HistoricSiteMarkers
Early Republic

John and Lucinda Nugent Sheridan

Grapeland, Houston County, Texas

Marker Inscription

John and Lucinda (Nugent) Sheridan left North Carolina in the mid-1820s and became two of Houston County's first permanent settlers. John (Apr. 5, 1796 – May 10, 1837), a former Texas Ranger, was killed by Indians in what is now Anderson County. Lucinda (Jan. 20, 1808 - Feb. 4, 1862) retrieved his body for burial on his own property. Although the exact grave site is unknown, it is approximately .5 miles north of this site. Lucinda, who is buried here, later gave part of their land for this cemetery. Recorded - 1984

Erected by Texas Historical Commission

The Story

John and Lucinda Sheridan left North Carolina in the mid-1820s to become two of Houston County's earliest permanent settlers, arriving while Texas was still Mexican territory. John, a former Texas Ranger, was killed by Indians in 1837 in what is now Anderson County, and Lucinda retrieved his body to bury it on their own land. She later donated part of that land for the cemetery where she herself was laid to rest.

Why it matters

The Sheridans' story reflects the peril and sacrifice of the earliest Anglo settlers on the Texas frontier, where family homesteads and burial grounds marked the first roots of permanent settlement.

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Related people

  • · John Sheridan
  • · Lucinda Nugent Sheridan

Themes & tags

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