Funny thing, I don't usually get a chance to go south of Houston. Which is really odd since that is where the family ranch is located. My "I.don't.know.how.many.times.removed" cousin sold it about 10 years ago, so I guess the point is moot. Our family was one of the "pioneer 300" in Texas. This fact is a fairly big deal here in Texas. Witnessed by this cemetery marker.
Ah, who names their kid Zadock? It sounds like an alien from Hitchhiker"s Guide to the Galaxy. Old Zadock was one of the Pioneer 300. I bet he knew my great great.....grandfather. Knowing my family, Zadock and my great, great...grandfather had a feud going. Not a blood feud, probably just a "I'm never talking to you again" feud. If so, it would have been my great great's fault. That seems to me the way we roll.
I found the fact that he built a fortified home interesting. Probably a total necessity. Most homes in the West were fortified from the Indians but I don't think that was the case here. I'm pretty sure that he fortified his home against Santa Ana and his Mexican army. It seems that Tejasians (Texans) and the Mexicans were fighting almost from the beginning.
One of the first burial's in this cemetery was in 1828. Since, the family didn't even settle onto this land until 1828 it seems that poor Steve didn't last too long out in the west.
Good old Zadock hitched his wagon to, what seems to me, the idiot Nick Dawson and got himself killed. It was probably a poor choice to join a man that is reported to have said that he would shoot the first man who runs but what do I know. Maybe, that is the most effective way to motivate men to fight but it seems a little counter-intuitive to me. I mean, you're gonna get shot one way or another.
Of all things, Zadock isn't buried here. If I was the family I'd rather he was here with his family then buried in a vault with "the idiot". Then again Texans take this fight for independence VERY seriously. I probably should too since I came from that stock but, yeah, not so much. Maybe, after a few more years living here I'll become invested in the whole thing.
Anyway, the Wood's cemetery is very lovely and quiet. I sort of felt like I was pulling a B&E job since I had to jimmy the fence open and there wasn't another soul around.
Next up?
A whole Texas town for sale.
Love,
M
At one point any name in the bible was fair game to land on your kids. In this case Zadok crowned Soloman, nuff said. But he's particularly big in the KJV. Jimmy being a Scot and having a especially thin claim to the Edwards chair has Oxford tilt those areas of the translation. The earlier Tyndall is far more republican.
ReplyDeleteWhat is that font btw, on the notice. It's someplace between Ariel and TNR. And without getting pedantic 1820 is yeasteday. :-)
Thanks for the info about the name. I still kind of like my version better. :-) I have no idea what font they used on the sign. Your guess is as good as mine.
DeleteLove this post. History is so interesting and you make it very entertaining to boot!
ReplyDeleteIt is fun to wander and find those less seen things, historical and otherwise.
ReplyDeleteI've always been fascinated by cemeteries and historical markers and the like ... its so cool to imagine what used to be! Saying hi through the Wordless Weds ... yes, I'm a day late ... stop by if you have the time!
ReplyDeleteI was told just recently that cemetery art is a very hot topic. I've always been fascinated by it.
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