Gottfried Ehrhardt was born in Germany 20 March 1835, and died in Williamson County Texas 15 November 1913.  He married Helen Bustroe, who was born and died in Germany.

Gottfried made two trips to the United States.  The first one, Gottfried Ehrhardt, a widower,  departed from Bremen, Germany on the “Norderney”, and arrived in Galveston 8 November 1901; his son Karl was there to pick him up for his final destination of Round Rock Texas.  The ship’s manifest indicates that he could read and write, was a shoemaker, and that he was senile.

The second trip, he departed from Bremen, Germany on the S.S. Kolu on 8 October 1903, arrived in the port of Galveston 31 October 1903.  His son Carl was again their to pick him up.  The 1910 census indicated that he could speak English.

Known children:

i.  Karl EHRHARDT, born in Germany in 10 September 1862,  had arrived in the United States in 1880.  Karl married Friedericke Schniedewinde (1874-1948) and had also arrived in the United States in 1880.  Karl died in Williamson County Texas 10 February 1929.   Per his death certificate, his mother was Helen Bustroe, and he is buried in Pond Springs Cemetery; however he and Fredericke are buried in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Pflugerville Texas.   Per her death certificate, she was born in Latdorf Germany to August Schniedewinde and Johanna Webber.

ii.  Wilhelm EHRHARDT, born 8 July 1870, died 16 November 1955.  Per his death certificate, he never married, his mother was unknown, and his father was “Gustav” EHRHARDT.  Wilhelm is also buried in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Pflugerville Texas.

- Suzanne

What it doesn’t include are the approximately 100+ remaining unmarked graves.

This list is obviously subject to change as new discoveries are made.

- Suzanne

Pond Springs Cemetery – List of Names 2012c

Historical Marker with Plastic Container at Its Base

At the base of the Pond Springs Historical Marker is a clear plastic holder. In this container will be placed information for joining the cemetery association and in the near future an informational ‘Walking Tour” with a map giving a partial history of some of the more notable residents of the cemetery.

Pile of Rocks in the Corner of the Picture Around the Pecan Tree Showing the Exact Location of the Broken Cross.

Pecan Tree with Pile of Rocks

The Broken Cross

In the early Spring of 2010 while removing rocks from around the base of the large Pecan Tree near the Jesse and Lucy Garcia graves a broken homemade cross was found. The rocks were being removed from around the base of the tree to keep the tree from being over taxed by the excess heat produced by the coming summer sun. The stack of rocks was up to 2.5 feet all the way around the tree. I was taking these rocks to a central location to begin building the Memorial Wall to honor the lost and forgotten graves. Once I had removed the rocks on the surface I began to use a hoe to loosen the rocks that had sunk into the ground. On my final search for rock around the tree I felt a scrape with the hoe on what I thought was a large flat rock about 2 inches underground. I was going to leave the rock where it was but the hoe caught the corner of the rock and pulled it as I lifted the hoe up. To my surprise the rock flipped up exposing a sculptured stone. I knelt down and picked up the stone up out of the briers and found myself holding a broken cross. The cross was taken home that night and carefully washed. It had the number “18″ or what might be” 78″ and the letters “DE” scratched into it. Upon closer examination with a strong light and a magnifying glass one could see some etching or engraving in the stone. The letters looked like they may be “K _ _ A N _ A and a period. Since we could not match the cross to any names on our burial list at the time I decided that the identification of the stone would never truly be known. Now 2 years later and many man hours of research on the cemetery have been completed I decided to look at the cross again with fresh eyes and much more knowledge than before. Upon my new examination I decided the “18″ and “DE” were just that but the other letters were “H HA _ A N _ A with a period. I believe that whoever wrote the inscription may have made a mistake and started over to fix a mistake or error. There are other markings but they are still not clear. I believe etching or engraving was tried many times causing the unclear printing of many images. At one time I thought I saw downward writing of “December”, “8″, and a random “S”. With these new insights into the letters plus the scratched in “18″ and “DE” I believe this cross belongs to Hanna “Annie” Stewart who was born April 21, 1840 and died December 14, 1932.

John RIFFE married Permelia MAXWELL in Burnet County Texas in 1855.  Known children of John and Permeila (MAXWELL) RIFFE:

i.  Elizabeth RIFFE, born  likely in Burnet County Texas ca. 1857, married George RINGSTAFF.  Elizabeth died in 1883.

ii.  James Christopher “Jim” RIFFE, born in Burnet County Texas 4 October 1858, died 9 February 1934 in Bishop, Nueces County Texas.  James married Naomi CHAMPION, niece of Calvin CHAMPION who is buried in Pond Springs Cemetery, and they had the following known children:

a .  Caroline Permelia RIFFE, born likely in Williamson County Texas 3 March 1878.  She married Eli STEWART, son of Jasper and Annie (BUTTERY) STEWART.  Caroline died 28 March 1962.  Both Eli and Caroline are buried in Cedar Park Cemetery.  Eli’s parents are buried in Pond Springs Cemetery.

b.  John Benjamin RIFFE, born likely in Williamson County Texas 19 December 1879, died 25 December 1970.

c.  Tecumseh RIFFE, born in Texas 21 Jul 1882, died 19 Feb 1959 in Travis County Texas.

d.  Lula Margaret RIFFE, born February 1885 in Texas.

e.  James Christopher “Jim” RIFFE, Jr., born in Texas 5 May 1887 , died 26 March 1945 in Bishop, Nueces County Texas.

f.  Julia May RIFFE, born in Williamson County Texas 10 Oct 1889, died 7 Apr 1979 in Georgetown, Williamson County Texas.  Julia married John Leonard CHAPMAN.  Their daughter Edna Lou CHAPMAN, is buried in Pond Springs Cemetery.

g.  Fannie Ina RIFFE, born in Williamson County Texas 16 Feb 1892, died 19 Jan 1967 Corpus Christi, Nueces County Texas.

h.  Mabel Blanche RIFFE, born 25 Feb 1894 in Williamson County Texas, died 12 November 1974 in Taft, San Patricio County Texas.

i.  Jessie RIFFE, born in Williamson County Texas December 1896.  No further info.

j.  Lewis Harvey RIFFE, born in Texas 21 March 1898, died 28 September 1956 in Kingsville, Kleberg County Texas.

k.  William Claude RIFFE , born in Texas 6 January 1902, died in Nueces County Texas 1 December 1959.

l.  Ted A. RIFFE, born in Texas 8 December 1904, died in Kleberg County Texas 6 January 1964 .

iii.  Missouri RIFFE, born in Texas ca. 1861.

iv.  Nancy Margaret RIFFE, born in Texas 18 September 1865, died in Hays County, Dripping Springs Texas 19 December 1955.  Nancy married Sanford Idelia “Dee” CRUMLEY, born 21 September 1856, died 17 May 1928.  Both Nancy and Sanford are buried in Fitzhugh Cemetery, Dripping Springs.  Known children:

a.  Marietta V. CRUMLEY, born in Texas 11 April 1883, died in Williamson County Texas 14 April 1884.  Marietta is buried in Pond Springs Cemetery next to her grandfather John Riffe.

b.  Audrey C. CRUMLEY (male), born in Texas 1885, died in Texas 1957.  Buried Bagdad Cemetery, Williamson County Texas.

c.  Beulah Thomas CRUMLEY, born in Texas 18 March 1892, died 11 August 1989.  Married Charles HAYDON.  Both are buried Phillips Cemetery, Dripping Springs Texas.

d.  Sisero CRUMLEY, born in Texas 15 July 1899, died 7 June 1932.  buried in Fitzhugh Cemetery, Dripping Springs.

The Riffe family made a major contribution to the Pond Springs community before they moved on.  If you have any further information, please contact this blog.

- Suzanne

Here’s an excerpt:

A New York City subway train holds 1,200 people. This blog was viewed about 5,700 times in 2011. If it were a NYC subway train, it would take about 5 trips to carry that many people.

Here’s to the Names with no Stones:

A.  These are from the 1964 transcription, stones now missing:

1.  CHAPMAN, Edna Lou.  Per her death certificate, she was born to JL and Julia May (RIFFE) CHAPMAN in Williamson County Texas on 17 November 1915, and died in Williamson County Texas on 22 August 1921.  JL CHAPMAN informant.  Since descendants placed a stone to her memory in 2011, in future blog entries Edna will no longer be on the “Names with no Stones” list.

2.  DAVIS, Ethel.  Per her death certificate, Ethel was born in Cedar Park Texas to William Norris and Ruth (JACKSON) DAVIS on 29 December 1921.  She died the same day and was buried in “Cedar Park”  Her doctor, GW STEVENS was the informant.  Please review my “Davis Girls” post; I do not feel that the information on her death certificate is accurate.

3.  ELLER, Andy (ca. 1900-1910/1920).  I have located a WWI Registration Card for an Andy ELLER.  He was born 31 July 1900, and at the time he lived in Milam County Texas.  His nearest relative was JT ELLER (“Our” Andy’s father was James T. ELLER).   I believe this to be “our” Andy.  No known death certificate exists in Texas.  Could Andy have possibly died elsewhere, in WWI?  No record found.  Andy was supposedly “buried East of Robert Eller”  [Grave MIGHT have been located/Stm]

4.  ENNIS, James Madison (1848-1908); in Walden.  No death certificate found in Texas.

5.  RUTLEDGE, _____.  I believe this to be Baby Girl Rutledge (1898-1898).  I believe that, since the grave is described as being next to Effie, this baby is Effie’s sister.  Indeed, the 1900 Liberty County Texas census, Addie is the mother of one child, zero living.

6.  RUTLEDGE, Effie.  She was the daughter of Manie Eugene and Addie Lavena (GLENN) RUTLEDGE.  Effie was born in 1900, likely in Liberty County Texas (her parents were in the 1900 Liberty County Texas census, taken on 4 July 1900.  As Effie is not listed, she must have been born after that date).  Effie died in 1906.  The peculiar thing is that there is a stone in the cemetery that says “1900 – Infants of Maney and Addie Glenn Rutledge”.  If Effie was also born to them in 1900, could she have been one of triplets?

7.  STEWART, Dink.  Per his death certificate A[rthur] D “Daink” was born in Cedar Park, Texas to Jasper and (unknown) STEWART on 24 April 1878.  He died in Leander, Texas 11 September 1955.  Albert STEWART informant.

B. In Pond Springs Cemetery Williamson County, Texas 1997 Inventory:  An Eagle Scout Project by Mark Ryan Hood, the Williamson County Genealogical Society submitted Section 4-A “Other Burial Markers that have Disappeared since 1964″ .  This section states that “Pond Springs Cemetery was copied in 1964 by the Charles A. Walker family of Austin.  Compiled by Jean Halden Walker and submitted in 1975 to the Williamson County Historical Commission”  It goes on to state that “A list of six people buried in Pond Spring (sic) Cemetery after 1964 and before 1975 was submitted by Mrs. J. A. Prewitt.  Four of them are included in Mark Hood’s 1997 inventory, but the following two are not.  Presumably, they have no markers”.  The following were buried 1964-1975:

8.  BLANCO, Doroteo (6 February 1895-23 December 1972; Death Certificate, obtained from Archives.com, states burial in Pond Springs Cemetery)

9.  ELLER, Pleasant (29 March 1883-3 May 1969; Death Certificate, obtained from Archives.com, states burial in Pond Springs Cemetery) [grave MIGHT have been located/Stm]

B.  These are from Footnote.com, Williamson County Texas Death certificates, 1903-1965.  The following were buried in Pond Springs per their death certificates, but they are not enumerated in any transcription that I know of (continuing number pattern):

10.  Lola ARRIDONDO (1905-8 October 1921), daughter of Demetrio and Nestoria ARRIDONDO.

11.  Baby Girl BIRD, daughter of Booker Melvin BIRD and Katie HAMILTON, born in Williamson County 16 September 1918, died in Williamson County 20 September 1918.  Booker Melvin BIRD was Effie May (BIRD) HUGGINS’ uncle.  This child would have been her cousin.

12.  EHRHARDT, Karl (10 September 1862-10 February 1929).  Son of Gottfried EHRHARDT and Helen Bustow.  Gottfried EHRHARDT is buried in Pond Springs.  IT APPEARS that his wife Helen, who predeceased her husband, is buried in Germany.  Karl’s wife, Friedericke (9 December 1874 – 28 January 1948), is buried in “Pflugerville Cemetery” per her death certificate (probably Cook-Walden Capital Parks Cemetery and Mausoleum, 14501 N. IH-35, Pflugerville Texas 78660).

13.  Alvin Thomas JACKSON, born to John Thomas and Norah (BOATRIGHT) JACKSON in Williamson County Texas on 24 May 1899, died in Williamson County Texas 2 November 1919.   Alvin would have been the grandson of Javan Willis and Mary Jane (SMITH) JACKSON, as John Thomas JACKSON was their son.  Alvin would have also been the grandson of John L. and Rebecca (COLE) BOATRIGHT, as Nora was their daughter.

14.  Daniel Adam NANCE, born in Texas (probably Denton County) 20 February 1858 to Wright and Catherine (DOTY) NANCE, died in Rutledge, Williamson County Texas 27 January 1925.  Married Martha Elizabeth MILLS in 1881, and had three sons:  Wright Caswell, Orville, and Ira L.  No further information.

15.  Francisco Aguero PADILLA, born in Mexico to Gabriel and Louisa Maria PADILLA on 2 April 1872, died in Leander, Williamson County Texas 18 July 1947.

16.  RAMOS, Elbira J. (12 April 1944-3 March 1946).  Daughter of Manuel and Louisa RAMOS.  Buried “Walden’s”

17.  Thomas SOLIZ, born to Thomas and Mary (ROBEO) SOLIZ in Bexar County Texas on 18 August 1916, died in Williamson County Texas 28 September 1920.

18.  STEWART, Beulah, born to Jim and Laura (WOODY) ELLER in Williamson County Texas on 22 August 1891, died in Williamson County Texas on 14 October 1918.  Beulah married Arthur A. “Dink” STEWART, and he is also buried in Pond Springs (stone also missing).

19.  Dwight Louis/Louie SWINDALL/SWINDELL, born in Williamson County Texas 5 March 1944, died in Williamson County Texas 6 March 1944.  Parents Elijah Armo and Josie Marie (GEORGE) SWINDALL.  Elijah SWINDALL was born 9 September 1914, and died in Harris County Texas 5 April 1991.  Dwight’s known siblings were John Wayne SWINDALL, Jodie Armo SWINDALL, Ronald George SWINDALL, and Joyce Lynn SWINDALL.  Josie Marie GEORGE was born to Lee Roy GEORGE and Alma Dean RICHARDS on 7 August 1915 (possibly in Gonzales Texas), and died 4 July 1991 in Austin, Travis County Texas.

20.  George A. WALKER, born in Virginia (censuses says North Carolina) 11 November 1841, died in Williamson County Texas 19 June 1922. George seems to have been a lodger with the WALDEN family for many years. Informant:  Lee Walden. It is unclear at this time if this man is a relative of the Walker Family that performed the 1964 transcription.

C.  These are from Footnote.com for Travis County Texas, 1903 – 1965. The following were buried in Pond Springs per their death certificates, but they are not enumerated in any transcription that I know of (continuing number pattern), I just completed 1920; am still in the process of searching page-by-page :

21.  HART, Mattie ca 1868 Gonzales, Texas – 23 December 1913.  Daughter of Silas HART and _____ BLASINGALE, widowed, buried “Walder”.  Mattie is our first known African American buried in Pond Springs.

22.  LENTZ, Cordelia “Cordie” 10 December 1883 – 18 March 1911.  Daughter of William and Lavina (HYLAND) CHAPMAN, buried “Rutledge”.    Since descendants placed a stone to her memory in 2011, in future blog entries Cordie will no longer be on the “Names with no Stones” list.

23.  LENTZ, Dorothy Ellen 19 Jan 1910 – 24 Nov 1910.  Daughter of William LENTZ and Cordelia (CHAPMAN) LENTZ, buried “Rutledge”.    Since descendants placed a stone to her memory in 2011, in future blog entries Dorothy will no longer be on the “Names with no Stones” list.

24.  WATTS, Valdie ca. 1913 – 16 September 1918.  Daughter of Tobe WATTS and Bessie WARD.  Bessie WARD was a daughter of Richard and Charlsie WARD.  The informant was her brother Willie Ward. In my opinion Valdie WATTS is undoubtedly buried in the WARD plot.

If you dispute or confirm what I have presented here, please contact this blog.  There are undoubtedly more to be uncovered.  These provide the greatest personal challenge.  As always, any help appreciated.  Somebody out there knows something !

- Suzanne

I have found death certificates on people that may or may not be buried in Pond Springs.  I feel in important to note; however in my desire to not mislead anyone with regards to those interred here, I have decided to remove these names from the “official” Pond Springs list.  Again, they might actually be in Pond Springs but I cannot say with certainty.  There is an equal chance that they are in Rhodes Cemetery nearby.
Buried “Jollyville” per death certificate:

i.  AGUERO, Marcela, born in Texas 16 January 1935 , died in Williamson County Texas 22 July1936.  Daughter of Cruz and Ines (FLORES) Aguero.  Informant Cruz Aguero of Cedar Park Texas.  Williamson County Texas Death Certificate 38631.

ii.  BOCANEGRA, Guadalupe, born in Texas 16 October 1935, died in Williamson County Texas 28 June 1936.  Daughter of Sabas and Refugia (MADRID) Bocanegra.  Informant Sabas Bocanegra of Cedar Park Texas.  Williamson County Texas Death Certificate 33811.  Sabas and Refugia both died in Garza County Texas, and are buried in Terrace Cemetery.

iii.  BOCANEGRA, Paul, born in “near Jollyville” Texas 19 July 1932, died in Travis County Texas 2 October 1933.  Son of Sam and Refugia M. Bocanegra.  Informant Sam Bocanegra of Jollyville Texas.  Travis County Texas Death Certificate 47990.

iv.  BREWER, Robert Edgar, born in Williamson County Texas 5 August 1890, died in Williamson County Texas 31 October 1955.  Informant Mrs. Rosie Brewer.  Williamson County Texas Death Certificate 58152.

v.  BROWN, Eva Jane, born in Jollyville, Williamson County  Texas 31 July 1926, died in Jollyville, Williamson County  Texas 1 August 1926.  Daughter of Robert Clarence BROWN  and Harriet Rebecca (JONES).  Williamson County Texas Death Certificate 30374.

vi.  CUNNINGHAM, Baby Girl, born and died 24 May 1919.  Daughter of TJ CUNNINGHAM and Eva (BROWN).  Informant MM THORPE of Round Rock Texas.  Williamson County Texas Death Certificate 18491.

vii.  PARKS, Robert.  Travis County Death Certificate 26439.  Died 2 May 1930.  Father  J. PARKS, mother Ellie MAXWELL.  CV SANDERS informant (Clarence Vinyard SANDERS, nephew).  New October 2011.

viii.  SANDERS, Charlie Clarence, born in Texas 9 March 1922, died Travis County Texas 19 August 1924, buried “Near Jollyville”.  Travis County Texas Death Certificate 28009.  Father R. E. SANDERS (first cousin of the above CV SANDERS), mother Laura A. CARTER.  Both R.E. and Laura SANDERS are buried in Rhodes Cemetery; this child is probably buried there as well, but I can’t find his grave.

ix.  THOMPSON, Baby Girl, born and died in Austin, 26 August 1928.  Travis County Death Certificate 37423.  Daughter of S. H. and Winnie/Minnie (MOORE).  NEW August 2011.

x.  THOMPSON, Baby Boy, born and died in Austin, 13 October 1929.  Travis County Death Certificate 51281.  Daughter of S. H. and Winnie/Minnie (MOORE).  NEW August 2011.

xi.  TORREY, T., born in Mexico ca. 1875, died in Austin, 20 February 1927.  Travis County Death Certificate 6978.  Married, son of James TORREY.  Informant Antonio Rodriguez.  Buried “near Jollyville”.

xii.  WALLACE, Auddie, born August 1930, died in Williamson County Texas 11 September 1931.  Son of _____ and Mable WALLACE.  Informant Cornelius A BAIRD of Weir, Williamson County Texas.  Williamson County Texas Death Certificate 45145.

- Suzanne

Per descendant Karen:

The bondsman at the wedding was named Edward STEWART. The Family can be found in the 1830 Rhea County Tennessee census.  In 1840, they were in Jackson County Alabama.

In 1838, “Labon” STEWART served as a Private in Capt. Moses Glasscock’s Company, Norwoods’ Battallion, Alabama Militia, Jackson County Alabama.  He applied for bounty land in Barry County, Missouri 7 July 1855 with W. L. H. Frazier, age 42 and A. J. Wells, age 37 signing the affidavit (BLWT #44337).  Laban STEWART enrolled 4 Jun 1838 for 3 months in Bellefonte, Alabama (mustered in 9 Jun 1838; mustered out 18 Jul 1838 in Landing, Alabama).

Laban STEWART is listed as an early settler in Capp’s Creek, Barry County, Missouri in 1888 Goodspeed.  Capp’s Creek Township.– First Settlers: James Stone, William Montgomery, Laban Stewart, Stephen Wallace, James White, Rev. M. Ervin, W.L.H. Frazier, John Goodnight and others. In that part of the county the prairie and valley lands are of good quality and very rich, productive, with that and other advantages, being near the railroad town, Pierce City, makes that part of the county a very desirable part of it…

Although the family cannot be found in the 1860 census, Laban STEWART is listed on the 1861 Tax List for Barry County, Missouri.  In 1870, the family was in Williamson County Texas.

“Labon” STEWART signed an application made in Williamson County, Texas, for service pension, War of 1812 for James Pugh. The application was dated August 1, 1879, and Labon’s age was listed at 78 years.  Suzanne’s notes:  James PUGH was an in-law of Laban’s.  James was born in 1795 in Charlottesville Virginia, and died 6 November 1882 in Williamson County Texas.  As Laban was born in Virginia, I wonder if he too were born in Charlottesville, and they were boyhood friends.  As I have only researched briefly, I admittedly don’t know where James Pugh is buried, but would not be surprised at all if he were buried in Pond Springs Cemetery.

Known children of Laban and Nancy (WELLS) STEWART:

i.  James Washington STEWART, born in Tennessee in 1825, died in Missouri in 1856.  Married Nancy Jackson PUGH in 1845.  Nancy married two more times after the death of James.  Known children of James and Nancy (PUGH) STEWART:

1  Mary Amanda STEWART, born in Missouri ca. 1847.

2  Andrew STEWART, born in Missouri ca. 1848.

3  Laura Louise STEWART, born in Missouri ca. March 1850.

4  Thomas James STEWART, born in Missouri ca. 1854.

+++

Obit

Waco Daily Times-Herald

13 June 1914

Nancy Garrison Pioneer resident is dead-

Mrs. Nancy Garrison for over 50 years a resident of Mclennan County died at 7:30 last night at the reisdence of her daughter, Mrs. L.L. Orelle, on the old Dallas road, four miles north of Waco. Mrs. Garrison would have passed her 84th birthday on 11 July. She is survived by eight children. Her daughter, Mrs. Orelle, with whom Mrs. Garrison lived, is the only child living in Mclennan county. Mrs. Garrison is survivrd by a number of grandchildren.

Mrs. Garrison was married three times. A daughter, Mrs. Annie Speegle, lives at Blue Rock, Texas. Two sons live in Washington State, Jim Garrison and Young Staton. Tom Stewart, another son, lives in Burnett County, Texas. Mrs. Lillie Smith a daughter, lives in South, Texas. Another son lives in Mexico.

The funeral will be held this afternoon at 4:30 from the residence of Mrs. Orelle. Burial will be at the Greenwood Cemetery.

+++

ii.  Mary Jane STEWART born in 1827 in Tennessee.  Married Martin Benson/Brown NELSON.

iii.  William Riley STEWART born in Tennessee in 1830, died in Port Hospital, Galveston Texas 1865. William and his brother Andrew both served in the 1st Regiment Texas Cavalry Company D.  William married Zebuline Harrison STARKEY.

William R. Stewart was in the first Texas Cavalry of the Union Army…Brief Timeline:
Company D contained many men from Travis County. The first Texas Regiment’s main objective was to capture Galveston, Texas. September 13, 1863 they left New Orleans for Galveston, Texas October 19, 1863 they fought the battle of Galveston Bay. They fought against General Tom Green and his Travis Rifles, a confederate unit of Travis County men. The First Texas Regiment lost. They returned to New Orleans. In New Orleans they sailed the steamer “George Peabody” to Texas.  November 8,1863 they arrived in Brownsville, Texas. They stayed in Brownsville until June 21, 1864. June 21, 1864 they took the steamer”Clinton” to New Orleans. November 21, 1864 they left for Baton Rouge LA. December 30, 1864 they took the steamer “Belvadeer” to New Orleans. A.J.Stewart died April 13,1865. On May 23, 1865 they were at Baton Rouge LA. They left there for Miss. They stayed in Natches Miss from May 27 to June 29, 1865. June 29, 1865 they began marching toward San Antonio Texas where they were to be discharged. July 1865 William R. Stewart died.

+++

Natchez, Miss
June 8,1865

Dear Wife,
I take this opportunity to try to get a few lines to you to let you know where I am and that I am yet living. Thought my life is no pleasure to me if it was not for the hope that I have of returning home it would be little worthwhile for me to try to live for when I look upon the pensive faces of the two pictures I have with it almost melts my heart with grief to think that cannot enjoy the presence of them for they are the ones that have their names engraved upon my heart- I think the time is close at hand when I can return home if it is the will of God to permit me to enjoy that happy hour. I have enjoyed good health ever since I left home thought I will have to tell you the sad news of the death of Brother Jack – he died April 13th 1865 at Baton Rouge LA. His sickness was the diarrhea and flux. I stood around his bed of affliction while he was sick- he left with good consolation his friends and relations. He told me while he was in his right mind to tell all his friends to meet him in heaven – he said he felt that his peace was made with God – and all was well. When he appeared to be laboring under great deal of pain and affliction he said who would think that death was a friend. I received a letter from Jasper day before yesterday. He was well. He was in Illinois. He said John Buttery and the old man was well- it is not necss for me to try to say or explain anything about the bounties that I have experienced for it has been great. I have not yet time to write all I would if I had more time for the man that I expect to send it by is going to start away in a few moments. Zebey I will say to you do the best you can and the children- kiss Mary Austin and Franklin for me and take the same for yourself. If it be the will of God to spare my life I will return home as soon as possible. This leaving me will I hope when it comes to hand it may find you enjoying good health. I will close it by subscribing my name your affectionate loving husband…till death W. R. Stewart
(continuing same letter) Could I this morning be honored with the presence of the loved ones I have so long been absent from the pleasure it would afford me would be inexpressible. I have been a soldier for nearly two years. I expect to be mustered out of the service. (6 unclear words) Give my respects to all inquiring friends and relatives that is interested in my welfare. W.R.S

+++

Known children of William Riley and Zebuline (STARKEY) STEWART:

1  Mary Austin STEWART, born ca. 1857 in Barry County Missouri.

2  William Franklin STEWART, born ca. 1861 in Austin, Travis County Texas, died 6 October 1947 in Wheaton, Barry County Missouri.

iv.  Pleasant L. STEWART, born in Tennessee 17 September 1832, died in Williamson County Texas on his 67th birthday.  Married Alice Agnes STARKEY (23 August 1834-19 November 1894).  Both are buried Pond Springs Cemetery.  Known children:

1  James M. STEWART, born in Missouri ca. 1856.

2  George W. STEWART, born in Missouri ca. 1858.

3  Bella STEWART, born in Texas ca. 1861.

4  Martha STEWART, born in Texas ca. 1866.

5  Nancy STEWART, born in Texas ca. 1868.

6  John STEWART, born in Texas ca. 1873.

7  William STEWART, born in Texas ca. 1876.

v.  Elizabeth Melissa STEWART, born 7 April 1835 in Tennessee, died 8 June 1926 French Camp California.  Married James Purvey/Percy PUGH, brother of the above Nancy Jackson PUGH.  Known children:

1  Malvina PUGH, born in Missouri ca. 1851.

2  Samuel O. PUGH, born in Missouri ca. 1852, died 1935.

3  Nancy Ann PUGH, born in Missouri ca. 1853.

4  James Edward PUGH, born in California ca. 1856.

5  Melinda G. PUGH, born in California ca. 1858.

6  Mary PUGH, born in California ca. 1860.

vi.  Andrew Jackson “Jack” STEWART, born 1838 Alabama, died 13 April 1865 Baton Rouge Louisiana.  He enlisted in Company D, 1st Regiment Texas Cavalry, with his brother William Riley Stewart.  The  unit was organized in New Orleans 6 November 1862.  Married Asenath M. FLANAGAN.  Asenath died 10 November 1862, possibly a few weeks after her husband left to join his unit, and is the first documented burial in Pond Springs Cemetery.  Known child:

1  Andrew STEWART, born in Texas November 1862.

vii.  Susan Catherine STEWART, born 25 December 1840 in Alabama, died 23 February 1932 in Williamson County Texas.   Married Green McCLURE in Barry County Missouri 11 February 1857.  Green and Susan McCLURE are buried in Pond Springs Cemetery.  Per descendant Karen:

“Green McClure enlisted July 8, 1862 in the Texas Confederate Army at Georgetown Texas, known as Camp McCullough.  He was in Company D, 30th Regiment of the Texas Calvary, (Armstrong Regiment).  He was discharged as a private at the end of the war.  The original McClure home was located just off current day highway 183 between Leander and Cedar Park, Texas.  The property is rectangular in shape. According to Susan Catherine’s Confederate States Army pension application (number 45063) filed 11 Dec 1928, she married Green McClure, the 11th day of February 1857 in Joplin, Missouri, was born 25 December 1840 in Alabama and resided in Williamson County for 67 years. Wednesday, February 24, 1932.”

“Obituary:  Mrs. S. C. McClure, resident of Cedar Park nearly all her life, succumbed at her home Tuesday at the age of 91. Funeral services were held at 3:P.M. Wednesday and interment was in Pond Springs Cemetery. Mrs. McClure is survived by three sons W. L. McClure of Ackerly, J. E. McClure of Santa Anna and R. B. McClure of Lodi, Cal. Survivors also include 27 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren and two great, great grand children.  She was buried on February 25, 1932 in Pond Springs Cemetery, Cedar Park, Williamson County, Texas.”

Known children of Green and Susan Catherine (STEWART) McCLURE:

1  Andrew Jackson McCLURE, born in Missouri 18 February 1859, died in San Antonio, Bexar County Texas 23 January 1931.  Per his death certificate, he was married to Emma; Gilbert Bailey Informant.  Andrew J. McCLURE is buried in San Jose Cemetery.  Per descendant Karen, Emma’s maiden name was GOWER.

2  William Lafayette McCLURE, born in Texas 19 June 1862, died in Lamesa, Dawson County Texas 7 February 1934.  Per descendant Karen, he married Julie Margaret BUTTERY (daughter of John and Mary Elizabeth (WELLS) BUTTERY)

3  John Edward McCLURE, born in Williamson County Texas 23 February 1866, died in Santa Anna, Coleman County Texas 18 March 1947 (death certificate).  Per descendant Karen, he first married Olivia JOHNSON; his second marriage was to Alice Ardelia INSALL.

4  Laura Jane McCLURE, born in Texas 12 February 1868, died 13 September 1892.  Laura is buried in Pond Springs Cemetery.  Married William T. CAMPBELL in Williamson County Texas 7 January 1886.  Per descendant Karen,

“She died of blood poisoning, caused by a bee stings during a swarm. Della Campbell Strickland related to her daughter, Fae, that her mother, Laura, was attacked by a swarm of bees, miscarried a child, and died. Della, then nearly five, recalled seeing bees in her mother’s hair as she lay dead.  William Campbell apparently felt the McClures could better raise the children than he could. The McClures, over the years, it is said, helped raise sixteen orphaned children of various relatives.  Nevada And Bessie McClure helped their mother raise the 2 Campbell children.  Nevada & Bessie were the last McClures to live on the farm. After his wife’s death William moved to Idaho and had a small store and pool hall.  He died in an auto accident in 1929.  Della Campbell related that all of his children were very attached to him, that he visited when he could, bringing gifts and tales of cave exploring.  After his death, the Campbell farm at Leander was left to all his children, as well as his assets in Idaho.”

5  Nancy Ellen McCLURE, born in Texas 8 November 1869, died 19 September 1880.  Ellen is not listed with the family in the 1880 Williamson County Texas census.  She is buried in Pond Springs Cemetery.  According to descendant Karen, she was blind from birth.

6  Nevada Ann McCLURE, born in Austin Texas 27 July 1871, died in Austin Texas 8 January 1958, and is buried in Capital Memorial Gardens, Austin.

7  Louisa McCLURE.  According to descendant Karen, Louisa was born 28 November 1872  She married Joel Crockett STANFORD in 1894.  Lousia died of “Milk Fever” 8 December 1903.

8  Richard Benton McCLURE.  According to descendant Karen, Richard was born 2 July 1874 in Cedar Park, William County Texas.  He married Jessie May WHITE 10 November 1909.  Richard died 17 November 1934 in San Joaquin, Sacramento County California.

9  Walter Green McCLURE, born in Texas 16 March 1876, died 2 August 1918.  Walter’s death certificate has not been found in Texas; he was in New Mexico in the 1910 census. “WG” is also buried in Pond Springs Cemetery.  Per descendant Karen, Walter died in a train accident in Texas.  Walter married Bertha LEWIS ca. 1903.

10  Bessie Ida McCLURE, born in Austin Texas 20 September 1878, she died in Cedar Park Texas 22 February 1958, and is buried in Capital Memorial Gardens, Austin.

viii.  Eliza Ann STEWART, born 1843/1845 in Missouri.

ix.  Jasper Newton STEWART, born 14 April 1843 in Missouri or Tennessee, died 21 April 1912 in Texas.  Jasper married Ann BUTTERY 18 March 1862 in Travis County Texas.  Ann’s parents were William and Ann BUTTERY, buried in Pond Springs Cemetery.  Ann was born in England 21 April 1840, and died 14 December 1932 in Texas.  Suzanne’s Notes:  It is interesting to note that a “Newton B. STEWART” with the exact same birth date as Jasper’s is listed in the records of Company B, 33rd Ohio Infantry Regiment.  But he died 1 January 1909 and is buried in Evans Cemetery, Butler County Pennsylvania.  I would really like to find a death certificate or Family Bible record on “our” Jasper Newton Stewart, just to satisfy my own curiosity that these men had the same birth date and almost the same name !   Known children:

1  Mary STEWART, born in Texas ca. 1864.

2  William Riley STEWART, born in Texas 22 March 1866, died in Fort Worth, Tarrant County Texas 22 June 1946.  Married Myrtle Maud BEARD.  William and Myrtle were both deaf and attended the Austin School for the Deaf.

3  Pleasant Newton “Ples” STEWART, born in Texas November 1867.  Married Fanny F. _____ ca 1890.  Pleasant and Fanny might have died by 1910, as their son Jasper was living with his Uncle Dink and Aunt Beulah in 1910.

4  Flora STEWART, born in Texas November 1869, died in Texas September 1875.  Likely buried in Pond Springs Cemetery.

5  Eli STEWART, born in Williamson County Texas 18 January 1874, died 15 August 1953 in Austin, Travis County Texas.  Married Caroline Permelia RIFFE, granddaughter of John RIFFE who is also buried in Pond Springs Cemetery.  Caroline was born to James and Naomi (CHAMPION) RIFFE 3 March 1878.  She died 28 March 1962.  Both Eli and Caroline are buried in Cedar Park Cemetery.

6  Euell/Ewell Dee STEWART, born in Texas1 January 1876, died at the age of 97 in Fort Worth, Tarrant County Texas 9 March 1973.  Married Hulda H. SCHMITT.  Hulda was born to in Texas to native Germans John and _____ (WEIDERHOLDT) SCHMITT on 23 October 1877.  She died in Fort Worth Texas 10 June 1957.  Both Euell and Hulda are buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Fort Worth Texas.

7  Arthur Dink STEWART, born in Cedar Park, Williamson County Texas 24 April 1879, died 11 September 1955 Williamson County Texas.  Married Beulah ELLER.  Dink and Beulah are buried in Pond Springs Cemetery in unmarked graves.

Many thanks to descendant Jean for her kind help with Jasper and his descendants.

x.  Nancy Irwin STEWART, born 12 December 1848 in Missouri, died 16 July 1944 in the Confederate Woman’s Home in Austin Texas.  Nancy married Jesse DOUGLAS ca. 1865.  Jesse was born in Tennessee ca 1825, and died in Erath County Texas in 1886 (buried Turnbow Cemetery).  Nancy DOUGLAS is buried next to her parents in Pond Springs Cemetery.

The Stewart family is part of the fabric of Pond Springs Cemetery.  The cemetery’s story seems to be their story.  I hope I have done them a bit of justice here.  There are more Stewarts in Pond Springs Cemetery than any other surname.  Fascinating family that seems to be related to so many other families buried here.  If you are a descendant, please contact this blog.

- Suzanne

Arthur Dink and Beulah (ELLER) STEWART with Jess. Photo retrieved from Ancestry.com

Jasper Newton and Annie (BUTTERY) STEWART and family. Baby "Ethal" was born ca. 1902; photo taken ca. 1905? Photo courtesy of descendant Jean.

Susan Catherine (STEWART) McCLURE, daughter of Laban STEWART. Photo from Ancestry.com

Elizabeth Matilda STEWART, daughter of Laban STEWART. Photo from Ancestry.com

L to R, Nancy STEWART, Laban STEWART, Nancy STEWART DOUGLAS

McClures in front, Stewarts in back, ca 2005 or 2006

L to R: Agness (STARKEY) STEWART, P L STEWART. To the left of Agnes (outside of the fence) is the grave of an Unknown. Undoubtedly a Stewart, it might be the grave of their son James M. Stewart (born ca 1856, died 1860-1870).

Confederate Woman's Home, Austin Texas, 1909

The next meeting will be held at Denny’s (183 and 620) on Sunday 8 January 2012, 2 pm.    See map below.  The “cemetery part” of the map wouldn’t fit, but if you click on the map, you should be able to move it around.

Y’all come !

- Suzanne