Latest update: Saturday, June 15, 2013
This is such an exciting time -- establishing the first Decoration Day for the EDGAR
Family Cemetery, resurrecting the cemetery from certain deterioration and extinction. We
thought a Journal of the activity that lead to the first Decoration Day might interest others,
also. Enjoy. Bob and his wife Jane made two multi-day trips to the EDGAR Family
Cemetery to manage a team of workers as they did the hard-clean of the cemetery.
In reverse chronology.
Select any photo for a photo slideshow.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
From: Bob Webb
To: Lynn Adams, Gonzales Inquirer
Subject: RE: Local News/History Article for Gonzales Inquirer (P.S.)
Hi Lynn,
No problem with the delay. Thanks for the response and for the interest in our project.
Yes, it’s definitely local news as well as local and state history.
Attached is an updated article which I have modified since the gathering at the cemetery
this past weekend. We had a great turnout. Most of the major brush and briars had
been cleared by a crew we had hired, prior to the family members’ arrival on Saturday.
But, much clean up was done on Saturday including a detailed survey of all the
gravestones with and without inscriptions.
We are tentatively planning another gathering at the cemetery in early October. It’s a
labor of love and will be an ongoing project, for sure.
The two photos are
Before: from outside the cemetery, looking northeast, toward the gate [Saturday, March
09 , 2013]
After: from inside the cemetery looking southwest, toward the gate [Monday, April 08,
2013]
Please let me know if you have any questions and/or if additional details are needed.
Kind regards,
Bob
Tuesday, April 09, 2013
We are home safely, as of last night. But, we are moving pretty slowly this morning,
mentally and physically. It was a great success, but exhausting.
There is so much to report, I really don’t know where to begin, or when to begin... As a
preview, we found so many stones marking graves but with no inscriptions that I now
believe there are probably as many or more of those as there are ones with inscriptions.
Remember the P.B. mystery that the Goebel team recorded “Footstone only?” Well, it’s
not a footstone. It is a headstone of a child’s grave, with an oval of stones around the
grave and with the stone into which P.B. was scratched at the head. It is beside 4 other
children’s graves marked with similar ovals of stones but with no inscriptions. ALL of that
was uncovered in the raking and earth-scratching process. Note that I didn’t say
digging. But, there will be “deeper scratching” in future visits, no doubt.
We also found similar graves which appear to have been children’s graves with no
inscriptions very near Martha Washington WOLLARD’s and Joshua N. EDGAR’s graves.
I believe those may have been some of Darden’s and Mary’s infant’s graves.
Here is a scanned copy of the article. I didn’t intend this to be so much about me. But,
the reporter (Sonny Long) kept sending me questions, and from that he wove the story
together as he wanted it to appear. It did get the website address included, and the gmail
address which was good.
Sunday, April 07, 2013
This is a photo [Photo] of Jerry Sparkman and me taken by Jane this morning in front of
Jerry's great grandmother's gravestone. It was the first time he had been to the cemetery
to see her grave, and his first time in Texas since 1967. He wasn't able to attend the
activities yesterday although not without trying. Much to come in this awesome weekend.
Which is still underway.
Here is the un-cropped original with our car and Joel's tractor showing in the background.
Friday, April 05, 2013
Article in Victoria Advocate - Man breathes new life into cemetery
Sunday, March 24, 2013
This Morning 8:15 a.m. Headed South from Yoakum, about to turn right (west) toward
the area of JSE's first class headright land grant and the old EDGAR family cemetery.
Bluebonnets under the sign. Great day in DeWitt County, TX! [Photo]
Good thing you set up a mystery page. As we clear and rake, we are finding numerous
fieldstones, most with head and corresponding foot locations. We will have a fun
challenge to speculate on identities, surely to include all of Darden's and Mary's babies
(the ones who didn't die in Frio county and were buried there). Bob
As luck would have it, the area around the mysterious stone is the last to be cleared, and
not yet. We are shocked at the number of obvious grave markers that have no surviving
inscription, thus were not even mentioned in the Goebel survey. When we are done, the
cemetery will be the cleanest it has been in at least 75 years, I suspect. Hopefully, we
can help keep it this way. Bob
New View: From west fence, looking northeast. [Photo]
EDGAR
MJBE - Broken gravestone [Photo]
Morning Sun - Whilst the dew was still on the roses. [Photo, 19. Tabitha Jane BROWN
EDGAR]
MCMEEN & SPARKMAN
From left DNM, JCMM, MHMS, Baby. Headstones in rear, facing forward (east). Foot
stones facing west. [Photo]
MHMS and parents [Photo]
MHMS and Baby [Photo]
MHMS and Baby (Close up) [Photo]
It was still alive on this photo, but not for long. This was not a catch and release situation.
Crew leader Gallacious Garcia holding young snake he caught; Joel Jackson looking on.
Joel has been here working all day, and his wife, Susan, just arrived. She is very nice and
is very interested in the cemetery. [2 Photos]
Joel, His Truck and His Chainsaw [Photo]
End of Work Day - Jane, Joel and Andy [Photo}
Saturday, March 23, 2013
We just arrived. Look what greeted us near the gate to the cemetery! [Field of
Bluebonnets Photo] We also drove by a mama cow with a newborn girl calf with part of
her umbilical cord still hanging down, standing unsteadily. Both watched us but didn't run
away as we drove by slowly.
Afternoon sun at back, looking northeast with Bluebonnets in foreground and cemetery
up hill in distance. Much progress made today fine tuning around gate (SW corner) and
around EDGAR area (SE corner). Measurements tomorrow. I did find George Bell's
gravestone in a thicket. It will be cleared and photographed tomorrow. Had fun and
delicious lunch at H&H Cafe in Yoakum and worked out details with them for the
luncheon gathering on the 6th. They were named one of the best small town cafes in
Texas. Very small townish and Texan, and great southern food, and very friendly.
Saturday, March 23, 2013
From: Bob Webb
To: DG
Subject: Second pre-DD Trip Update
All is well in DeWitt county after a good night's sleep in a garage apartment
(experimenting with a new find; AOK, so far) in Yoakum. It is cool and cloudy here, but
with lots of birds singing. Joel has given us permission to work at the cemetery today.
The crew will be there, and we will also be there, tomorrow. Some more measurements
and tending around JE's and SW's graves today. Simulation transition from work session
to H&H for lunch today. Onward, the cows! Bob
Sunday, March 17, 2013
From: Bob Webb
To: Joel Jackson
Subject: Re: Cemetery Update
Joel,
The second check we sent to Garcia’s Lawn and Tree Service was cashed and cleared
our bank on 03/14/13. Jane talked with him before we sent the replacement for the one
that was not done correctly, and she apologized to him.
We would like to come back down there either during (or right after) their completion of
the work. Hopefully, that can be no later than the weekend of 03/29, a week before the
big event. Have you heard from him yet about his coming back out to finish? We also
thought about sending you the last check made out to his company, and you could give it
to him on completion. Or, we can if we’re there.
Attached are the latest drafts of a proposed news release and a tentative agenda. Do
you have any questions or suggestions or concerns about any of that?
Also, we are thinking that we will provide a shuttle to and from the cemetery to lessen the
traffic through your fields and to help those who may be less able to drive back there.
Maybe we could have the parking in the field just inside your gate, or maybe along
Concrete-Edgar Road. What are your thoughts about that?
Another issue has occurred to me in thinking about the EFCA. That is, maybe we could
help insulate you from requests to visit the cemetery. Any inquiries that get made to you
directly about the cemetery and visitations could be directed to us and we could interact
with interested relatives of anyone buried there and “persuade” them to attend one of the
group visitations to be scheduled once or twice a year. Occasionally, there might be a
special case request for a visit. In any of those cases (group visits or special situations
for individual visits), we would always clear that with you first. And, we would always be
very specific that there is to be no attempt to visit the cemetery without first getting your
permission (through the EFCA, if that is OK with you).
We are really excited about getting that cemetery totally cleared, cleaned and secured
and kept that way. Needless to say, it has so much ancestral and historical importance,
it’s certainly worth the expense and effort. But, we are also determined that this initiative
(before, during, or ongoing) does not wind up being an imposition or burden for you as
the landowner (and one of the direct descendants).
We have tentatively chosen H&H café in Yoakum as the place for the luncheon and
organizational meeting. Do you have any other suggestions of places we might consider,
either in Yoakum or Cuero? We found out when we were there that the Longhorn Café
in Cuero is not open on Saturdays.
All the best,
Bob
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
On Mar 12, 2013, at 3:10 PM, Bob Webb wrote: Mysterious Footstone
DG,
The attached photo was taken with my iPhone in backwards mode (i.e. photographing
toward me rather than away from me). The dark area in the photo is part of one of my
brush-clearing-pants legs.
I could not get to the front of this, at least not yet. I saw it as I was raking at the edge of a
thick thicket of briars. I chalked it from behind by reaching into the briars; then, I took a
reverse photo of it.
Who could this be? I think we only have two surnames identified so far beginning with P,
right? Pincham and Powers.
Another Pincham child, maybe?
Sunday, March 10, 2013
From: Bob Webb
Sent: Sunday, March 10, 2013 6:39 PM
To: Sharon Duke
Subject: Re: DUKE Inquiry
Hi Sharon,
I saw Felix’s and Anna’s shared gravestone today, through the thicket and briars, but I
couldn’t get to it to photograph it. I will get a good photograph when we are there for
Decoration Day on Apr 6th. It’s a large, shared gravestone inside a low iron fence
surrounding their graves.
Here’s a link to a website we are building with information about the EDGAR Family
Cemetery. http://parkerhannah.com/EdgarFamilyCemetery/Welcome.html
You and/or any other DUKE descendant you may know are certainly welcome to join us
on Sat. Apr 6th at the cemetery. We’re hoping to have at least one relative of each
person who was buried in that cemetery attend. I was already communicating with
relatives of everyone except for Felix and Anna, and now I have made contact with you!
I am descended from the Edgars.
Kind regards,
Bob
Sunday, March 10, 2013, Cemetery Visit for Pre DDay Cleaning
From: Bob Webb
It was very cloudy yesterday and rained last night. But, it is sunny now. We are headed
back out there now. You can Selah's footstone in this photo.
Saturday, March 09, 2013, Cemetery Visit for Pre DDay Cleaning
From: Bob Webb
Big delay yesterday, but main event about to start. We are at the cemetery. Crew has not
arrived yet. It's cloudy, breezy and about 65 degrees. Perfect day for jungle clearing!
On Mar 9, 2013, at 6:47 PM, Bob Webb wrote:
Exhausting day... It was a bigger and rougher job than I had expected. But, good
progress was made. Details and photos to come.
Friday, March 08, 2013, Cemetery Visit for Pre DDay Cleaning
From: Bob Webb
Attached is first "before" photo. Mahler graves are just past the cactus. John's is
on the right; Mina's behind his from this angle. Yes, we are wearing boots!
Another View Photo
Parked on the "Path" Photo
Great Cedar Tree to Save Photo
Add Cactus to Cemetery Swallowers Photo
In it are Joyce MANNING and our BROWN cousin, Bob MANNING. Joyce was
signing my copy of Yoakum Community The First Hundred Years 1887-1987 published
by the Yoakum Sesquicentennial/Centennial Book Committee which Joyce chaired.
Thursday, March 07, 2013
From: Bob Webb
We have arrived safely in Victoria. We stopped in Cuero to look for some Nellie
Murphree records in the DeWitt County Museum and "sat in" on the monthly board
meeting.
We are having lunch in Yoakum tomorrow with Joyce and Bob Manning. You may
remember she is a major researcher in DeWitt and surrounding counties. And, through
my happening to meet her in the Yoakum library about six years ago, we discovered one
of the lines she has been researching is BROWN because Bob is a descendant. He and
I (and he and you) share MRCAs James BROWN and MILLY MAYES/MAYS.
Then, we have an appointment to visit at his home in Victoria, 82-year-old Dr. Robert W.
Shook, noted historian in Victoria and DeWitt counties and editor of Nellie Murphree's
book.
Tonight, we will scout out a possible restaurant (probably Olive Garden) for the group
feast on the 5th and/or 6th of April.
Saturday will be spent in measuring, recording data including accurate GPS coordinates,
and overseeing the major (and careful) fence row and criss-cross clearing of the old
EDGAR Family Cemetery. Saturday night will probably be an exhaustion collapse. Or,
maybe we'll take Joel and his wife out to dinner if they are available and interested.
Tomorrow on the way to Yoakum we are going to try to find the Evergreen cemetery and
photograph it and get coordinates.
The drive down here was very smooth and relaxing with a smooth departure (except we
forgot our pillows which we like to bring with us when we are driving); too many tools and
instruments and too much excitement, I suppose. The Fairfield is OK, and Jane as a
frequent Marriott guest gets us special service.
More to come.
BB
P.S. I sent Gloria Mayfield a message before we left asking about that Edgar cemetery
she referenced in Sabine county. Hopefully, she will have responded by the time we get
home.
March 7, 2013
From: Bob Webb
To: Joel Jackson
Subject: Re: Book It
Joel,
No problem. Yes, we will be there. But, I don't think I have ever gone to the cemetery
from that direction. The first time you took me, we went around and in the back way,
past Doris Kubecka's house.
We will plan to be there at 8:30. What do you suggest as to how we find our way?
Should we go in the back way (which I know), or try to find our way the front way?
If we came up there tomorrow evening (or this evening), would you be available to show
me the way? Or, we could come very early Sat before you go to work. Maybe that
would be more convenient. Whatever will work better for you is fine.
Thanks.
Bob
Monday, March 04, 2013
From: Bob Webb
To: Carol Ogle
Subject: RE: Cemetery Reflections
Carol Jeanette,
Thanks for the additional details. Jane and I are going down there this coming weekend
for some advance scouting and maybe some advance brush clearing. I’ll be sending out
updates after we get back which will be Sun night or Mon.
None of the hotel prices down there are very good; the shale oil activity in the area has
“pumped up” prices, unfortunately. Doyce and Tinker and her sisters are staying at the
Best Western. Jane and I are staying at the Fairfield Inn, nearby.
What are you hearing from Mary Pat? I think she’s still in Australia, right?
Bob
Monday, March 04, 2013
From: Bob Webb
To: Joel Jackson
Subject: Some Thoughts about Brush Clearing Crew
Joel,
Before Mark left for vacation, he suggested a crew of 2. I’ve been thinking more about
that, and I just briefed my wife on your call and my latest thoughts.
How does this sound to you:
· Schedule the work for Friday, Mar 8th if that’s OK with them (and with you). The
weather report is currently good for that day.
· Schedule a crew of two to probably work 8 hours (not including lunch break,
however long that is). They would bring their own tools and would work safely.
· Special care and attention would be paid to not damaging any of the grave markers
with extra special care where we tell them we suspect there were graves but without
markers currently showing. An example of that is in the corner (southeast?) of the
enclosure where James EDGAR’s and Selah EDGAR’s gravestones are. We believe
there was a fieldstone marker (first burial in the cemetery in Oct 1863) next to theirs.
That fieldstone was partially buried last time we were there. It may be totally buried by
now.
· First clear the fence row with a path (6-8 feet wide) cleared around the interior
perimeter of the fence. Good clearing and weed removal along the fence row itself.
Writing that brings back memories of when I was a boy growing up on a farm in southern
Mississippi and clearing fence rows.
· Then, clear a horizontal path through the middle of the cemetery (about 10-12 feet
wide).
· Then, clear a vertical path through the middle of the cemetery (about 10-12 feet
wide).
· If the crew is working hard and we are happy with their work, we might ask for more
(longer day Fri and/or return Sat or Sun). Or, if we feel the crew isn’t working hard and
making good progress, we might dismiss them in less than 8 hours.
· Depending on how far they get in the 8 hours, it may be the remainder could be
done by the group of volunteers coming on Apr 6th. And, Jane and I would go back
there Sat and/or Sun, with your permission, to do some “fine pruning.”
What are your thoughts about this approach?
I like the fact that they will do this on an hourly basis. And, while I think the rate may be
high as compared with what their average hourly payroll costs are, you and I both know
there are other costs involved assuming they will provide their own tools, transportation,
etc. But, I’m a little concerned going into this with the expectations that it’s a commitment
for 8-10 hours x four people x $32.50/hour which would be $1,040-$1,300 if I’ve
calculated correctly.
One reason I wanted to talk with Jane (my wife) is that we are going to front the cost of
this with Mark and Karan already agreeing to “chip in,” later and hopefully with whatever
group we get organized agreeing to chip in some more so we wind up paying a good
share but not all.
Your offer to pile and burn the accumulated brush is gracious, and very much
appreciated. That will save some money in the debris removal, no doubt. If the crew can
work on Friday but that’s not convenient for you, maybe you wouldn’t need to be there
all day Friday depending on your availability. We can probably oversee the crew,
assuming you’re right and that who is sent in this crew is bilingual.
Anyhow, these are just some thoughts subject to your consideration and approval.
Thanks.
Bob
Saturday, March 02, 2013
Hi Jeanne,
I need some publicity advice (newspapers and whatever else). We are going to have a
"Decoration Day," at the old Edgar Family Cemetery near the Edgar community on Sat,
04/06. It's a really old cemetery on private property (Joel Wayne Jackson's ranch). This
will be the first Decoration Day there in a long time, maybe ever.
To what newspapers do you think I should submit this article? And, are there any other
ways you think we should try to "get the word out?" Part of the article will be some history
my ancestors, the James Edgar family who established that old family cemetery near
their homestead. It was called the "Edgar Yard," in some old family Bible records.
James Edgar and his wife, Selah Witherington and several of their children (and
spouses) and grandchildren relocated from Maury County, TN in late 1853 and settled on
1,476 acres of land in DeWitt County, Texas. It had been granted their son, Joseph
Smith Edgar (1818-1837) for his presence in Texas prior to its Declaration of
Independence. JSE was also granted land for his service in the Texas Army (in general)
and more for being a veteran of the Battle of San Jacinto. The community of Edgar,
Texas was named for them.
Below are the surnames of people either buried in that cemetery or closely related to the
ones buried in that cemetery.
Thanks!
Bob
P.S. I know that similar Decoration Days are traditional at several cemeteries in that
area, especially Hebron Church Cemetery and County Line Cemetery near where you
live. Do you know of any Decoration Days that are especially active in DeWitt or Lavaca
County. I'm just curious. We are hoping this can become an annual event, with an
Edgar Family Cemetery Association formed at this first one.
Decoration Day (from the Encyclopedia of Alabama):
http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/face/Article.jsp?id=h-2316
Decoration Day (from Digital Heritage):
http://digitalheritage.org/2010/08/decoration-day/