Rockport Cemetery, Rockport, Texas. (original) (raw)
Rockport Cemetery historical marker
Photo courtesy Ken Rudine, 3-04
Historical Marker:
Rockport Cemetery
This cemetery has served the citizens of Rockport and Fulton for over a century. The oldest marked grave is that of Emma Fulton (d. 1876), granddaughter of George Ware Fulton, who was instrumental in the development of the area and was interred in the cemetery in 1893. A large number of burials took place here in 1918, the year of a devastating influenza epidemic. The cemetery contains the graves of veterans of the Texas Revolution, Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. The Rockport Cemetery Association maintains the historic graveyard.
(1988)
The tombstone of Emma Fulton. "The oldest marked grave" according to the Rockport Cemetery Historical marker
Photo courtesy Ken Rudine, 3-04
Rockport Cemetery Information
Editor�s note: Our thanks to Judy Trahan who took the time to alert us to an error which appears on our coverage of Rockport. Her letter follows:�Regardless of what the Texas Historical Marker says, there are several marked graves in the Rockport cemetery that are older than that of Emma Fulton. I am including photos of some older graves.
Emma Fulton died in 1876 while Andrew J. Hogan died�in 1874, John Choate and his brother Crockett in August of 1869 and Cora Caldwell Mathis in October of that same year. There are others. That historical marker could use correcting."
Tombstone of Andrew J. Hogan
Photo courtesy Judy Trahan
Andrew J. Hogan
Born in Kentucky 1836
Died Dec. 8th 1874
Sacred to the Memory of Andrew J. Hogan
Aged 38 Years
He was at one time the postmaster and part owner of a saloon.
Tombstone of John Choate
Photo courtesy Judy Trahan
John Choate
Born: Jul. 25, 1818 in Louisiana
Died: Aug. 3, 1869 San Patricio County, Texas
There is no actual headstone, but on the top slab of John Choate's grave is written:
�SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF JOHN CHOATE
Who was born in the State of Louisiana on the 25th day of July A.D. 1818 and was killed at his residence in San Patricio Co. Texas on the 3rd day of August A.D. 1869
A good man and true has gone to his rest. He was an affectionate husband, a good neighbor, a warm friend and a zealous Mason.
This simple tribute to his memory was erected by his wife who of all, esteemed him most for his many virtues.�
Tombstone of Cora Linda Lampkin Caldwell Mathis
Photo courtesy Judy Trahan
>Cora Linda Lampkin Caldwell Mathis
1846-1869
Wife of T. H. MATHIS (namesake of Mathis, Texas) Died October 11, 1869 Aged 22 years 9 months and 27 days
�We part to meet again.�
Shortly after her marriage, Cora died of typhoid fever.
The graves of John Choate and Crockett Choate sure caught my attention. Researching those two made for some interesting reading. There is so much history (and art) in old Texas Cemeteries. I enjoy your [magazine]. Thank you for your response. - Judy Trahan
Subject: Rockport Cemetery
"I caution on prior correction about there being older interments at this cemetery than listed on the Historical Marker. I notice one of the noted deaths took place in San Patricio County, 1 year prior to Rockport existing in 1870, or thereabouts.
It would be my thought the 1869 death, caused burial somewhere in San Patricio County and the body later moved due to a land sale or a road being built or whatever. I think several of the older headstones/remains were just moved there due to family wishes and the burial of the Fulton child, was likely the first. Land records may be available to establish the exact date the cemetery was made available.
I realize the headstones appear to be evidence of the burial being there first, but think about 1869, and moving a body by buckboard over unpaved roads after the death. Probably the smell alone would cause burial to be swift to a family cemetery on the back 40 acres. Then removed to Rockport years later to be "with the family" in Rockport."
- Max Wier III, San Antonio, TX
Descendant of Joseph F. Smith, a founder of Rockport, and Mary Elizabeth Kennedy Sheldon, granddaughter of Joseph Smith and wife of Ben Sheldon.
May 06, 2017
More Rockport Cemetery Images:
Rockport Cemetery Gate
Photo courtesy Ken Rudine, 3-04
Rockport Cemetery scene
Photo courtesy Ken Rudine, 3-04
Bluebonnets in the Rockport Cemetery
Photo courtesy Ken Rudine, 3-04
Spring comes to Rockport Cemetery
Photo courtesy Ken Rudine, 3-04
Fulton family obelisk
Photo courtesy Ken Rudine, 3-04
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