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Cemetery No. FB-C053 Also known as: |
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Brief History: Dr. Johnson Calhoun Hunter first came
to the Spanish Territory (Texas) in July 1821, leaving a wagon load of
medicines with Juan Martin de Veramendi in San Fernando de Béxar (present The Johnson Hunter family started the Johnson Hunter
cemetery when they buried Letitia, their three year
old daughter, July 7, 1831. Next they
buried their son John Calhoun Hunter, who served as a soldier in The Republic
of Texas as needed from 1835 until September 3, 1844, when he reportedly died
from a skirmish between Republic of Texas and Mexican soldiers. Three Johnson & Martha Hunter children
(Thaddeus The present 3.32 acre Dr. Johnson C. Hunter cemetery is on what was then prairie land about 400 yards north of their home on Oyster Creek that was dedicated for use as “cemetery, church and school”. The graves of Johnson Hunter family members are all in the southern most 100 feet of the cemetery, which is called Section I. Section II is all of the rest of the cemetery and includes graves of friends and neighbors. At least 63 graves have so far been identified from tombstones, records or physical indications of graves in this historic cemetery, which is also known as the “Brick Church Graveyard”. After the death of Dr. Hunter and his wife, Mary Martha (Harbert) Hunter; and as their children died or moved elsewhere, all Johnson Hunter property in Fort Bend County, including this cemetery, was sold. As years and generations passed, the cemetery appeared to become essentially forgotten and neglected. Location: The
Dr. Johnson C. Hunter Cemetery is about 7.5 miles northeast of Purpose of This Website: To provide a means for sharing information about all the historic families that are buried in this cemetery, especially those pioneer families that contributed in many ways to the formation of the Republic and later State of Texas. A timeline (sequential review) menu item on this website covers significant events of family and other history, especially for the first 80 years from the time that Texas was Spanish territory, during the life of the initial Johnson C. Hunter family. The history of all those that lived, contributed and died and are buried in this cemetery is important and will be included as information on those persons or families is obtained. Contact Information: To share suggested changes or additions to this website, please contact:
Cemetery Restoration Status: In April 2004, concern about neglect of this cemetery and development adjacent to this cemetery caused concern that the site needed permanent protection and recognition. Several descendants of Dr. Hunter began gathering evidence required for certification as a Texas Historic Cemetery. Rampant brush growth was cleared from around graves, additional grave evidence was identified and work began to restore the cemetery to the appearance it likely had prior to 1900. Most Johnson Hunter Family gravestones had fallen, several had disappeared below grade and several were broken. No headstone or permanent identification has been found for many of the known graves of others buried in this cemetery. Mr. Chad Talbot, an Eagle Scout candidate, supervised Boy Scouts from Troop 1294 to help clear brush and to identify additional graves. In October 2004, official Texas Historic Cemetery status was granted. There is still work to do clearing brush around graves, identifying additional historic graves, locating information on others in this cemetery and continuing to restore the cemetery to more appropriately honor historic early Texans. This cemetery does not have permanent maintenance. Visitors should come prepared for possible high weeds and exercise caution regarding insects, snakes or other possible hazards. Help in mowing around graves, either physically or by contributions, would be appreciated. Please contact me at above address if you would like to help with maintenance of this historic cemetery. |
