Mrs. Bowie, from Cedar Lane, played the piano and Mrs. Irby Stinnett sang. Judge Carpenter spoke on behalf of the Sons of the Confederacy and presented the Carringtons with an engraved sterling silver piece. Miss Florence Bouldin spoke on behalf of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, an organization in which Heppie Caroline held membership. J. C. was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Knights of Pythias, Woodmen of the World, and the Baptist Church. After he retired he and a former employee, Clark Watkins, spent much time hunting and fishing. James Cockrell Carrington died on November 3, 1931, at the age of seventy-nine and was buried in Cedarvale Cemetery. At the time of his death he was survived by his wife and six children; E. E., Mary Carrington Montgomery, Henry, Walter, Al, and Callie Carrington Blaylock, and thirteen grandchildren. Heppie Caroline Carrington died on June 10, 1944, at the age of eighty-eight and was buried beside her husband in Cedarvale Cemetery.
Historic Matagorda County, Volume II,
pages 76-77 |
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Capt. J. C. Carrington, one of this section’s most highly respected and best loved of men, died at his home in this city this morning at 9:45 o’clock after many months of illness. The funeral, under the direction of Taylor Brothers, will be held Thursday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock from the Baptist Church with Captain Carrington’s pastor, Rev. Odis Rainer, Baptist minister in charge of the ceremonies. In the death of this good man the city and county lose one of our foremost citizens, his family a loving husband and father, his associates a splendid friend and his community, a matchless neighbor. His life amongst us was one of example, rectitude and dependability. His character was frank and sincere and his loyalty unquestioned. His jovial smile and genuine handclasp will be missed by all of those with whom he was wont to mingle. John Cockrell Carrington, a scion of the “Old South,” Mason, member of the Baptist Church, friend and companion was born in Bossier Parish, La., 79 years ago, coming to Texas at an early age and then this part of the state in the infancy of this city in the late 90’s. From the very beginning of his residence here he became active in local affairs and politics, and upon different occasions, held positions of trust. At the time of his death he was county surveyor, civil engineering being his vocation. Captain Carrington’s obsession was found in his loyalty and devotion to the “Lost Cause.” He was intensely Southern and took a beautiful interest in everything touching the Confederacy, the Veterans of the Confederacy, the Sons or the Daughters. He was commanding officer of the Sons of Veterans and his keenest delight, his greatest pleasure was always in any effort he could direct toward the comfort, enjoyment or entertainment of the old Confederate soldiers and their families. His love for this cause, lost as it was, though great, was pathetic, and his demise removes a great champion thereof. Captain Carrington is survived by his wife, a devoted companion of many years and by the following children: Mrs. Sam Montgomery of Port Neches, Mr. Henry Carrington of Costa Rica, Mr. Walter Carrington of Maracaibo, Venezuela, Mr. Al Carrington of this city and Mrs. Buck Blaylock, also of this city. To them the sympathy of the entire community is extended.
The Dally Tribune, July 30, 1951 |
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Hulen Allen “Buck” Blaylock was born on September 26, 1897, in Belton, Texas. He came to Bay City in 1920 from Granger, Texas and worked for the Bud Barns Garage. He was later employed by Rugeley Motor Company, and worked there for forty years until he retired in 1963. He was also a member of the Bay City Volunteer Fire Department for forty years. Buck died on September 24, 1964, and is buried in Cedarvale Cemetery. Cynthia Caroline “Callie” Carrington was born on February 13, 1897, in Matagorda County, Texas. She attended the Bay City schools, and was graduated from Jefferson Davis High School in 1915. She took the state examinations and received a teacher’s certificate, but never taught school. Instead she attended the business college in Bay City and worked for her father, J. C. Carrington, who was a surveyor. Her work required her to keep books, record field notes of surveys in the county clerk’s office, and help with map making. At that time all of this work was done by hand. Buck and Callie were married on June 12, 1921, in Bay City by Reverend T. V. Herndon. They were the parents of two children, a daughter, Cleo Caroline (b. September 29, 1926) and a son, Hulen Allen, Jr. (b. March 23, 1931). Cleo Blaylock married Howard Norman Barkley, Jr., on January 30, 1947, and they were the parents of Margaret Caroline and H. N. Barkley III. H. N. Barkley died on January 14, 1978. Al Blaylock married Nancy Moore on May 16, 1953, and they were the parents of two children, Layton Moore and Susan Carrington. Their grandchildren were Leeann Caroline Funk and Layton Allen Funk. Callie did not work outside her home after her marriage, but became a volunteer worker for the Bay City Public Library. After the death of the librarian, Mrs. Kilbride, Callie became librarian for the one room library. The library grew in size over the years and Callie continued to work as a volunteer long past retirement age. Callie was active in the First Baptist Church, served in many offices, and was a Sunday school teacher. She was a member of the Bay City Book Review Club, the Christian Women’s Club and the A. A. R. P.
Historic Matagorda County, Volume II, page
43 |
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Funeral services for Cynthia Caroline “Callie” Carrington Blaylock, 101, of Bay City were at 2 p. m. Saturday, May 2 at the First Baptist Church with Rev. Mike Zimmerman and Rev. W. D. Baker officiating. Interment followed at Cedarvale Cemetery in Bay City.
Blaylock passed away Wednesday, April 29 at the Legacy Healthcare Center in Bay City. She was born Feb. 13, 1897 near Sargent to John Cockrell Carrington and Heppie Stephens Carrington. She was a resident of Bay City since 1898, when her family moved to Bay City and her father became Matagorda County Surveyor.
She joined the First Baptist Church in 1909, graduated from Bay City High School in 1915, and then worked in the County Surveyor’s office for her father. The loves of her life were her family, the church and the library.
She began substituting at the library for Mrs. Grover Moore, the librarian and neighbor, in the 1930’s, and then became the librarian in 1947 and continued until she retired in the middle 1970’s. She continued to work part time at the library until she was 90 years old. She entered Matagorda House in November of 1993 and lived there until her death.
She is survived by one daughter, Cleo Barkley of Houston; one son and daughter-in-law, Al Blaylock and Nancy of Dallas; three grandchildren, Margaret and husband Dr. Charles Goolsbee of Houston, Layton Blaylock and wife Nita of Austin, Susan and husband Dr. Paul Funk of Dallas; two great grandchildren, Leeann and Layton Funk of Dallas; and by her special friend, Helen “Boo” Neary.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Hulen Allen “Buck” Blaylock, and a grandson, Norman Barkley, III.
Pallbearers were Dr. Fred Matthes, Carl Anderson, Pat Matthes, Dr. Bryan Simons, E. M. Huitt, and Donald Pollard. Honorary pallbearers were Harley Savage, Dr. Clyde Funk, Roy Sanders, James Sowell, Glyn Kinsey, Gerald Ussery, Stan Eldridge, Wayne Michael, Robbins Odom, Gaston Morton, Rector Walton, Gerald Rowland, Morris Richardson, and Hollie Briscoe.
The family suggests that memorials may be made to the Bay City Library, the First Baptist Church, or the charity of your choice.
Arrangements are with Taylor Bros. Funeral Home in Bay City.
The Daily Tribune,
Wednesday, April 15, 1998 |
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