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Rockport Cemetery
historical marker
Photo courtesy Ken
Rudine, 3-04 |
Historical Marker:
Rockport Cemetery
This
cemetery has served the citizens of Rockport
and Fulton for over a century. The
oldest marked grave is that of Emma Fulton (d. 1876), granddaughter
of George Ware Fulton, who was instrumental in the development of
the area and was interred in the cemetery in 1893. A large number
of burials took place here in 1918, the year of a devastating influenza
epidemic. The cemetery contains the graves of veterans of the Texas
Revolution, Civil War, World
War I, World
War II, Korea, and Vietnam. The Rockport Cemetery Association
maintains the historic graveyard.
(1988) |
The tombstone
of Emma Fulton. "The oldest marked grave" according to the
Rockport Cemetery Historical marker
Photo courtesy Ken
Rudine, 3-04 |
Rockport Cemetery
Information
Editor’s note:
Our thanks to Judy Trahan who took the time to alert us to an error
which appears on our coverage of Rockport. Her letter follows:
“Regardless of what the Texas Historical Marker says,
there are several marked graves in the Rockport cemetery that are
older than that of Emma
Fulton. I am including photos of some older graves.
Emma Fulton died in 1876 while Andrew J. Hogan died in 1874, John
Choate and his brother Crockett in August of 1869 and Cora Caldwell
Mathis in October of that same year. There are others. That historical
marker could use correcting." |
Tombstone of
Andrew J. Hogan
Photo courtesy Judy Trahan |
Andrew J.
Hogan
Born in Kentucky 1836
Died Dec. 8th 1874
Sacred to the Memory of Andrew J. Hogan
Aged 38 Years
He was at one time the postmaster and part owner of a saloon. |
Tombstone of
John Choate
Photo courtesy Judy Trahan |
John
Choate
Born: Jul. 25, 1818 in Louisiana
Died: Aug. 3, 1869 San Patricio County, Texas
There is no actual headstone, but on the top slab of John Choate's
grave is written:
”SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF JOHN CHOATE
Who was born in the State of Louisiana on the 25th day of July A.D.
1818 and was killed at his residence in San Patricio Co. Texas on
the 3rd day of August A.D. 1869
A good man and true has gone to his rest. He was an affectionate husband,
a good neighbor, a warm friend and a zealous Mason.
This simple tribute to his memory was erected by his wife who of all,
esteemed him most for his many virtues.” |
Tombstone of
Cora Linda Lampkin Caldwell Mathis
Photo courtesy Judy Trahan |
>Cora
Linda Lampkin Caldwell Mathis
1846-1869
Wife of T. H. MATHIS (namesake of Mathis, Texas) Died October 11,
1869 Aged 22 years 9 months and 27 days
”We part to meet again.” |
Shortly
after her marriage, Cora died of typhoid fever.
The graves of John Choate and Crockett Choate sure caught my attention.
Researching those two made for some interesting reading. There is
so much history (and art) in old
Texas Cemeteries. I enjoy your [magazine].
Thank you for your response. - Judy Trahan |
Subject:
Rockport Cemetery
"I caution on prior correction about there being older interments
at this cemetery than listed on the Historical Marker. I notice one
of the noted deaths took place in San
Patricio County,
1 year prior to Rockport existing
in 1870, or thereabouts.
It would be my thought the 1869 death, caused burial somewhere in
San Patricio County
and the body later moved due to a land sale or a road being built
or whatever. I think several of the older headstones/remains were
just moved there due to family wishes and the burial of the Fulton
child, was likely the first. Land records may be available to establish
the exact date the cemetery was made available.
I realize the headstones appear to be evidence of the burial being
there first, but think about 1869, and moving a body by buckboard
over unpaved roads after the death. Probably the smell alone would
cause burial to be swift to a family cemetery on the back 40 acres.
Then removed to Rockport years later to be "with the family" in Rockport."
- Max Wier III, San Antonio,
TX
Descendant of Joseph F. Smith, a founder of Rockport,
and Mary Elizabeth Kennedy Sheldon, granddaughter of Joseph Smith
and wife of Ben Sheldon.
May 06, 2017 |
More
Rockport Cemetery Images:
|
Rockport Cemetery
Gate
Photo courtesy Ken
Rudine, 3-04 |
Rockport Cemetery
scene
Photo courtesy Ken
Rudine, 3-04 |
Bluebonnets in
the Rockport Cemetery
Photo courtesy Ken
Rudine, 3-04 |
Spring comes
to Rockport Cemetery
Photo courtesy Ken
Rudine, 3-04 |
Fulton family
obelisk
Photo courtesy Ken
Rudine, 3-04 |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
us. |
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