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PARTAIN
FAMILY
CEMETERY
Near Blessing, Texas
Caretaker
Hawley Cemetery Association |
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Fenced in late 2008
April 9, 2020
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This cemetery is located on private property near Hawley
Cemetery
in the Blessing area and has been adopted by the Hawley Cemetery
Association. The cemetery is about 30' X 60' with small trees growing in it.
Tombstone
and family information was provided by Lester Wallace and appeared in
the Matagorda County Genealogical Society publication, Oak Leaves, May
1994.
DIRECTIONS
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The Partain Family Cemetery is located on property once owned by John C.
Partain and his wife, Nancy Smalley Partain. The cemetery was
established with the burial of their son, John R. Partain, (1833 - Oct.
24, 1857).. He was followed by Nancy Margaret Partain (Feb. 13, 1860 - May
22, 1863), daughter of Robert A. and Jenett Partain; Jenett Partain
(Jun. 12, 1882 - Jun. 21, 1882), daughter of Robert A. and Jenett
Partain; Nancy Smalley Partain (Mar. 18, 1803 - Aug. 12, 1888), wife of
John C. Partain; Jenett Parham O’Neal Partain (Mar. 25, 1843 - Apr. 28,
1889); and Robert Abner Partain (Aug. 1, 1836 - 22 Feb. 1897), son of
John C. and Nancy Smalley Partain. There were no more burials until the cremains of Hartsell Harvey Gray, Jr. (Aug. 2, 1928 - May 12, 2008),
great-grandson of Robert Abner Partain were buried there. It is
believed that Albert (1832-1857), son of John C. and Mary Smalley
Partain, is also buried in the cemetery in an unmarked grave. Family
tradition indicates that John C., who died in August, 1837, is buried
under an oak tree somewhere on the same property, but not necessarily
inside the boundaries of the current cemetery. Supposedly, a slash was
carved into the tree to serve as a temporary marker. The cemetery is not
large enough for additional burials unless they are cremains.
John C. Partain moved to
Texas from Tennessee. His wife, Nancy Smalley Partain, was born in Kentucky. Her
family moved to Texas about 1825. John and Nancy were residents of the
Republic of Texas and were married c1830. Their first home was a log cabin
on the east side of Tres Palacios Creek. John later received a land
grant in 1832 on the Tres Palacios and the cemetery is located on that
property. In 1836, John drove his cattle to a supposedly safe place from
Indians and Mexican soldiers and joined the Texas army. He escorted
families, including his own, to New Orleans during the Run Away Scrape.
According to tradition, he was with Sam Houston in the Battle of San
Jacinto. He returned home to find his stock was stolen or scattered. He
went to New Orleans for his family and found that his daughter, Eliza,
had died there and his son, Robert Abner Partain had been born in a
covered wagon. After John’s death in 1837, Nancy managed the ranch until
her sons were old enough to help her. The Robert A. Partain family were
members of the Tres Palacios Baptist Church and Robert was the last
pastor for that church. He was the first pastor of the First Baptist
Church of Bay City. It is said he preached wearing his pistols. He served in Co. D Yager’s 3rd Battalion, Texas
Cavalry during the War Between the States. Robert Abner Partain married Jenett
Parham O'Neal on December 4, 1857. After Jenett's death in 1889, Robert
married Ella Burns. Their son, Abner Burns Partain, died from disease in
France in WWI.
Sources:
Keeling, Hugh D. Nancy Smalley Partain, Historic Matagorda County,
Volume II, pages 81-82, Bay City: Matagorda County Historical
Commission, 1986.
Lester & Lynn Wallace
Deed Records, Office of the Matagorda County Clerk, Matagorda County
Courthouse, Bay City.
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| NAME |
BIRTH |
DEATH |
INSCRIPTION |
VET |
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Nancy Smalley Partain
w/o John C. Partain |
18 Mar 1803 |
12 Aug 1888 |
Pvt, Co D
Yager's, 3rd Battalion Texas Cavalry |
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John Partain
h/o Louisa Smith Partain
s/o John C. & Nancy Smalley Partain |
1833 |
24 Oct 1857 |
Born Tres Palacios,
Tex
1833
At Rest
Footstone with initials J. P. (John Partain) |
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Robert Abner Partain
(h./o Jenett Parham O'Neal Partain
s/o John C. and Nancy Smalley Partain |
01 Aug 1836 |
22 Feb 1897 |
Mother We'll Meet Again
Footstone with initials N. S. P. (Nancy Smalley Partain) |
CSA |
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Jenett Parham Partain
w/o Robert Abner Partain |
25 Mar 1843 |
28 Apr 1889 |
She was the sunshine of our home |
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Nancy Margaret Partain
d/o Robert Abner & Jenett Parham Partain |
13 Feb 1860 |
22 May 1863 |
Another little angel before the heavenly throne |
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Jennett Partain
d/o Robert Abner & Jenett Parham Partain |
Jun 1882 |
21 Jun 1882 |
Aged 9 Days, In heaven |
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Hartsell Harvey Gray, Jr.
s/o Mazie
Jeannette Partain Gray & Hartsell Harvey Gray, Sr.
Mazie was the
daughter of Charlie Partain and the granddaughter of Robert Abner &
Jenett Parham Partain. |
02 Aug 1928 |
12 May 2008 |
Son of
Mazie Partain Gray |
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1. Footstone for
John Partain
2. John Partain
3. Robert A. Partain
4. Top portion of stone
for Nancy S., Jenett, Nancy M. & Jennett Partain
5. Base of stone #4
6. Footstone for Nancy Smalley Partain
7. Hartsell Harvey
Gray, Jr. (not located on map)
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Nancy Smalley Partain and footstone at right
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Jennett Partain - 1882
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John Partain
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Footstone for John Partain |
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Uncle Robert Partain Dead
The community was shocked on
Tuesday morning on the receipt of the sad and unexpected
intelligence of the death of Rev. R. A. Partain, Deming's Bridge,
generally known as Uncle Robt. Partain.
He died very suddenly of
heart failure at his home near Deming's Bridge on Monday morning,
February 22nd, 1897 about 10 o'clock, aged 61 years.
Uncle Robert had just
returned from Ganado, where he filling an appointment as pastor,
staying all night Sunday night with some friends on the Carancahua,
he drove home Monday morning and in passing through one of the gates
his team tried to get away from him and in his efforts to recapture
them it is supposed that he ran for quite a distance and became much
excited and overheated, bringing on the heart trouble. He arrived
home however, complained of feeling badly and a physician was sent
for at once, but he only lived about 10 minutes after arriving home.
At least above are the particulars given to us by a messenger who
came across with the news to notify the local members of the Masonic
lodge, of which Uncle Robert was a member, who went across at once
to help bury him. So did Rev. McKee, the new Baptist pastor.
Deceased was, we believe, a
native of Matagorda county, at least he had lived here most of his
life, if not all. He was one of the oldest and most respected
citizens of the county. A plain man, but a kind-hearted, generous
and noble character. Everybody respected and loved him, and he took
such a fatherly interest in everyone that he was reverently called
Uncle Robert by almost everyone, because they loved him.
For a number of years he was
a regularly ordained Baptist preacher and he was such a faithful
worker in the Master's vineyard; his heart and life was so full of
Christian love that his life and his work was a power for good in
the cause. Well do we remember the last time he preached in Bay
City, only a few months ago, he made a touching appeal to the
unconverted and said that perhaps it would be his last appeal,
little did we then think of how soon his words would come true. His
life was true, so pure, so unselfish, that everybody had unlimited
confidence in his every profession and both saint and sinner
believed that he loved them from the depth of a genuine Christian
heart and life. Indeed his was a beautiful life to contemplate and
his influence for good will live on and on, like a pebble on the
mighty deep, long after his body has mouldered back to dust.
He had raised a large and
respected family in the county and leaves a wife and good large
family of children to mourn his loss. He was a noble and kind
husband and father. He has several grown children who reside in
other parts of the state.
His remains were laid to
rest on Wednesday in the family burying ground [Partain Cemetery] at
Deming's Bridge, the funeral services being conducted by the Masons.
Uncle Robert Partain lived a
noble life, he died a Christian death and has gone home to a
Christian's reward. His life is worthy of emulation, because he was
so grand and good. The Breeze joins the whole community in
extending to the bereaved our sincerest sympathies.
The Bay City Breeze,
February, 1897
[A handwritten note was
added to this obituary which said Mr. Partain was born August 1,
1836 in New Orleans. His family was involved in the Runaway Scrape.]
News reached El Campo Monday night that Rev. Robt.
Partain an old and well-known Baptist minister died in Demings
Bridge Monday with heart disease.--El Campo Eagle--Hallettsville
Herald, March 4, 1897
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Hartsell Harvey Gray Jr.
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HARTSELL HARVEY GRAY, JR. 8/2/28 ~ 5/12/08 Born in
Houston, the son of late Hartsell H. Sr. and Mazie
Jeanette (Partain) Gray. Hartsell graduated from North
Texas State University and the Episcopal Seminary of the
Southwest. After ordination, he served at St. Stephen's
Episcopal School in Austin and at St. James, St. Martins
and St. Columba Episcopal churches in Houston. He was a
member of the Texas Democratic party and the Pipefitters
Union Local 211 and served as Harris County Treasurer
during the 1970s. He is survived by his former wife and
their three children. The family thanks Mr. and Mrs.
Carr Dishroon of Houston for all their help and care;
thanks also to Father Russell Matthews, and the staffs
of the Luling Care Center and the San Marcos Hospice.
The family asks that any memorial donations be sent to
the San Marcos Hospice, San Marcos, Texas.
Published in the Houston Chronicle on
5/18/2008.
The bricks were originally placed by
Mr. and Mr. Carr Dishroon at the time of the burial of
the
cremains. |
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Photo courtesy of Renee Huff
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The Last Will and Testament
of Mrs. Nancy Partain
Number 92, pages 254-55
I,
Nancy Partain of the County of Matagorda and State of Texas, do make
and publish this my last will and testament this the 13th
thirteenth day of April A.D. 1886.
Item First, I give and bequeath unto my Grandson Thomas Edwin
Partain three hundred and thirty seven acres of Land out of and a
part of the J. C. Partain league and is that portion of Land which I
now own lying North of that portion of land which was partitioned
and sett apart to him as heir of John Partain, and said Land is
bounded on the North by Lands owned by John B. Smith and Lands owned
by A. H. and J. E. Pierce and is a portion of the Land which I
inherited from my dec’d son Alfred Partain.
Item Second, I give and bequeath unto my son Robert A. Partain all
of the balance of the Land which I own in the John C. Partain League
which is one thousand and eleven acres more or less.
Item Third, -- I give and bequeath unto my Grandson Thomas Edwin
Partain one seventh of that stock of cattle ranging in Matagorda
County marked and branded
thus .
Item Fourth.—I give and bequeath unto my son Robert A. Partain six
sevenths of all that certain stock of cattle ranging in the County
of Matagorda and State of Texas marked and branded thus
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I
appoint as my executor my son Robert A. Partain.
Signed in the presence of
x by
the
undersigned each of
x Nancy X Partain
whom is also witness to the
x mark
signature of the other. x
Witness J. E. Pierce x
Witness Pertillar Lee x
Filed October 9th A.D. 1988
Recorded Decbr. 4th A. D. 1988
Geo’
Austin, Clerk Co. let. M. les.
In the Matter of the Estate of Nancy Partain, dec.
Proof of Will
This day personally appeared in open court Jonathan E. Pierce
(signed will J. E. Pierce) a citizen of Matagorda County Texas, and
one of the subscribing witnesses to the last will and testament of
Nancy Partain dec’ who after being duly sworn deposeth as follows to
wit- that the instrument now produced in open Court and shown to him
and purporting to be the last will and testament of Nancy Partain
dec’ consisting of two pages,-- and marked exhibit “A” for
identification was signed by the said Nancy Partain by making her
cross X for her signature on the 13th day of April A.D.
1886 in Matagorda County Texas. in the presence of him the said
Jonathan E. Pierce and Pertillar Lee, and that she the said Nancy
Partain dec. the testatrix then and there declared to them (Said
witnesses Jonathan E. Pierce and said Pertillar Lee) that said
written instrument was her last will and testament and she then and
there requested said Jonathan E. Pierce and said Pertillar Lee to
witness said will and to sign their names thereto as subscribing
witnesses and deponent further says that in compliance with said
request he said Jonathan E. Pierce (who signed J. E. Pierce) and
Pertillar Lee, did then and there each sign their names to said will
on the left hand side thereof as subscribing witnesses thereto in
the presence of said Nancy Partain and in the presence of each
other, and deponent further says that said Jonathan E. Pierce and
said Pertillar Lee are citizens of said Matagorda County Texas and
each over the age of 14 years and that they have no interest in the
estate of said Nancy Partain deceased by said will. and deponent
further says that said Nancy Partain at the time of executing the
said will was a citizen of said Matagorda County and over the age of
21 years that she was of sound mind and disposing memory and that
she died in said of Matagorda on the 14th day of August
A.D. 1888. So help me God.
Sworn to & subscribed x
before me this the 4th day
x J. E. Pierce
of
Decr. 1888 x
E. S. Rugeley Sr.
County Judge
Filed Decbr’ 4th 1888
Recorded Decbr’ 4th 1888
Geo’ Austin, Clerk Co. let. M. les.
Will courtesy of Partain descendent, Bill Fisher.
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Will
of Robert Abner Partain
State
of Texas County of Matagorda
November 24th 1896
To all
Whom it may concern know ye that I
Robt Abner Partain Do this Day make this my last
Will and testament. I give Devise, and Bequeath
my Estate and property, Both Real and Personal
as follows to the six children by my first wife
Jennett five Dollars Each as follows to R. A. Partain
five
to Z. T. Partain five to Sarah Emma Keeling five to J.
A.
Partain five to Annie Laura Smith five to C. N. Partain
five the same to Be paid Each of them By the Executor
of this my last will and I Do give and Bequeath all the
Rest of my Estate of six hundred and fifteen acres of
land out of the J. C. Partain Leag No. 28 to gether with
all
improvements thereon also all my stock of cattle in the
following Brands RP and
also all Horses owned By me
also all Hogs also all my Household and kitchen
furniture
Buggys wagons plows and any thing Else Belong to me I Do
give
and Bequeath to my wife Ella Just such Part of Both Real
and Personal Property as will make it her equal with our
children namely Jennett Ella Partain, Delia Robt Partain
and Abner Burns Partain and any other child that might
Be Born to us after writing of this my last will giving
and willing to my wife Ella Partain a childs part or
interest of all
that I own Both Real and Personal property and I Do
appoint
my wife Ella Partain Executor of this my last will and
testament and she shall not Be Required to give Bond But
shall Enter into full charge at my Death in Witness
whereof
I sign my name to this my last will and testament.
R. A.
Partain
Courtesy of
Jennifer Bishop
Mary B. McAllister Ingram Archives
Matagorda County Museum |
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Inventory Appraisement of the Estate of Robert
Abner Partain
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Notice of Issuing Letters Testamentary
All creditors of the estate of R. A. Partain,
deceased, are hereby notified that letters testamentary on said
decedents estate, were issued to me by the Probate Court of
Matagorda county, Texas, on the 4th day of May 1897, and that you
must present your claims to me, properly verified, within the time
prescribed by law, or they will be forever barred.
My residence and post office address are at
Demings Bridge, Matagorda county, Texas.
Ella Partain, Extr'x. of Est. of R. A. Partain,
Dec'd.
Bay City Breeze, May 20, 1897
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Notice by Publication of Final Account
No. 137
THE STATE OF TEXAS
To the Sheriff or any Constable of Matagorda
County, greeting.
Mrs. Ella Partain Executrix of the Estate of R.
A. Partain decd. having filed in our county court her Final Account
of the condition of the Estate of said Estate together with an
application to be discharged from said Administration.
You are hereby commanded, that by publication of
the Writ for Twenty days previous to return day in a Newspaper
regularly published in the County of Matagorda you give notice to
all persons interested in the account of Final Settlement of said
Estate to file their objection thereto, if any they have, on or
before the August Term, 1898, of said County Court, commencing and
to be holden at the Court House of said county, in the town of Bay
City on the first Monday in August A. D. 1898, when said Account and
Application will be considered by said Court.
Witness, Geo. Austin clerk of the County Court of
Matagorda County
Given under my hand and seal of said Court, at my
office, in the town of Bay City this the 5th day of July, A. D.
1898.
[L. S.]
Geo. Austin, Clerk C. C. Matagorda Co., By Geo. Burkhart, Deputy
A true copy, I certify. A. I. Rugeley, Sheriff
Matagorda Co., By Amos Lee deputy Sheriff.
Bay City Breeze, July 9, 1898
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