Lewis Family Cemetery
Historical marker location:
This family burial ground has roots in Sterling C. Robertston's colonies of the 1830s. Thomas Curry, born in 1771 in South Carolina, married Satsay (Satsa) Vann, a member of the Cherokee Indian tribe and daughter of a tribal leader. They had nine children, and following Satsa's death, Thomas and several family members, including son David and his wife Jane (Phillips), joined a group of colonists settling in Texas in 1834. Thomas was accepted as a settler in the Nashville Colony, and his one league grant of land stretched from south of Little River to Elm Creek, including the land on which the Lewis Family Cemetery is sited. After Thomas died in 1841, David and Jane Curry moved from Robertson County, where their four children were born, to Milam County. In 1847, the Currys moved to the Thomas Curry land grant. Daughter Anne Elizabeth married Squire William Michael Lewis, and they were prominent in the development of the communities of Corinth, Buckholts and Cameron. Squire was the first Justice of the Peace in Corinth and a charter member of the Masonic Lodge in Cameron, and helped build the Milam County Courthouse. He also served in the Confederacy's Fourth Texas Mounted Volunteers during the Civil War, participating in campaigns in Louisiana and New Mexico. Squire Lewis died in 1867 and was buried beneath a large oak tree on the family ranch, establishing the Lewis Family Cemetery. More than two dozen people, including seventeen family members, are buried here. In 1877, a typhoid epidemic caused the deaths of Elizabeth and Tapley Dewberry and Elizabeth Hutchins; they and other neighbors were also buried here. The majority of the graves in this historic graveyard are from before 1900. Historic Texas Cemetery-2007
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.
The Battle of San Jacinto fought on April 21, 1836, was the decisive battle of the Texas Revolution, and led to the capture of Santa Anna and the end of the conflict.
In 1825, the Mexican government issued land grants in the region, attracting a wave of American immigrants to the area. In 1834, the Mexican government designated Milam County as a separate municipality, and it was named after Benjamin Rush Milam, a prominent Texas revolutionary. After the Texas Revolution in 1836, the region experienced continuous growth and development.
During the mid-19th century, agriculture became the primary industry in Milam County, with cotton being the dominant crop. Many plantations were established, relying on slave labor until the abolition of slavery in 1865. The county also saw the establishment of several small towns, including Cameron, Rockdale, and Buckholts, which served as centers of trade and commerce.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the arrival of the railroad played a significant role in the county's development. The expansion of rail lines allowed for easier transportation of goods and people, boosting the local economy. The county experienced periods of prosperity and setbacks, including the Great Depression, but managed to rebound and adapt to changing economic conditions.
Today, Milam County remains an agricultural hub, known for its production of cotton, corn, and livestock. It is also home to scenic landscapes, historical landmarks, and a vibrant community that values its history and heritage. The county continues to evolve, embracing new opportunities while preserving its cultural roots.
Milam County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Milam County, Texas.
- 1824 - Milam County is part of the Mexican state of Coahuila y Tejas
- 1837 - The Republic of Texas establishes Milam County as a separate entity
- 1846 - Milam County is officially part of the state of Texas after the Texas Annexation
- 1860s - Milam County experiences a surge in population and economic growth due to the railroad expansion
- 1874 - Cameron is selected as the county seat of Milam County
- 1940s-1950s - Milam County becomes an important hub for oil and gas production
- 1960s-1970s - Milam County faces economic decline due to the decrease in oil and gas production
- 1990s - Milam County experiences some economic revitalization through tourism and the establishment of new industries