The Grave of Williamson Simpson Oldham
in the Masonic Cemetery in Eagle Lake, Texas
Inscribed as below
W. S. OLDHAM
BORN
JUNE 19, 1813
DIED
MAY 8, 1868
HE WAS DISTINGUISHED AS
A LAWYER, ORATOR AND
STATESMAN. HE HELD MANY
OFFICES OF PUBLIC TRUST
LEAVING NO SHADOW ON HIS
NAME. HE WAS AN ARDENT
SUPPORTER OF THE LOST CAUSE
A MEMBER OF THE SECESSION
CONVENTION OF TEXAS AND OF
THE CONFEDERATE STATES
SENATE. LAST AND GREATEST
A BELIEVER IN THE CHRISTIAN
RELIGION AND WE TRUST HIS SOUL
TO THE GOD WHO RULES OVER
NATIONS YET SEES A SPARROW
FALL.
From the newspaper The Two Republics, English language newspaper published in Mexico City. Saturday, June 13 1868
Death of Judge Oldham
Judge W. S. Oldham, one of Texas' ablest, most devoted and
distinguished sons, died in Houston, on the 8th inst., after an illness
of about three weeks. The deep respect felt for his character, and the
extent of the loss sustained by the community in his death, were made
signally manifest when it became known that he was no more. There was
a meeting of the citizens, presided over by ex-Gov. Lublook, and also a
meeting of the bar, at both of which assemblies fitting resolutions
were adopted. The deceased was buried on the 9th, in the Masonic
Cemetery, with the service of the Episcopal Church and the rites of
Masonry.
from NEW ORLEANS PICAYUNE
Note from David Williamson: As
stated in the newspaper article dated June 13, 1868, W. S. Oldham was
buried in the Masonic Cemetery in Houston, Texas. The development of
Houston required that cemetery to be closed. His body was then
re interred in the Masonic Cemetery in Eagle Lake, Texas where his son and one of his
daughters were buried. The "Handbook of Texas" has the incorrect information
that his body was moved to Brookside Cemetery near Humble, Texas. This
was never true, but evidently got into their information because many
others from the Houston Masonic Cemetery were moved to Brookside. All
my attempts to get the "Handbook" article corrected have been to no
avail.
NOTE: The article in the
"Handbook of Texas" has finally been corrected, even though I was never
contacted or notified. Thank you. dw
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