Near Blessing in Matagorda County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Grimes Cemetery
Photographed by James Hulse, March 11, 2021
1. Grimes Cemetery Marker
Cattleman Richard Grimes (1789-1858) established this family cemetery in 1856 when his infant grandson died. Grimes was born in Rocky Hill, Connecticut, and from a young age he pursued a seafaring career. In 1837, Captain Grimes came to Texas in his brig, The Driver, and settled at Palacios Point on Matagorda Bay where he continued in the shipping trade. In 1843 he entered the cattle business with his son William Bradford Grimes (1825-1904), and they established the WBG Ranch here. This early Texas ranch employed a number of cowboys who would later become well known, including Charles Angelo Siringo and Abel Head (Shanghai) Pierce. After the Civil War, several major cattle drives to Dodge City and Abilene, Kansas started from this ranch, continuing annually through the 1870s.
After Captain Grimes died, William continued to ranch here until his wife's death in 1876, when he moved to Kansas City, Missouri. There he became a successful financier, banker and businessman. In 1881, he gave the WBG Ranch to his eldest daughter, Fannie Louise (1860-1888), upon her marriage to Thomas Jefferson Poole. Her son, Thomas Jefferson Poole, Jr. (1883-1969), inherited the ranch from her and continued ranching until his death. He was a director of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association for many years, and upon his death, Poole was honored by the Texas State Legislature for his achievements as a cattleman, today, this burial ground continues to be an active cemetery.
Historic Texas Cemetery - 2007
Erected 2007 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 15652.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical year for this entry is 1856.
Location. 28° 51.64′ N, 96° 9.661′ W. Marker is near Blessing, Texas, in Matagorda County. It is on River
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the American South and on the Gulf Coast. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Ashby-Wilson Creek Community (approx. 2.7 miles away); Old Hawley Cemetery (approx. 2.8 miles away); William Walter Pudge Heffelfinger (approx. 2.8 miles away); Abel Head "Shanghai" Pierce (approx. 2.8 miles away); Hawley Cemetery (approx. 2.8 miles away); Demings Bridge Community (approx. 2.9 miles away); Masonic Lodge #411 (approx. 3.6 miles away); St. Peters Catholic Church (approx. 3.6 miles away).
Photographed by James Hulse, March 11, 2021
2. The entrance to the Grimes Cemetery and the Marker
Photographed by James Hulse, March 11, 2021
3. Follow a short dirt road toward the north to access the Grimes Cemetery
Photographed by James Hulse, March 11, 2021
4. The gravestone of Captain Richard Grimes
Credits. This page was last revised on March 21, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 21, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 874 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 21, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
