Goldthwaite Memorial Cemetery(Formerly known as I.O.O.F. or Odd Fellows
Who was the first person buried on this land that became Goldthwaite's town official Cemetery?
Roberts, Janes, Yarborough, Dozier,
or someone else?
| NAME | Death |
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| Algernon B. Dozier | July ?, 1886 |
| Emire? Inez Yarborough | August 21, 1886 |
| Mr. Jarrett Janes | Feb 27, 1888 |
| Houston Roberts | March 12, 1888
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First Goldthwaite Cemetery(Before Mills County was formed)This lost or destroyed cemetery was one of The first cemeteries in Goldthwaite
It was located on the Roach Fox property "backyard"
Next to 1607 block Old Priddy Road near rail road tracks, but since his death, the stones are no longer there- |
If you know of any other persons buried in this backyard cemetery, please contact me
Even though the stones are gone, they are still there and should be remembered. They were the pioneers of this county |
| Name | Death Date |
Charley Noles
He did not have a headstone | 1885 |
Even though there are graves on the land before Mr. Roberts was killed, he is considered the first person buried in the cemetery. According to the article titled, "The Goldthwaite Cemetery" in Flora Gatlin Bowles Book "A No Man's Land Becomes a County", Page 89 (Austin: Steck, 1958), The Goldthwaite cemetery location and purchase was finally made when Mr. James, a nephew of Houston Roberts, wanted to bury his uncle in the Goldthwaite Cemetery.
The land was purchased from a Mr. Hearne and they laid Mr. Roberts to rest as the first person to be buried there. Mr. Roberts was killed by the Mob on March 12, 1888 and buried on March 13th. (NOTE: A Louis Davenport was arrested March 18, 1888 for the Murder of Houston Roberts and a Tom Murphy was identified as being with Louis Davenport)
According to the story, Mr. Clements also assisted in burying Mr. Jarrett A. (sic) James Quote: "Two weeks after Mr. Clements assisted in burying Jarrett A. James.(should be spelled- Janes) Mr. Clements in observing the grave stone afterwards saw an error was made as to the date of his death, February 27, 1888, when it should of been March 27, 1888, two weeks after Mr. Roberts burial."
However the Headstone stands today and the obituary of Mrs. Janes has her husband preceding her in death on Feb 27, 1888 and may be an indication that the family believed that was the correct date.
While taking pictures of "Broken Headstone's" for another page, I came across this young girl, Daugther of C.C. and N.L. Yarborough, whose headstone even though broken in half, clearly shows an earlier death date than Mr. Houston Roberts and Mr. Jarrett Janes. Her death date is August 21, 1886 - Long before the cemetery was founded. Her birth date looks to be April 28, 1885
Also on this Broken Headstone page is a Link for
Algernon B. Dozier whose broken Headstone (photo 1 and photo 2) has his dates
August 30, 1885
Died on July ? 1886
which may be earlier than the person above
Click on any highlighted name to see photo of Headstone |
J.A. Janes
headstone has a Masonic Symbol and the dates-
October 29, 1829
- February 27, 1888.
There are two other headstones in this plot with one large Center Stone.
The Center or Plot stone "JANES"
M.E. Janes May 28, 1831- Sept 22, 1912
Mrs. Janes Obituary
Near bottom of page
Single Headstone reads Maggie Janes, Oct 28, 1863 - Sept 26, 1924.
Section 2, Block 3, Plot 33
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Houston Roberts
April 9, 1841
Mar 12, 1888
(note: deposition papers have death as March 12, 1888)
Mrs. SM Roberts
May 8, 1849
May 24, 1933
Lula Mae Murphy has "Mother"inscribed on headstone
1883 -1958
Those are the only three headstones in the plot.
Section Two, Block 3, Plot 14
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In the Mills County Memories, compiled and © by the Mills County Historical Commission 1994 is an article submitted by Mary Harris, titled, "Cornelius and Mary Benton Roberts, pages 390-393, Ms. Harris wrote that the death date for Houston Roberts was either March 12, or 21, 1888 and that his half brother, Isaac M. James arranged for his burial
She also states that Isaac M. James died 1891 was buried next to the graves of Houston Roberts and his wife Sallie Mae Roberts.
(NOTE: From Cemetery survey, Isaac James is buried close by in a plot, one up and one to the left of the Roberts graves,)
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Looking at the picture below, Isaac James headstone and below that a circle drawn around his headstone to show distance from the Roberts Plot- Isaac James is buried in Section 2, Block 3, Plot 9
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Section 2, Block 3, Plot 9
Not in order found
These persons are buried in the same plot with Isaac M. James.
First there is an index card indicating that W.E. James is buried in this plot but no marker was found. All the others have single stones and plot has one large center Plot stone for "Massey"
| J. D. Shannon
Headstone Photo
Son of Mrs. Jack Presley
November 23, 1920
April 28, 1984
CPL US Marine Corps WW II |
Homer A. Rowlett
March 17, 1903
December 30, 1996
"Daddy"
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Jess R. Massey
October 12, 1892
February 17, 1977
"Daddy" Obit - born in Callahan County and married to Zela Hollis Nov. 30, 1915 in Ridge TX |
Zela Hollis Massey
March 12, 1894
October 3, 1937
"Mom' Wife of Jess R, Massey |
? W.E. James
Listed on Cemetery index card as being buried in this plot.
Two wives of W.E. James are buried in Section 2, Block 3, Plot 28
Click here for
more Information about his wives
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Isaac M. James
1834-1891 (It is possible he was the first person to be buried in this plot as W.E. was still alive in 1895 and have no dates for Zela Hollis) |
Guy Calder
March 6, 1916
March 30, 1991
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Zela Hollis
No Dates or other markings |
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Thanks
Sharon
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