Near La Vernia in Wilson County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Polley Cemetery
Photographed By James Hulse, February 21, 2021
1. Polley Cemetery Marker
Joseph Henry Polley (1795-1869) was born in Whitehall, New York to Jonathan and Rachel Hubbard Polley. He later moved to Missouri, where he was a friend of Moses Austin, with whom he traveled to Texas in 1820. The next year, he returned to Texas with Stephen F. Austin as one of the original "Old 300" colonists. Polley settled in the Brazoria District and wed Mary Augusta Bailey, daughter of pioneer Brit Bailey. The couple built a home that they named Whitehall. Polley served as sheriff and assisted retreating settlers during the Runaway Scrape, 1836; Mary helped mold candles for use by the first Texas Congress.
Polley moved his family in 1847 to this area, then a part of Guadalupe County. The family established a cemetery as this site in 1848, when Emeline Elizabeth Polley James, one of the eleven Polley children, died while giving birth. Two years later, her daughter of the same name was interred next to her.
The family completed the Whitehall home about 1850. Over the years, several family members, including Joseph Henry Polley, were laid to rest in the cemetery. Mary Bailey Polley (d. 1888), the family matriarch, was the last to be buried here.
Historic Texas Cemetery - 2005
Erected 2005 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 13806.)
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical year for this entry is 1820.
Location. 29° 19.103′ N, 98° 3.48′ W. Marker is near La Vernia, Texas, in Wilson County. Marker is on Farm to Market Road 539, ¼ mile south of Polly Lane, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: La Vernia TX 78121, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Whitehall (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Linne Oil Field (approx. 0.4 miles away); Barker-Huebinger Homestead (approx. 1.7 miles away); Pat Higgins Grass Farm (approx. 2.2 miles away); Bridge at McAlister Crossing (approx. 2½ miles away); Sutherland Springs School Site (approx. 3 miles away); Sutherland Springs (approx. 3.1 miles away); Rector Chapel Cemetery (approx. 3½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in La Vernia.
Also see . . . Polley, Joseph Henry (1795–1869).
Joseph Henry Polley, rancher, son of Jonathan Polley, was born in Whitehall, Washington County, New York, on December 28, 1795. He joined Capt. Samuel Brown's company of New York militia as a teamster in the War of 1812, then moved to Missouri. He traveled with Moses Austin to Texas in 1820(Submitted on February 27, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)and, as a member of Stephen F. Austin's expedition the following year, settled on a headright in the Brazoria District. Source: The Handbook of TexasPhotographed By James Hulse, February 21, 20212. The entrance to the Polley Cemetery
Photographed By James Hulse, February 21, 2021
3. The Polley Cemetery grounds
Photographed By James Hulse, February 21, 2021
4. The view of the Polley Cemetery from the road
Photographed By James Hulse, February 21, 2021
5. Whitehall - Polley Mansion
Whitehall is across the road from the Polley Cemetery.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 28, 2021. It was originally submitted on February 27, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 172 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 27, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
