|
|
|
R E S O L U T I O N
|
|
|
WHEREAS, The Sand Flat Cemetery in Henderson County has been |
|
recognized with a Historic Texas Cemetery marker from the Texas |
|
Historical Commission; and |
|
WHEREAS, In 1856, pioneer Joseph M. Stirman donated land in |
|
the Sand Flat community northwest of Athens for a church and school |
|
to serve all residents, regardless of race or religion; two acres |
|
were set aside as a graveyard for African Americans, and the first |
|
burial was recorded in 1884, when Clarissa Andrews Royal was laid to |
|
rest; her husband, Abraham Royal, and a number of their descendants |
|
were interred nearby in later years; and |
|
WHEREAS, Other prominent settlers buried in the Sand Flat |
|
Cemetery include Henry Givens and Joseph Manion; believed to have |
|
been brought to Henderson County as slaves in 1855, both men became |
|
farmers, and like Abraham Royal, they were registered on the Black |
|
Voters List; Mr. Givens further served as a school trustee in the |
|
early years of the community; and |
|
WHEREAS, In time, the graveyard became the final resting |
|
place for many education professionals and for veterans of the two |
|
World Wars, the Korean Conflict, and the Vietnam War; today, |
|
descendants of the settlers provide much of the care for the site; |
|
the current officers of the Cemetery Association are president |
|
George Jones, vice president Earl Brown, treasurer Ivory Joe |
|
Givens, secretary Kim Allen, and board member Edward Johnson; and |
|
WHEREAS, The preservation of Sand Flat Cemetery reflects a |
|
profound respect for the contributions of those who helped build |
|
the community in the 19th and 20th centuries, and the receipt of |
|
this prestigious honor from the Texas Historical Commission will |
|
allow visitors to gain a greater appreciation for the rich heritage |
|
of this locality; now, therefore, be it |
|
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas |
|
Legislature hereby commemorate the dedication of a Historic Texas |
|
Cemetery marker at Sand Flat Cemetery and commend all those |
|
associated with the care of the site and with the effort to secure |
|
this award; and, be it further |
|
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
|
prepared for the Sand Flat Cemetery Association as an expression of |
|
high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. |
|
|
Gooden |
|
|
|
______________________________ |
|
Speaker of the House |
|
|
I certify that H.R. No. 130 was adopted by the House on |
|
February 18, 2013, by a non-record vote. |
|
|
|
______________________________ |
|
Chief Clerk of the House |
|