James and Rhoda Creel Beall Winters
New Waverly, Walker County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Winters Park, Set Aside to Honor Family of James and Rhoda Creel Beall Winters. Pioneers who led their large family here in 1834 from Tennessee. Two older sons, Wm. Carvin and John Frelan Winters, came to Texas in 1832. On receiving their good report, the parents moved to this land between east and west forks of San Jacinto River. With them came 10 of their children, some in-laws, and grandchildren. A daughter, Mrs. Caroline W. Fannin, died and was buried en route, on the Trinity River. James Winters, veteran of several American wars, was 62 when he left his new home to fight for Texas in 1835 conflict with Mexico. In the 1836 Texas War for Independence, he and a 15-year-old son, Benjamin, hauled supplies to the Texas army. In that war were three sons, Wm. C., J. F., and James W. Winters; and two sons-in-law, Jackson Crouch and Charles D. Edwards. Members of the Winters family helped to settle Caldwell, Frio, Hays, Lavaca, Live Oak and McMullen counties. The mill of Wm. Winters made much of the furniture for the 1857 Texas Capitol. In 1901 James W. Winters served Texas by helping mark battlefield at San Jacinto, where he fought 65 years earlier. The senior James Winters (born 1773) died in 1848; he is buried 2 miles south, at Waverly. Rhoda (1784-1859) is buried at Oakville, Live Oak County.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
James and Rhoda Winters led their large family from Tennessee to this land between the forks of the San Jacinto River in 1834, following the good report of two elder sons who had come ahead. When war with Mexico broke out, the family gave heavily to the cause: sons and sons-in-law fought in the 1836 Texas Revolution, and one son, James W. Winters, lived to help mark the San Jacinto battlefield in 1901, 65 years after fighting there. Family members went on to help settle half a dozen more Texas counties.
Why it matters
The Winters family embodies the pioneer clans whose migration and military service won and settled an independent Texas.
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Related people
- · James Winters
- · Rhoda Creel Beall Winters
- · James W. Winters
Related events
- · Battle of San Jacinto
- · Texas Revolution
Themes & tags
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