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Matagorda County Recorded Texas Historic Landmark Home of Horace Yeamans
1024 FM 521 |
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Horace Yeamans, Sr. arrived in Matagorda County in 1829, a member of Stephen F. Austin's Latorial Colony. He served in the war against Mexico in the Army of the Republic of Texas. For his service he received a headright, patented land. He married Eliza Baxter. He helped organize the Trespalacios Baptist Church and was church clerk. He constructed two log houses on his land and in the late 1850s and hired a shipbuilder to construct a large house for his family. In 1859 Eliza, his wife, died and was buried in the small family cemetery near Cash's Creek. It is said that the carpenter, a shipbuilder from the East, heard about the fall of Ft. Sumpter and left before completing the house, in his rush to return home and join his fellowmen.
The two-story frame house is in good condition and
has withstood many storms. |
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HORACE YEAMANS, SR. Horace Yeamans, Sr., born 1811 in New York State, arrived in Matagorda County, Texas, 1829, with Stephen F. Austin’s Latorial Colony, died at age of 93, in 1904 at Matagorda, Texas, and is buried in Cemetery at Matagorda. He was married to Eliza Baxter on May 11, 1844, in said County (see Marriage Records Book A, Page 25). Six children were born to this union, namely: (1) B. A. Ben Yeamans, (2) Daniel Yeamans, (3) Horace Yeamans (Jr.), (4) Margaret (Maggie) Yeamans, wife of Charles D. Bruce, (5) Annie Yeamans, wife of R. L. O’Neal, and (6) Sarah (Sallie) Yeamans, wife of Charles C. Smith. All now deceased (1960). Eliza Baxter Yeamans, died in Matagorda County, Texas, (age 32) in 1859, August 22 (according to the MINUTES) and is buried in a small Family Cemetery on Cash’s Creek, the old Horace Yeamans home (now the Frank Stallard place). Horace Yeamans, Sr., served in the War against Mexico in the Army of the Republic of Texas, for which service he was granted Land Script. His “Headright” or 1/3 League of Land was located on the Waters of Cash’s Creek, in Matagorda County. After some delay this land was patented in his name as “H. Yeamans Survey, Abstract #416, in the year 1841. This became the H. Yeamans family Homestead. 295 acres of this survey is still in the Yeamans name and is owned by four of the Original Patentee’s Grandsons, namely, L. O. Yeamans, Eugene N. Yeamans, Charles V. Yeamans, and Victor Horace Yeamans. Deming's Bridge Cemetery, Tres Palacios Baptist Church 1852-1898 and Hawley Cemetery 1898-1960, printed May 1960 Died on 22 August 1859 Eliza Yeamans the wife of Horace Yeamans in the 32nd year of her age. Sister Yeamans was born in the Town of Manchaster England Feb. 3rd, 1828 and was baptized by Brother Noah Hill into the fellowship of the Baptist Church of Matagorda in October 1848. She together with her husband joined the Trespalacios Baptist Church July 4th 1852 on the day of its Organization in which Church she remained an orderly and consistent Member.
Tres Palacios Baptist Church minutes |
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One of the well known early settlers of Matagorda County was Horace Yeamans, son of Asa and Jerusha Wightman Yeamans, who was born at Elmira, New York, on July 5, 1811. In 1829, at the age of 18, he came to Matagorda with a group of colonists from New York brought by his uncle, Elias Wightman. Besides his parents, his brothers, Daniel, Joseph, Erastus and Elias Robert and his sister, Esther, made the trip down the Mississippi on a flatboat to New Orleans, where they boarded the schooner Little Zoe for the remainder of the trip. Also among the colonists were his grandparents, Benjamin Wightman, a veteran of the American Revolution from New York, and his wife, Esther Randall Wightman. His paternal grandparents were Daniel Yeamans, a veteran of the American Revolution from Connecticut, and his wife, the former Esther Sterling. Shortly after his arrival at Matagorda, Horace Yeamans moved to Brazoria County with his parents, where he farmed with much difficulty for one year, and then they moved to Kenner’s Prairie on Caney Creek, near the present town of Sargent. The formal education of Horace and his brothers in New York had been under the pedagogy of their uncle, Elias Wightman, who had also taught them surveying. When the harassment of the Mexican government became intolerable, he joined Aylett C. Buckner’s Fayette Company and participated in the Battle of Velasco on June 26, 1832. This marked the beginning of the struggle for Texas independence. Nearly four years later, on October 6, 1835, Horace Yeamans joined the Texas army as a private in Captain Bird’s Company of Texas Volunteers, and was at the Siege of Bexar. On December 20, 1835, he signed the First Declaration of Independence at LaBahia in Goliad. He was honorably discharged and re-enlisted in April, 1836, under Captain Bell. The company was proceeding to join the army of General Sam Houston, when the schooner on which the company was sailing ran aground on Red Fish Bar in Galveston Bay, thus preventing their joining the army at San Jacinto. Sacrifices for the victory were great. Asa Yeamans sent five sons off to war; only three returned. His two youngest sons, Erastus, age 20, and Elias Robert, age 18, were among the number massacred with Colonel James W. Fannin’s Company at LaBahia, Goliad, on Good Friday, March 27, 1836. On May 11, 1844, Horace Yeamans married Eliza Baxter, daughter of Robert and Margaret Tate Baxter of Manchester, England. She was born February 3, 1828, in Manchester. Her paternal grandparents were Williams and Catherine Watkins Baxter. She, her brother and sister are believed to have come to Matagorda with their uncle, William Baxter, an early Matagorda settler, when their father died leaving them orphans. For his services in the Texas army, Horace Yeamans received Bounty Warrant #1862 for 1/3 league of land on Cash’s Creek in Matagorda County. It was here that he and his bride built their home. The original house was a small structure, but as their family grew, an upper story and other rooms were added. Completed in 1854, it is one of the oldest homes continuously occupied in Matagorda County. The two-story structure with its handmade brick chimney has weathered numerous storms and now bears a Texas Historical Medallion. It is situated on Farm Road 521, two and one-half miles east of Highway 35, north of Palacios. Members of the Yeamans family were faithful Baptists, being lineally descended from prominent early colonial clergymen, the Reverend Roger Williams, the Reverend Obadiah Holmes and the Reverend Valentine Wightman. Horace and Eliza Baxter Yeamans became members of the Trepalacios Baptist Church, which was situated near present Hawley Cemetery. Horace served faithfully for over forty years as church clerk. Until he was too feeble to attend, Horace Yeamans regularly attended the Hawley camp meetings, where he would put two benches together and spread a blanket over himself and sleep soundly through the night. He is said to have awakened as refreshed and cheerful as the youngest among the campers. Horace and Eliza Baxter Yeamans had seven children, three sons and four daughters: Benjamin Asa, born in 1846; Jerusha Ann, born in 1848; Margaret Jane, forn 1849; Daniel Wightman, born 1853; Horace Moore, born 1854; Sarah E., born 1858; and Eliza Baxter, born 1859. During the nearly ninety-three years of his life, Horace Yeamans saw many changes in Matagorda County. He died April 30, 1904, in Matagorda, at the home of his daughter, Margaret Jane Yeamans Bruce and was buried in Matagorda Cemetery.
Historic Matagorda County, Volume I, pages
105-106 |
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To the Comptroller of the State of Texas: The petition of Horace Yeamans for pension, under the Act of the year 1870 granting pensions to the Soldiers of the War of Independence against Mexico in the years 1835 & 1836. I, Horace Yeamans, joined the Texas Army on the 6th day of October, 1835, as a private in Captain Bird's Company of Texas Volunteers, and served in said Company at San Antonio, and was present at the taking of the Alamo, after that I was honorably discharged from further service by Lt. T. Borden (Captain Bird, not being at the period of my discharge with his company). In the month of April 1836, I again joined the Texas Army and entered the service of the Texas Army under Captain Bell, and the company were proceeding to join the Army under General Sam Houston, when a steamer which the company were aboard ran aground in Galveston Bay, and we were delayed from joining the army before the battle of San Jacinto. When we received the news of the battle of San Jacinto, we were soon afterwards honorably discharged, to await our further services, which was never called for. I have received Land Certificates from the State of Texas for these periods of service amounting to two certificates of three hundred and twenty acres each. I am now a resident of Cash's Creek in the county of Matagorda. My age is now 59 years. I was born in July 1811 (15th day) in the state of New York, and have been a resident of the state of Texas since 1829. Sworn to and subscribed to by me on this the 17th day of Nov. 1870.
I William
Perserick [Prissick], a citizen of Matagorda County, State of
Texas, do hereby certify that I have known Horace Yeamans since the
year 1838 and am satisfied that his affadavit is just and true. I, Humphrey N. Gove, a resident Citizen of the state of Texas and County of Matagorda, for the last forty years, do hereby certify that I am fully satisfied that the affadavit of Horace Yeamans is just and true and that I have known him for the whole of said forty years. Humphrey N. Gove
15 Nov 1870 |
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In Memoriam.
Horace Yeamans Sr. died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. C. D. Bruce, in Matagorda, Texas, April 30th, 1904, after an illness of about ten days occasioned by a slight fall, together with old age.
The subject of this sketch was born in the state of New York, July 5, 1812, and immigrated to Texas with his parents and grandparents and landed in the town of Matagorda, Dec. 16, 1829, there being only two or three houses that constituted the town. He shortly afterwards move to Brazoria Co., with his parents, where he farmed one year under many difficulties and then to Kenner’s Prairie where he remained fifteen years and then went to Cash’s Creek where he was married in 1844 to Miss Eliza Baxter, daughter of Robt. Baxter, Sr., late from England, who preceded him to the glory land forty-six years, and in Aug. 1900 he came to live with his daughter in Matagorda where he remained until his death.
To him were born seven children; namely, B. A. Yeamans of Trespalacios, Dan Yeamans of San Antonio, Horace Yeamans of Cash’s Creek, Mrs. Annie O’Neill and Mrs. C. D. Bruce of Matagorda and Mrs. C. C. Smith of Bay City, one daughter having died in 1861 at the age of ten years. He leaves 27 grand children and six great-grandchildren and a sister who will be 91 years old in June.
He united with the Baptist church in early life and lived a consistent Christian life for about seventy-five years, leaving an example worthy to be imitated. He was also an old Mexican war veteran.
The funeral services were conducted at the Baptist Church by Rev. J. B. Armstrong, his pastor, and his remains were laid to rest in the Matagorda cemetery, there to await the resurrection morn when “the dead in Christ shall rise.”
Weep not, dear ones, as those who have no hope; a few more sad separations, a few more heartaches, a few more burning tears, a few more fleeting years and all will be over, and then the grand reunion on that beautiful shore, where sorrow, pain and death are felt and feared no more.
Farewell, dear father; We know and feel, That thou art gone to rest, God has said to such as thee, “Come dwell among the blest.”
Yes, thou art gone to rest, And free from every care. God helps the sorrowing ones Their heavy burdens bear.
Thou hast trod the rugged path of life, And stemmed its oceans foam, But now thou art borne on angel’s wings, To that blest and heavenly home.
Surely soon we’ll meet again Beyond the crystal sea And praise around God’s heavenly home And be again with thee.
Farewell, farewell ‘tis sad indeed When we know that we must part But Jesus knows our every need, And soothes the aching heart.
Almost a Centenarian
It was our privilege, on last Saturday afternoon, to sit in the Baptist
church in Matagorda and listen to the funeral discourse of Rev. J. B.
Armstrong over the remains of Horace Yeamans, Sr., who lacked but two
months of being 93 years old, and who had resided in this county since
1829--seventy-five years. Bro. Armstrong paid a beautiful and tender tribute to the character of the deceased, whom he had known intimately for twenty-five years. He said in times and amid surroundings which made it difficult for any man to live a consistent Christian life, Bro. Yeamans had steadfastly maintained a stalwart Christian integrity.
Full of years and bearing with him the honor and respect of a host of
the friends his long and well-spent life had drawn about him, the good
old man peacefully fell asleep, and tender hands laid him away in the
city of the dead to await the dawn of the eternal morning. Newspaper and date unknown
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William Henry and Amanda Burgreen Stallard, with their son, Frank Edward, came to Palacios in 1909 from Huntsville, Alabama. At that time south Texas land development was highly advertised. They arrived by train and stayed at the Hotel Wylie and Bonner Apartments until they purchased the Horace Yeamans farm from the M. Lipscomb family. The land was originally part of the Stephen F. Austin Colony. The house, which was built in the 1860s, was recognized as a Recorded Texas Historical Landmark. It is located on FM 521 north of Palacios. William Stallard's father came to America from England and settled in Ripon, Wisconsin. William was born there on April 12, 1850. Amanda Burgreen Stallard was born in Grenna, Sweden, on March 30, 1860. When she was seven years old, her family brought her to America. While traveling to file on a 160 acre homestead in Kansas, her mother and father died of typhoid fever. She then lived with her sister in Paxton, Illinois, when she and William met in Chicago and later married in Lincoln, Nebraska. They moved to Huntsville, Alabama, and it was there that their only child, Frank, was born on April 5, 1895. Frank Stallard was thirteen years old when his parents came to Palacios. He helped his father who farmed cotton and raised cattle. They also raised chickens and vegetables which they shipped by train to a processing company in Galveston. Frank learned butchering from his father who had worked in a Chicago meat packing house. They sold meat to households throughout Palacios. Amanda died on January 19, 1930; William died on October 22, 1950. On July 20, 1918, Frank married Fannie Mae Rockenbaugh, who had moved to Palacios with her family from Wills Point, Texas, in 1917. Fannie Mae's father came to Texas from Arkansas and her mother from Tennessee. Fannie Mae was born in Abilene, Texas, on November 9, 1901. Frank entered the service and served his country in France during World War I, and he and Fannie Mae then settled in the home place on Cash's Creek. To this union four daughters were born: Lucille Laverne (December 22, 1920-July 20, 2008), Novella Mae, and twins Frankie Faye and Fannie Raye. The girls attended the nearby Prairie Center School, and were graduated from Palacios High School. Lucille Stallard Alton and Frankie Faye Stallard Cooper lived in Palacios in 1984; and Novella Stallard Alton and Fannie Raye Stallard Ivy lived in San Antonio. Frank Stallard was employed by Matagorda County for many years. He was especially remembered for the delicious vegetables he grew and shared with others. Frank, who died on May 4, 1975, attended the First Baptist Church where Fannie Mae continued to enjoy membership in 1984. She still resided on the homeplace, with the Texas State Historical Marker, on Cash's Creek. She had six surviving grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Historic Matagorda County, Volume II, pages 511-512, 1986 |
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William Henry Stallard, 90, a resident of Palacios since 1909, died here Sunday. Born April 12, 1860, in Ripon, Wisconsin, Mr. Stallard met and married Miss Amanda Burgreen in Lincoln, Nebraska, shortly afterwards the young couple moved to Huntsville, Alabama. In 1895, while still living in Alabama, their only child, Frank E. Stallard, was born. Mr. Stallard and his family moved to Palacios in November, 1909, and he lived here until his death. Mrs. Stallard, who died January 20, 1930, was buried in Palacios Cemetery, where Mr. Stallard was buried Monday. Among relatives attending services were his son, Frank, of Palacios, Mr. and Mrs. Walker Alton of Austin, and Mrs. Evelyn Tabor and her daughter and grandson of Houston. Among friends from out-of-town were Mr. and Mrs. Joe Kees and son of Brazoria.
Palacios Beacon,
October 26, 1950 |
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Mrs. W. H. Stallard, who had been seriously ill the past week, passed away at her home, Monday night and was buried in the Palacios cemetery Wednesday, the funeral services being conducted by Rev. G. F. Gillespie, assisted by Rev. M. C. Stearns. Amanda Burgreen was born in Sweden, March 30, 1861, and came to America when she was eight years of age. On November 1, 1885 she was married to William Henry Stallard, and to this union was born one child, Frank Edward Stallard, who with the husband, two grand daughters and a host of friends are left to mourn her loss. She and her family came from Alabama to Texas in the year of 1909 and have since made their home at their farm home north of Palacios. Mrs. Stallard was a member of the Lutheran Church, a true friend and neighbor, a devoted wife and loving mother. The many friends of the bereaved family extend heartfelt sympathy in this sad hour.
Palacios Beacon, January 23, 1930 |
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Funeral services for Frank Edward Stallard were held at the Palacios Funeral Home Chapel. TUesday afternoon, May 6, at 3 p. m. with the Rev. Leon Maxwell and Rev. J. R. Gwin officiating. Interment was in the Palacios Cemetery. Son of the late William Henry Stallard and Amanda Pierce Stallard, he was born April 5, 1895, in Huntsville, Alabama. A resident of this area since 1909 and a veteran of World War I, he was a retired county maintainer operator and farmer. He passed away at his home Sunday morning, May 4. He is survived by his wife, Fannie Mae Stallard: four daughters, Mrs. Lloyd (Lucille) Alton, Mrs. Paul (Frankie Faye) Cooper, all of Palacios; Mrs. Walter (Novella) Alton of Corpus Christi, Mrs. Bill (Fannie Raye) Ivy of San Antonio and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a grandson.
Newspaper and date not recorded. |
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PALACIOS--Fannie Mae Stallard, 96, of Palacios, died Monday, Nov. 10, 1997. She was born Nov. 9, 1901, in Abilene, to the late John Henry and Martha Elizabeth Pierce Rockenbaugh. SHe was a homemaker. She was a member of First Baptist Church, VFW Post No. 2467 Ladies Auxiliary, the Wednesday Club and Home Demonstration Club, and was a former member of Wagner General Hospital Pink Ladies. Survivors: daughters, Frankie Faye Cooper and Lucille Alton, both of Palacios, Novella Alton of Marble Falls and Fannie Raye Ivy of San Antonio; six grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by: husband, Frank Edward Stallard; three sisters; four brothers; one grandson; and two great-grandsons. Family visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Palacios Funeral Home Chapel. Services will be at 2 p. m. Thursday at First Baptist Church in Palacios, the Rev. Hollas Hoffman and Brother Shan Jackson officiating. Burial will be at Palacios Cemetery. Palacios Funeral Home, Palacios, 972-2012. Memorials: First Baptist Church CLC of Palacios or donor's choice.
Newspaper and date not recorded |
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Novella Mae Stallard was born on June 18, 1923, in Palacios, Texas. She died at the age of 98 on July 23, 2021, in Marble Falls, Texas. She was one of four daughters born to Frank and Fannie Mae Stallard. She had a happy childhood, growing up in Palacios. On August 30, 1941, Novella married Walter Issac Alton, not long before he went off to fight in World War II. After returning home from the war, they adopted Christopher Wade Alton, their only child, and spent most of their years living in San Antonio, Texas. Walt was killed in a car accident June 10, 1990. In 1997, Novella moved to Marble Falls to live near her son Chris, daughter-in-law Pat and their two daughters. Novella quickly got involved in the community, joining First United Methodist Church, Retired Teachers Association, Republican Women’s Association, and Highland Lakes Singles Club, where she met and fell in love with Raymond Lewis Bales of Marble Falls. They were married on November 30, 2004. In 2018, Novella moved to Granite Mesa Health Center in Marble Falls, where she lived until her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, called her to spend Eternal Life with Him and all the Saints. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Walter Issac Alton; parents, Frank and Fannie Mae Stallard, sister, Lucille Alton; and son, Christopher Wade Alton. She is survived by her husband, Raymond Lewis Bales and children of Marble Falls; sisters, Frankie Faye Cooper of Palacios and Fannie Raye and Bill Ivy of San Antonio; daughter-in-law, Pat Alton Crawford and husband Jim of Marble Falls; granddaughters Rachel Alton and husband Jesse Ramazani of Austin and Emily Alton and Maddie Hoskins of Austin; and great-grandchildren, Kinley Alton and Parker Hughes; along with many nieces, nephews, family and friends. Celebration of Life to be held at a later date due to COVID concerns.
Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home & Palacios Beacon, August 18, 2021 |
