Richmond in Fort Bend County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Morton Cemetery
Photographed By Richard Denney, September 19, 2009
1. Morton Cemetery Marker
Burial place of illustrious pioneers, including 1838-1841 Republic of Texas President Mirabeau B. Lamar (1798-1859) and one of State's first women settlers, Jane Long (1798-1880), known as "The Mother of Texas."
On Labor No. 1 of Mexican land grant to William Morton, 1822 settler in advance party of Austin's "Old 300" colonists; founded 1825 when Morton buried Robert Gelaspie (Gillespie), a brother Mason who had met with foul play. Later he erected a handmade brick tomb, the first known Masonic landmark in Texas.
In an 1833 Brazos flood, Morton himself met death and his body was lost. His widow Nancy inherited Labor No. 1 and sold it to Handy & Lusk, promoters of the Richmond townsite. In 1854 the parcel of land encompassing the cemetery was acquired by Michael DeChaumes. In the 1890s Morton Lodge No. 72, A. F. & A. M., gained possession of "DeChaumes Cemetery" and operated it as Richmond Masonic Cemetery until the early 1940s. It was then turned over to the newly-formed Richmond Cemetery Association, which later was retitled Morton Cemetery Association, probably to have its name conform to "Morton Cemetery" -- the name in use ever since the era of Lodge ownership.
The cemetery has become a memorial to its founder.
Erected 1972 by State Historical Survey
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Settlements & Settlers • War, Texas Independence. A significant historical year for this entry is 1825.
Location. 29° 35.187′ N, 95° 45.761′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Texas, in Fort Bend County. Marker can be reached from Commerce Street, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located just inside the entrance to Morton Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 401 North 2nd Street, Richmond TX 77469, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Morton Cemetery Veterans Flag Pole (here, next to this marker); Morton Cemetery 1822 (a few steps from this marker); John McNabb (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); William Morton (about 300 feet away); H. Schumacher Oil Works (about 400 feet away); Morton-McCloy House (about 400 feet away); Thomas Jefferson Smith (about 500 feet away); Walter Moses Burton (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.
Photographed By Richard Denney, September 19, 2009
2. Entrance to Morton Cemetery
Historical marker is visible on right, by the flag
Photographed By Richard Denney, September 19, 2009
3. Cemetery map
Photographed By Richard Denney, September 19, 2009
4. Grave of Republic of Texas President Mirabeau B. Lamar
Photographed By Richard Denney, September 19, 2009
5. Grave of Jane Long, known as "The Mother of Texas"
Photographed By Richard Denney, September 19, 2009
6. Brick tomb and monument, first known Masonic landmark in Texas
Erected by William Morton to honor Robert Gillespie, a brother Mason who had met with foul play.
Photographed By Richard Denney, September 19, 2009
7. Historical marker associated with Masonic tomb
The marker states that Santa Anna's army camped here enroute to the Battle of San Jacinto. Several Mexican soldiers attempted to destroy the monument, but were stopped by one of their officers who was also a Mason.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 23, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 25, 2009, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. This page has been viewed 5,955 times since then and 31 times this year. Last updated on November 18, 2018, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on September 25, 2009, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
