Independence in Washington County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Grave Site of R.E.B. Baylor
Site of the Grave of Robert Emmett Bledsoe Baylor was located along the street connecting Independence with the male campus. Judge Baylor was buried on the Baylor University campus following his death on December 10th, 1873. This reflected the bachelor attorney's singular devotion to the institution that he, in partnership with William M. Tryon, worked tirelessly to found, to nurture, and to serve as a trustee and professor. Young Robert Baylor fought in several key battles of the War of 1812. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Kentucky and Alabama.
Robert Baylor emigrated to Texas in 1839. He preached in Baptist churches in the area around LaGrange and was instrumental in organizing the Union Baptist Association. He was elected district judge, and concurrently served on the Supreme Court of the Republic of Texas until 1846, when Texas was admitted to the Union.
As a member of the Texas Baptist Education Society, Judge Baylor utilized his political skills in bringing to success the efforts to establish a Baptist university in the frontier republic. His main collaborator, William M. Tryon, insisted that the university be named in the judge's honor over his protests.
Judge Baylor was named as a charter trustee of Baylor University in February 1845. He continuously served on the board until his death. In addition, Judge Baylor served on the faculty without pay and lectured on law during every session this program was offered.
The single surviving photograph of his grave depicts a crude headstone surrounded by a cast iron fence, located on the east slope of Windmill Hill. In the early 1920s, his remains were moved to the campus of Baylor College (now the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor) at Belton.
Captions
Portrait of Judge Baylor (BUI Project photograph)
Single surviving photograph of Judge Baylor's grave site (BUI Project photograph)
Erected by Baylor University.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Education. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1845.
Location. 30° 18.951′ N, 96° 20.72′ W. Marker is in Independence, Texas, in Washington County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Farm to Market Road 50 and Hood Hotel Road. The marker is located on the southeast corner of Baylor Park on Windmill Hill. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Brenham TX 77833, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Robert Emmett Bledsoe Baylor (here, next to this marker); Houston Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); College Well: of Windmill Hill (within shouting distance of this marker); Bell Tower (within shouting distance of this marker); Windmill Hill (within shouting distance of this marker); In Recognition of the Land Donations to Baylor (within shouting distance of this marker); Baylor's Survival— (within shouting distance of this marker); Baylor University Campus on Windmill Hill: (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Independence.
Also see . . . Robert Emmett Bledsoe Baylor (1793–1873). R.E.B. Baylor, lawyer, college founder, and Baptist leader, was born in Lincoln County, Kentucky, on May 10, 1793, the son of Walker and Jane (Bledsoe) Baylor. His father had been a captain in the Continental Army during the American Revolution, in a company of dragoons that often assisted George Washington. Baylor received his formal education at a country school and at academies around Paris, Kentucky. Source: The Handbook of Texas (Submitted on January 5, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 6, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 5, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 239 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 6, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.