Historical Marker

Haley Bush Cemetery

Historical marker location:
101 Haley Bush Cemetery Drive, San Augustine, Texas
( 101 Haley Bush Cemetery Drive)
Marker installed: 2012
Marker size: 27" x 42"

HALEY BUSH CEMETERY

THIS HISTORIC CEMETERY IS LOCATED ON THE SAN AUGUSTINE AND SHELBY COUNTY LINE. THE REGION IN THE VICINITY OF THE HALEY BUSH CEMETERY WAS FIRST SETTLED BY PIONEERS AS EARLY AS 1812, ALTHOUGH MOST ARRIVED IN THE 1830s. THE LAND FOR THE CEMETERY WAS DONATED IN 1889 BY HALEY BLOUNT BUSH FROM A 160-ACRE TRACT GRANTED TO HER HUSBAND, JOHN BUSH. HALEY BLOUNT WAS BORN INTO SLAVERY IN PRECINCT 2 OF SHELBY COUNTY SOMETIME FROM 1861 TO 1866 TO GEORGE AND MANDA BLOUNT. HALEY’S FATHER, GEORGE BLOUNT, WAS BORN IN KENTUCKY IN 1833 AND HER MOTHER, MANDA, WAS BORN IN TEXAS AROUND 1837. GEORGE REMARRIED PAULINE (POLLY) JONES IN 1874 AFTER MANDA DIED. ANOTHER PROMINENT BURIAL IS THAT OF ISOM BIGGERS, A WELL-KNOWN AFRICAN AMERICAN CIVIL WAR VETERAN FROM THIS AREA. THE TWO MEN WHO VERIFIED BIGGERS’ SERVICE, FAYETE McWILLIAMS AND LEWIS GRACE, ARE THOUGHT TO BE BURIED IN HALEY BUSH CEMETERY.

FAMILY NAMES OF INDIVIDUALS BURIED HERE ARE DAVIS, FIELDS, JACKSON, JONES, KELLY, LANE, LIGON, MATLOCK, NETHERLY, REDMON AND WADE. SEVERAL OF THE KNOWN BURIALS ARE PERSONS BORN INTO SLAVERY IN TEXAS OR BROUGHT BY EARLY PIONEERS THAT SETTLED IN THIS REGION. THE CEMETERY HAS OVER 300 MARKED BURIALS AND POSSIBLY 70 TO 90 UNMARKED GRAVES. THE EARLIEST MARKED BURIAL IS THAT OF ELLEN JONES BIGGERS (1855-1881), THE FIRST WIFE OF ISOM BIGGERS. THE CEMETERY IS THE FINAL RESTING PLACE FOR VETERANS FROM THE CIVIL WAR, WORLD WAR I, WORLD WAR II, THE KOREAN WAR, AND THE VIETNAM WAR. GRAVE MARKERS VARY FROM CONCRETE, FIELDSTONE, GRANITE, LIMESTONE, MARBLE AND SANDSTONE. THIS HISTORIC BURIAL GROUND IS CARED FOR BY THE HALEY BUSH CEMETERY ASSOCIATION.

HISTORIC TEXAS CEMETERY – 2010

MARKER IS PROPERTY OF THE STATE OF TEXAS

As one of the most visible programs of the Texas Historical Commission (THC), historical markers commemorate diverse topics in Texas history, including: the history and architecture of houses, commercial and public buildings, religious congregations, and military sites; events that changed the course of local and state history; and individuals who have made lasting contributions to the state, community organizations, and businesses.

gravesites
The state of Texas was once an independent country known as the Republic of Texas. It gained independence from Mexico in 1836 and was a separate nation until it was annexed by the United States in 1845.
Texas random facts
Shelby County, Texas, located in the eastern part of the state, has a rich and diverse history. The region was originally inhabited by several Native American tribes, including the Caddo, Atakapa, and Hasinai. The first European explorers, including Spanish and French explorers, arrived in the area in the 18th century. However, it wasn't until the early 19th century that permanent settlement began.

In 1835, the Mexican government granted land in the area to Stephen F. Austin's colony, which attracted many settlers to Shelby County. The county was officially established in 1836 and named after Isaac Shelby, who was the first governor of Kentucky. The county's population grew steadily, and by the mid-19th century, it became a major center for agriculture, with cotton being the primary crop.

During the Civil War, Shelby County, like many other parts of Texas, sided with the Confederacy. It sent many men to fight in the Confederate army, and the local economy suffered from the effects of the war. However, the county rebounded after the war, and by the late 19th century, it experienced an economic boom with the discovery of oil and gas reserves.

In the 20th century, Shelby County continued to thrive, with the oil and gas industries playing a significant role in its economy. The county also witnessed significant social and political changes, with the Civil Rights Movement bringing about integration and equal rights for African Americans. Today, Shelby County remains an important agricultural and industrial center, with a mix of rural landscapes and urban developments.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Shelby County, Texas.

  • 1823 - Shelby County is established
  • 1836 - Shelby County plays a role in the Texas Revolution
  • 1845 - Texas is admitted to the United States, including Shelby County
  • 1859 - The Texas State Legislature establishes Center as the county seat of Shelby County
  • 1861-1865 - Shelby County is deeply affected by the American Civil War
  • 1905 - The discovery of oil leads to economic growth in Shelby County
  • 1940s-1950s - Shelby County experiences a decline in population due to rural-to-urban migration
  • 1976 - Shelby County celebrates its sesquicentennial anniversary
  • 2000s - Shelby County continues to be home to a diverse and vibrant community