Lee Co., TX - Cemeteries: Gardner-Lawhon Cemetery ***************************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb by: Dennis Awbrey USGenWeb Archives. Copyright. All rights reserved http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ***************************************************** Gardner-Lawhon Cemetery The Gardner-Lawhon Cemetery was first established on March 5, 1872, when Isaac Gardner was the first to be buried at this location. Isaac was the son of Marmaduke Gardner and Rhoda Caroline (Ussery) Gardner, who are also buried here. The land for the cemetery was owned by Marmaduke Gardner and dedicated by him for family burials. Family history, handed down through oral tradition, states that Isaac Gardner and his father were resting at this location when Isaac, leaning against a tree, commented to his father, “This would be a beautiful place to be buried.” It is believed that Isaac died soon afterwards and, according to his wish, was the first to be buried at this site. Isaac, was the only one of triplets to survive past infancy, however, he had frequent illnesses and died at the young age of eighteen. The Cemetery is divided into two sections with the Lawhon family on the left side and the Gardner family on the right. The two family patriarchs were Judge David E. Lawhon and Marmaduke Gardner. Gardner moved to this area of Texas in 1854, with his brother Benjamin Franklin Gardner. David Lawhon moved to Nacogdoches, Texas in 1835 and established the first newspaper in the new Republic to help promote the fight for Texas Independence. After the war, he served as a Captain in the militia fighting against Indian raids. He was wounded on three occasions. Following his service in the militia, he was appointed as a District Judge for the Republic of Texas. Judge David Lawhon and his family moved to this area around 1860. His brother,Hugh M. Lawhon, had moved earlier in 1844 and established a large farm south of Elgin. Members of his family are buried at Young’s Prairie Cemetery off of Hwy 1704. The Lawhon and Gardner families were very close. Three sons and a daughter of David E. Lawhon married three daughters and one son of Marmaduke Gardner. Interesting Cemetery Facts • There are 36 people known to be buried in the cemetery of which 33 are identified, two unidentified and an infant buried with the mother. No unmarked gravesites are known to be in the cemetery; however, it is certainly possible. • Almost 30% of the burials in this cemetery (10), were children at age eight or younger. Only two of the ten lived past their third birthday. • Nancy E. “Betty” (Lawhon) Gardner and her infant died in 1907 during childbirth. She was buried with her infant in her arms. Betty was the wife of James Madison Gardner. • Judge David E. Lawhon lived to be the oldest at 72 yrs. 8 mos., but was closely followed by his wife, Nancy Carr Lawhon, age 72 (months unknown), and Rhoda C. (Gardner) Lawhon, who died at age 72 yrs. 5 mos. • The most “famous” person buried here is Judge David E. Lawhon. A State Highway Historical Marker, established in his memory and citing his many accomplishments, is only a few hundred yards north of the entrance road. • The last known burial here is Ernest N. McCord, who died on November 22, 1920. • From the first burial in 1872 until the last in 1920 represents 48 years of active use. After 1920, the families who remained in the area, used other nearby established cemeteries. The cemetery was a private family cemetery and is no longer active. It is located on private property. Anyone wishing to visit this site, or needing additional genealogical information, please contact Dennis Awbrey (great grandson of David E. Lawhon) by email: dawbrey@gmail.com =============================================== Surname Common Names Birth Death =============================================== Arnold John S. 09/06/1886 09/06/1886 Barber Geoffrey W. 12/07/1867 07/25/1873 Barber Rhoda 12/19/1853 09/13/1884 Barber Lafayette 12/30/1871 03/23/1893 Barber S.J. 07/17/1829 09/08/1899 Dear Iva --/--/---- --/--/---- Duncan John --/--/1818 02/04/1880 Gardner Isaac 01/28/1854 03/05/1872 Gardner (Mother) --/--/1823 04/01/1872 Gardner Nancy E. 11/26/1850 03/13/1873 Gardner Rhoda (Ussery) 12/21/1814 07/30/1878 Gardner Marmaduke 08/08/1812 05/04/1879 Gardner M.V.B. 12/08/1879 09/10/1882 Gardner Esther 03/18/1839 12/07/1883 Jones J.M. 12/29/1845 12/01/1873 Jones Amanda J. 09/11/1837 08/--/1892 Jones Joseph 09/30/1866 05/08/1906 Lawhon James W. 01/23/1855 04/22/1877 Lawhon James 12/07/1878 04/25/1879 Lawhon Mary 08/08/1877 05/07/1879 Lawhon James Wesley 03/01/1879 09/18/1880 Lawhon Relley 10/17/1881 12/01/1881 Lawhon David E. 06/15/1811 02/14/1884 Lawhon William Owen 03/12/1882 02/15/1890 Lawhon D.B. 11/07/1848 01/07/1892 Lawhon Nancy 00/00/1824 --/--/1896 Lawhon Willy J. 03/14/1902 04/15/1903 Lawhon W.J. 03/04/1845 08/01/1905 Lawhon J.C. 09/11/1843 04/15/1907 Lawhon Lucy H. 05/19/1856 09/05/1907 Lawhon Ellen 07/06/1852 05/19/1917 Lawhon Rhoda 05/13/1845 10/28/1917 McCord Earnest N. 11/08/1920 11/22/1920