Lamar Cemetery
Fulton, Aransas County, Texas
Marker Inscription
This burial ground originally served pioneer settlers of the Lamar community. Founded by James W. Byrne (d. 1862), a native of Ireland and a veteran of the Texas Revolution, it was named for his friend Mirabeau B. Lamar, President of the Republic of Texas from 1838-1841. The earliest grave is that of Patrick O' Connor (1822-1854), a bookkeeper for Byrne's business operations in New Orleans. The town of Lamar ceased to exist by 1915 and the cemetery was neglected until the 1940s when it was restored through efforts by the family of John Henry Kroeger, Jr. (d. 1944). (1981)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
This burial ground served the pioneers of Lamar, the coastal town founded by Irish-born Texas Revolution veteran James W. Byrne, who named it for his friend Mirabeau B. Lamar, president of the Republic of Texas. Its earliest grave belongs to Patrick O'Connor, a bookkeeper who had worked for Byrne in New Orleans. After the town of Lamar vanished by 1915, the neglected cemetery was rescued and restored in the 1940s.
Why it matters
The cemetery is nearly all that remains of a vanished Republic-era coastal town, preserving the memory of the Irish settlers and revolutionary veterans who built the early Texas Gulf communities.
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Related people
- · James W. Byrne
- · Mirabeau B. Lamar
- · Patrick O'Connor
Themes & tags
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