Corpus Christi in Nueces County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Matthew Nolan

Photographed by James Hulse, September 1, 2021

1. Matthew Nolan Marker

Inscription. After the death of their parents, Mary Nolan arrived in Corpus Christi in 1845 at the age of sixteen along with her two brothers, Matt, eleven, and Tom, nine. Mary became a nurse in the United States Army, allowing Matt to serve as a bugler and Tom as a drummer boy. The siblings were attached to the 2nd Dragoons throughout the Mexican-American War in all major engagements from Palo Alto to Mexico City. After the war, the three returned to Corpus Christi where Mary, shortly after, married a soldier and moved to Galveston. In 1850, Matt joined the Texas Rangers under "Rip" Ford. While still connected with the Rangers, Matt became Sheriff of Nueces County in 1858. Tragedy struck in August 1860, when Tom, Matt's deputy, died of a gunshot wound he suffered while making an arrest.

On September 14, 1861, at Fort Brown in Brownsville, Matt mustered into the 2nd Regiment Texas Mounted Cavalry commanded by "Rip" Ford. Nolan returned to Corpus Christi in May of 1862, to marry Margaret McMahan. Soon after, Nolan headed east for Galveston and participated in the capture of the Federal vessel Morning Light. Following the Union capture of Fort Semmes which guarded Aransas Pass, Nolan commanded one of two companies stationed outside of Corpus Christi. In 1864, now a major in the Confederate Army, Nolan entered a second stint as Nueces

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County Sheriff. While he was escorting John C. McDonald, brothers Frank and Charles Gravis murdered Nolan and McDonald in broad daylight on December 22, 1864. Matthew Nolan played a conspicuous role in Texas during turbulent years and is buried here at Old Bayview Cemetery next to his beloved brother.

Erected 2018 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 18943.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Law Enforcement • War, Mexican-American • War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1862.

Location. 27° 48.058′ N, 97° 23.975′ W. Marker is in Corpus Christi, Texas, in Nueces County. It can be reached from the intersection of Ramirez Street and Padre Street. The marker is located in the west section of the Old Bayview Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1150 Ramirez Street, Corpus Christi TX 78401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: James Downing (a few steps from this marker); William DeRyee (a few steps from this marker); Tito P. Rivera (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Bayview Mesquite (within shouting distance of this marker); Eli Todd Merriman (within shouting distance

Brother’s gravestones - Matthew Nolan (left) and Tom Nolan (right) and Matthew’s marker above image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 1, 2021

2. Brother’s gravestones - Matthew Nolan (left) and Tom Nolan (right) and Matthew’s marker above

of this marker); Thomas S. Parker (within shouting distance of this marker); John Dix (within shouting distance of this marker); Reuben Holbein (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Corpus Christi.

Also see . . . Nolan, Matthew.

His job was to arrest, "perfidious renegades." One of these "renegades," former sheriff H. W. Barry, was a Mexican War veteran who was providing cotton to Union ships in the Gulf of Mexico. Nolan reported to Ford that he had seen Barry in action. By December 1864 Corpus Christi was suffering the effects of war, and tensions ran high. On the night of December 22, 1864, Nolan and horse trader J. C. McDonald met outside of the Nolan home, and while they talked, two of Barry's stepsons, Frank and Charles Gravis, appeared and started an argument with Nolan. In the commotion that ensued, one of the Gravis brothers shot and fatally wounded Nolan. Other sources claim that Nolan was in the process of arresting McDonald, and the two brothers, intending to kill McDonald for seducing their sister, accidentally shot Nolan instead. Source: The Handbook of Texas

(Submitted on October 2, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The view of the Matthew Nolan Marker and the brothers gravestones image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 1, 2021

3. The view of the Matthew Nolan Marker and the brothers gravestones

Credits. This page was last revised on October 3, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 2, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 412 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 3, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.