The Independent, Brazoria, TX, April 15, 1881

Frederick Clarence McCamly
January 28, 1854 Matagorda, Matagorda County, Texas
November 18, 1887 Galveston, Galveston County, Texas
Buried Morton Cemetery, Richmond, Fort Bend County, Texas

Frederick was the son of John W. McCamly (b c 1811 NY - ????) and Sarah Frances Davis (February 21, 1825 Williamson County, Texas - 1867 Matagorda County, Texas) who married July 16, 1846 in Matagorda County, Texas.

Other children of John W. and Sarah Frances Davis McCamly were:
Ellen McCamly (May 16, 1847 - August 1, 1849) buried at Matagorda Cemetery
William A. McCamly (June 20, 1849 Matagorda County - November 2, 1908 San Antonio, Bexar County, TX)
John W. McCamly (born August 7, 1851 Matagorda County)

On January 7, 1874 in Calhoun County, TX,  Fred married Rosa Forrest Croom (November 4, 1857 - January 31, 1945 Wharton, Wharton County, Texas) who was also buried at Morton Cemetery in Richmond. She was the daughter of John Lafayette Croom (November 26, 1826 La Grange,  AL - April 26, 1912 Wharton, Wharton County, TX) and Ellen Robertson Davis (November 28, 1830 Franklin, TN - October 12/13, 1901 Wharton, Wharton County, TX ) who married at Matagorda on November 5, 1846.

Rosa was baptized at Christ Episcopal Church in Matagorda in August 1864. The church records note Ellen Croom was a member, but the father, John L., was not. Rosa's siblings, Willie Jesse Croom (b November 28, 1852) and Julia Longstreet Croom (b August 3, 1859) were baptized at Christ Church on September 20, 1864.

Children of Fred and Rosa McCamly were:

1. John Croom McCamly, died in infancy

2. Rosa Croom McCamly (February 14, 1875 - July 15, 1946)  married John Pettus Stansbury (August 20, 1870 - April 7, 1948) in 1898 and were later divorced.
      (Both are buried Morton Cemetery, Richmond, Fort Bend County, Texas)
      [Rosa's baptismal record at Christ Church indicates she was bor September 14, 1874 and baptized May 16, 1875.]

3. Ada Kelley McCamly March 1, 1878 Galveston, Galveston County, Texas - October 22, 1897 Wharton
      (Buried Morton Cemetery, Richmond, Fort Bend County, Texas) Ada was baptized at Christ Church on May 5, 1878.

4. Mazie Clare McCamly April 5, 1880 Matagorda - May 1, 1881 Matagorda (Buried Matagorda Cemetery)

5. Frederick Clarence McCamly Jr.,  October 10, 1886 - September 1977
 

The Nation, Richmond, TX, August 15 1884
 

Prominent Lawyer Dead.

Special to the Gazette.

RICHMOND, TEX, Nov. 19.--Fred. C. McCamly, one of the most prominent attorneys of this place, died in Galveston on yesterday of paralysis. His death was not altogether unexpected as he has been suffering from this disease several weeks. His death has cast a gloom over the entire city. He leaves a wife and two children and many warm friends to mourn his loss. His remains will be brought here for interment to-day at the city cemetery.

Fort Worth Daily Gazette, November 20, 1887
 

Rosa F. McCamly was a member of the Library Association in Wharton and in 1903 and served on the by-laws committee for the library association as they endeavored to establish a public library as well as various offices after it was founded. --Handbook of Texas Libraries, Texas Library Association
 

	Fred C. McCamly
	Rosa Forrest McCamly

Photos courtesy of Find A Grave volunteer Nancy Ann Mull Buchanan #47089671
 

[The John W. McCamly, father of Mrs. Frances A. Newsom, appears to be the same man who was the father of Frederick Clarence McCamly. According to Mrs. Newsom's death certificate, her mother's name was Amy Buck. Matagorda marriage records indicate John W. McCamly and Sarah Frances in Matagorda in 1846. It is possible that Sarah was his second wife since he is about 15 years older than she was. Mrs. Newsom "Fanny A. McCamly" married John W. Gordon, Jr. in Matagorda County on November 22, 1855. If she is John's daughter, where was she when the 1850 census was taken. Yet another mystery!]

Some Reminiscences of Early Days in Texas

Mrs. Newsom Tells of Conditions at Matagorda

Came to State With Her Father in 1844.
Interesting Information Concerning Society of the Times.

By S. S. Lesesne

Far back in the settlement of New York the three Sand brothers came from Scotland and settled at what is now known as Sandy Point on Long Island. This point was named for these Sand brothers. A large progeny descended from these three brothers, among whom were the three McCamly brothers, who came to Texas and made Matagorda their home when that old and once important Texas town had scarcely reached the proportions of a large sized village.

John W. McCamly was one of these brothers. He and his two brothers, Samuel and Anthony, came as Texas pioneers about the time that the second contingent of Austin’s colony arrived. Samuel McCamly returned to New York. The remains of Anthony lie buried on Matagorda Peninsula, and the body of John W. McCamly now sleeps in the cemetery in the old town of Matagorda.

J. W. McCamly’s daughter, Mrs. Frances A Newsom, who is now living with her daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. R. B. Houston in Wharton, Tex., came from New York with her father before annexation. Mrs. Newsom has always made Texas her home, and no one who has ever met her can for one moment question her intense loyalty and devotion to the state of her adoption. Her bright and clear mind and memory are well charged with many interesting facts connected with the early settlement of the country.

She has been twice married, her first husband being Mr. J. W. Gordon, a son of General John W. Gordon Sr., of Georgia.

Love For Texas.

But we will let Mrs. Newsom tell us of those halcyon days of the past about which old Texans love to talk. In effect she is quoted as saying: “New York was my birthplace, but Texas is my home and my beloved state. Even her hills, valleys, prairies, forests and streams are sacred to me. I have seen the ground and incomparable old commonwealth under varying conditions, both in seasons of adversity and prosperity and her history and traditions will ever remain green in my memory as does the oasis in the desert. How could I forget, or cease to love my dear old Texas—a state where wealth is enthroned in her soil, and glory in her golden sunshine?

Settled at Goliad.

“My father, John W. McCamly, came to Texas about the time that the second installment of Austin’s colony arrived. The most of these colonists settled near the coast, but he went to Goliad and engaged in the mercantile business. The Mexicans and Indians combining made a raid in 1836 upon Goliad, and the burning of his store was among the depredations committed by them.

“He then returned to Matagorda where a company was organized to protect the people against such raids. He was placed in command of this company, but being of a restless and adventuresome nature he voluntarily surrendered the command to Colonel Thomas Stewart and became a scout.

“The Indians, knowing the sand bars and reefs in the bays, could have easily crossed from the mainland to Matagorda Peninsula and suddenly swooped down upon the settlements immediately along the coast. To prevent such surprises, scouts were constantly kept out looking for the approach of bands of hostile Indians.

“Further often went far into the interior, frequently suffering for food before he could return to the settlements.

“The fleetness of his horse in taking him to the bottoms and cane brakes saved him many times from the arrows and scalping knives of blood-thirsty Indians.

“After it became evident that Polk would be elected president, and knowing his election would insure the annexation of Texas, father returned to New York for his family and brought us to Matagorda.

News of Polk’s Election

“When we arrived there the election was over. We brought the news that Polk was elected, and the people there celebrated the democratic victory on the night of our arrival, a few tar barrels being used for making a bonfire. There was great rejoicing among them over the assured certainty that Texas would soon become one of the states of the American union, and father was one of the happiest of those who were celebrating the great event. It was not long after this before the men began to volunteer and leave for the Mexican war, General Ben McCulloch was among those whom I saw leaving to join General Taylor’s army.

“In coming from New York to Texas in those days the change in environments was so great that it almost made us feel like we had been transported to an entirely new world that had not been finished. Everything seemed strange and unique. While I would have gone anywhere with father, I could not help wondering to myself: ‘Where has he brought us?’

“On our way to Matagorda we stopped at Galveston, which looked like an insignificant little village that had been scooped up from the gulf.

“I went to school at Matagorda to Rev. Ives, the first Episcopal minister to come and organize the Episcopal Church in Texas.

Matagorda’s Society.

“The society of Matagorda in the balmy days of her prosperity was as elegant as could be found anywhere on the American Continent. To become a member of society in Matagorda insured a passport to that of any state, city or community in the United States.

“In those years Matagorda was the seat of Texas wealth and aristocracy. The people were wealthy, cultured and sociable, and entertained with the most liberal prodigality. Their guests were treated as members of the family. Their fine homes were elegantly furnished and supplied with numerous well-trained servants and every convenience necessary for making life gay, happy and delightful.

“It was famous as a winter resort, and during that season the pleasure-seekers and society devotees came there from all sections of the union. George Ludlow, who became governor of Ohio, had a wealthy aunt living there, and he was quite a familiar figure in society circles in Matagorda during the gala season. John Donaldson and other nephews of President Andrew Jackson were also numbered among the annual winter visitors.

Much in Society Way.

“The wealthy citizens kept open house, and dancing, balls, social visiting and gatherings, riding parties, excursions on the hay, etc., following one after another, made society life in the old town one continual round of pleasure.

“I have made many trips with my father on the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, and on the gulf, the Great Lakes and on the principle navigable rivers, as well as on the Erie Canal. I came with him from New Orleans to Galveston on the first steamer that made that voyage. It was a small tub of a vessel, and she rolled with the waves to such an extent that the passage was very disagreeable. Her name was the New York and Captain Wright was her commander.

“I am living in a house where four generations are represented. I am 77 years old, and… have never reached above witch’s weight.”

Mrs. Newsom is one of those excellent old Texas ladies who has many friends in Texas and elsewhere, who hold her in the highest regard, especially is this true of her in Wharton, where she lives.

Galveston Daily News, January 28, 1912