Historic Cemetery

Feagin Cemetery

Livingston, Texas 77351
Location: Feagin Cemetery Recorded: POLK02, POLK06—Parsons; Rootsweb, © Rootsweb: : “cemetery is located in Hortence, Texas (between Livingston and Woodville, Tx). From Livingston take Hwy 190 E. … approx. 12-14 miles to Hwy 2500 take a left. Go Approx. 8-10 miles to Hwy 942 and take a right. …approx. 6 miles to Feagin Cemetery sign and take a right. Stay on main dirt road to cemetery which is on the right side of the fork in the road.” Polk Co Tx Cem/website: “established 1905, many graves. Index.” L. C. Moore, Polk Co., lists as Feagan Cemetery, no descript. THC Marker: ““Aaron (1811-1863) and Sarah (Merrill) (1824-1869) Feagin came from Alabama to the Bear Creek community in 1857. …paid $10,000 in gold for 2, 820 acres of land … built a house …store. … daughter and her husband J. A. Handley operated a store in nearby Moscow; Handley served in the Civil War. In 1868 the Handley family moved to Bear Creek to help the widowed Sarah raise the younger Feagin children. John A. Handley, who had been postmaster in Moscow, applied for a Bear Creek post office in 1891 and the town was renamed for his youngest daughter, Hortense. In 1905 the Handleys deeded two acres of the Feagin land, including the burial plots of Aaron and Sarah, for a public cemetery. Their son Jesse and his wife Ada (Rice) Handley added 1.5 more acres to expand the cemetery in 1926. US Veteranserans of several major American and international conflicts are interred here, as are many early Bear Creek and Hortense families. A 1997 count revealed more than 200 marked graves in Feagin Cemetery. Many more are unmarked; most of these are likely to be those of infants. Five graves, [indexed] those of the five children of Jessie E. Parrish, Bear witness to the difficulties of pioneer life. Feagin Cemetery continues to serve the Hortense community.” (Erected 1998) R. Peebles lists as Feagin, “2 mile off FM 942, E of Leggett on the “Old Midway Road.” GNIS. L. Moore: “From Hwy 50, Leggett, R on Hwy 942, 12 miles, then right 2 miles.” CSA; US Veteranss: WWI and WWII, Korea, VietnamTHC site visit MB 3-01-05GPS and NOTES PENDING.

To address the problem of cemetery destruction and to record as many cemeteries as possible, the Texas Historical Commission offers the Historic Texas Cemetery designation.

The Historic Texas Cemetery designation was developed in 1998 to help protect historic cemeteries by recording cemetery boundaries in county deed records to alert present and future owners of land adjacent to the cemetery of its existence. Every county in Texas has at least one cemetery designated as a Historic Texas Cemetery through this program. The HTC designation is the first step toward preservation of a historic cemetery.

A cemetery is eligible for designation if it is at least 50 years old and is deemed worthy of recognition for its historical associations. The very nature of a cemetery being a landmark of a family’s or community’s presence is considered to validate the criteria of historical associations. Any individual, organization, or agency may submit a request for designation.

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
Polk County, Texas, located in the eastern part of the state, has a rich and diverse history dating back to indigenous peoples who inhabited the area for thousands of years. The region was settled by European explorers in the early 1800s, with the establishment of Stephen F. Austin's colony. Polk County was officially formed in 1846, named after the former United States President James K. Polk.

During the 19th century, the county witnessed significant developments, including the arrival of railroads in the late 1800s, which led to economic growth and an influx of settlers. Timber became the county's most important resource, and the lumber industry boomed, fueled by abundant pine forests. Sawmills and logging camps thrived, shaping the county's economy for many years.

The county's history also includes periods of strife. During the Civil War, Polk County experienced its fair share of conflict, with many residents joining the Confederate army. Additionally, the county suffered from occasional raids by Native American tribes, seeking to regain their land and resist encroachment.

In the 20th century, Polk County continued to progress, with further advancements in transportation and industry. The construction of dams on the Trinity River provided hydroelectric power and created recreational opportunities with the formation of Lake Livingston. Agriculture also played a significant role, particularly in the production of livestock and crops such as cotton.

Today, Polk County is a mix of rural communities and growing suburban areas. Its proximity to Houston has attracted residents looking for a quieter way of life while still having access to urban amenities. The county remains influenced by its past, with reminders of its rich history visible in the form of historic sites, museums, and landmarks that showcase the diverse and fascinating story of Polk County.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Polk County, Texas.

  • 1846 - Polk County, Texas is established.
  • Mid-1800s - Early settlers arrive, primarily farmers and ranchers.
  • Late 1800s - Logging and lumber industry becomes prominent.
  • 1881 - Trinity and Sabine Valley Railway reaches the county, boosting trade and transportation.
  • Early 1900s - Oil and gas exploration begins in the county.
  • 1930s-1940s - The Great Depression and World War II bring economic challenges.
  • 1957 - Lake Livingston is completed, becoming a popular recreational area.
  • 1980s - Tourism and retirement industries grow in the county.
  • 2000s - Population and economic growth continue.