Hart-Herrington Cemetery
Historical marker location:William Henry Hart was born in Georgia in March 1804. Hampton Jackson Herrington was born in the same state in 1817. Hart married Sarah Granberry Herrington, becoming "Hamp" Herrington's brother-in-law. Herrington married Rachel Overstreet in 1838; after Rachel's death he married her sister, Elizabeth Overstreet, in 1845.
The Hart and Herrington families moved to the East Texas community of Providence in 1853. In that year Hart served as a delegate from Jefferson County to select a nominee for congressman for East Texas. Hart and Herrington purchased eighty acres of the W. M. Bumstead survey n 1854. A portion of that land was to be set aside for a cemetery.
When Hardin County was created in 1858, William H. Hart was elected county treasurer and his brother-in-law, "Hamp" Herrington, became the first chief justice (county judge).
William Hart died in 1861 and his body was interred near this site, formally establishing the cemetery. The next burial was that of Sarah Ann Teel of Saratoga, who died in 1872. Sarah Herrington Hart was buried beside her husband in 1896.
Hampton Herrington served the people of Hardin County until his own death in 1899. Of the nine marked graves in Hart-Herrington Cemetery, eight are those of relatives of William and Sarah Hart or Hampton and Elizabeth Herrington. Believed to be the second graveyard established in Hardin County, the Hart-Herrington Cemetery remains as a chronicle of the pioneers of East 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.
Texas has been a major oil-producing state for over a century. The first big oil discovery in Texas was the Spindletop field near Beaumont in 1901, which set off a massive oil boom that transformed the state's economy and made Texas one of the wealthiest states in the country.
During the early 19th century, the region was part of Mexico. However, after Texas became an independent republic in 1836, Hardin County was officially established in 1858 and named after the leader of the Battle of New Orleans, William Hardin.
The county experienced significant growth and development during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. One of the most important events in Hardin County's history was the discovery of oil in 1902, leading to an economic boom. Oil wells were drilled, refineries were established, and the local economy flourished.
Hardin County also played a role in World War II, as the area was home to Camp Hardin, a military training camp. The county's population surged during this time, as soldiers and their families moved into the area.
Today, Hardin County continues to be an important part of Texas' history and economy. It offers a mix of rural and suburban areas, with agriculture and oil production remaining vital industries. The county is proud of its heritage, with several historical landmarks and museums, preserving its past for future generations.
Hardin County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Hardin County, Texas.