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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The Sand Flat Cemetery in Henderson County has been |
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recognized with a Historic Texas Cemetery marker from the Texas |
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Historical Commission; and |
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WHEREAS, In 1856, pioneer Joseph M. Stirman donated land in |
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the Sand Flat community northwest of Athens for a church and school |
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to serve all residents, regardless of race or religion; two acres |
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were set aside as a graveyard for African Americans, and the first |
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burial was recorded in 1884, when Clarissa Andrews Royal was laid to |
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rest; her husband, Abraham Royal, and a number of their descendants |
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were interred nearby in later years; and |
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WHEREAS, Other prominent settlers buried in the Sand Flat |
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Cemetery include Henry Givens and Joseph Manion; believed to have |
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been brought to Henderson County as slaves in 1855, both men became |
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farmers, and like Abraham Royal, they were registered on the Black |
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Voters List; Mr. Givens further served as a school trustee in the |
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early years of the community; and |
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WHEREAS, In time, the graveyard became the final resting |
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place for many education professionals and for veterans of the two |
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World Wars, the Korean Conflict, and the Vietnam War; today, |
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descendants of the settlers provide much of the care for the site; |
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the current officers of the Cemetery Association are president |
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George Jones, vice president Earl Brown, treasurer Ivory Joe |
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Givens, secretary Kim Allen, and board member Edward Johnson; and |
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WHEREAS, The preservation of Sand Flat Cemetery reflects a |
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profound respect for the contributions of those who helped build |
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the community in the 19th and 20th centuries, and the receipt of |
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this prestigious honor from the Texas Historical Commission will |
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allow visitors to gain a greater appreciation for the rich heritage |
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of this locality; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas |
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Legislature hereby commemorate the dedication of a Historic Texas |
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Cemetery marker at Sand Flat Cemetery and commend all those |
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associated with the care of the site and with the effort to secure |
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this award; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the Sand Flat Cemetery Association as an expression of |
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high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. |