The following Bio was copied from the memorial to Mr. Blake on the Texas State Cemetery Find a Grave page. In talking with the Plantersville Cemetery Associate, I learned that Mr. Blake is still buried in Plantersville. A portion of the soil covering his grave was transfered to Austin. He is one of many Texas Heros with duel burial sites. SM
BLAKE, THOMAS WALTER
(1822 ~ 1905)
Thomas Walter Blake, soldier, lawyer and preacher in early Texas, was born June 6, 1822, in Fayetteville, North Carolina. He graduated from Randolph Macon College in Virginia in 1842, and, after being licensed by the Supreme Court of North Carolina in 1843, set off for the Republic of Texas. In 1847, after roaming around Texas for three years, Blake married the former Mary Benigna Durst, the first Caucasian woman born in Texas. Later that year, he helped create the first District Court in northeast Texas, where he served as its state attorney. In 1848, Blake moved to Leon County, Texas, near modern day Centerville. Ten years later, he closed his law practice, after working with such notables as Sam Houston and Robert "Three-Legged Willie" Williamson to become a preacher. He served as a circuit rider, traveling and preaching to thirteen churches in Leon County. In 1861, Blake enlisted in the Confederate Army. He was given command of the 17th Texas Brigade and was charged with defending Fort Lubbock from invasion. He resigned his commission in 1863 to continue his religious works. He died January 14, 1905 in Plantersville, Texas.
Headstone Text: Brigadier General, Thomas Walter Blake,
Born June 6, 1822, Fayetteville, N.C., Died January 14, 1905, Plantersville, Texas, Pioneer Texas lawyer, soldier and preacher who served in bringing law, order and religion to the Lone Star Republic and people of Texas
Frontier Lawyer 1845, Began law practice and married
Benigna Durst in Old Stone Fort Nacogdoches. Eminent attorney in Leon County and Plantersville. As early state's attorney, brought law and order to Texas. Circuit
Rider 1857 founded First Methodist Church of Plantersville.
For half a century as circuit rider and preacher, covered
many wilderness settlements by horseback, bringing medicine, religion and law to whites, blacks and Indians.
Soldier Major and Colonel of militia in times of Indian trouble. Brigadier General under Magruder during the Confederate War. Commanded 17th Texas Brigade at Camps Anderson and Lubbock. Missionary to Tom Green's and
Major's Brigades.
Source: http://www.cemetery.state.tx.us/pub/user_form22.asp
BLAKE, THOMAS WALTER
(1822 ~ 1905)
Thomas Walter Blake, soldier, lawyer and preacher in early Texas, was born June 6, 1822, in Fayetteville, North Carolina. He graduated from Randolph Macon College in Virginia in 1842, and, after being licensed by the Supreme Court of North Carolina in 1843, set off for the Republic of Texas. In 1847, after roaming around Texas for three years, Blake married the former Mary Benigna Durst, the first Caucasian woman born in Texas. Later that year, he helped create the first District Court in northeast Texas, where he served as its state attorney. In 1848, Blake moved to Leon County, Texas, near modern day Centerville. Ten years later, he closed his law practice, after working with such notables as Sam Houston and Robert "Three-Legged Willie" Williamson to become a preacher. He served as a circuit rider, traveling and preaching to thirteen churches in Leon County. In 1861, Blake enlisted in the Confederate Army. He was given command of the 17th Texas Brigade and was charged with defending Fort Lubbock from invasion. He resigned his commission in 1863 to continue his religious works. He died January 14, 1905 in Plantersville, Texas.
Headstone Text: Brigadier General, Thomas Walter Blake,
Born June 6, 1822, Fayetteville, N.C., Died January 14, 1905, Plantersville, Texas, Pioneer Texas lawyer, soldier and preacher who served in bringing law, order and religion to the Lone Star Republic and people of Texas
Frontier Lawyer 1845, Began law practice and married
Benigna Durst in Old Stone Fort Nacogdoches. Eminent attorney in Leon County and Plantersville. As early state's attorney, brought law and order to Texas. Circuit
Rider 1857 founded First Methodist Church of Plantersville.
For half a century as circuit rider and preacher, covered
many wilderness settlements by horseback, bringing medicine, religion and law to whites, blacks and Indians.
Soldier Major and Colonel of militia in times of Indian trouble. Brigadier General under Magruder during the Confederate War. Commanded 17th Texas Brigade at Camps Anderson and Lubbock. Missionary to Tom Green's and
Major's Brigades.
Source: http://www.cemetery.state.tx.us/pub/user_form22.asp
The following Bio was copied from the memorial to Mr. Blake on the Texas State Cemetery Find a Grave page. In talking with the Plantersville Cemetery Associate, I learned that Mr. Blake is still buried in Plantersville. A portion of the soil covering his grave was transfered to Austin. He is one of many Texas Heros with duel burial sites. SM
BLAKE, THOMAS WALTER
(1822 ~ 1905)
Thomas Walter Blake, soldier, lawyer and preacher in early Texas, was born June 6, 1822, in Fayetteville, North Carolina. He graduated from Randolph Macon College in Virginia in 1842, and, after being licensed by the Supreme Court of North Carolina in 1843, set off for the Republic of Texas. In 1847, after roaming around Texas for three years, Blake married the former Mary Benigna Durst, the first Caucasian woman born in Texas. Later that year, he helped create the first District Court in northeast Texas, where he served as its state attorney. In 1848, Blake moved to Leon County, Texas, near modern day Centerville. Ten years later, he closed his law practice, after working with such notables as Sam Houston and Robert "Three-Legged Willie" Williamson to become a preacher. He served as a circuit rider, traveling and preaching to thirteen churches in Leon County. In 1861, Blake enlisted in the Confederate Army. He was given command of the 17th Texas Brigade and was charged with defending Fort Lubbock from invasion. He resigned his commission in 1863 to continue his religious works. He died January 14, 1905 in Plantersville, Texas.
Headstone Text: Brigadier General, Thomas Walter Blake,
Born June 6, 1822, Fayetteville, N.C., Died January 14, 1905, Plantersville, Texas, Pioneer Texas lawyer, soldier and preacher who served in bringing law, order and religion to the Lone Star Republic and people of Texas
Frontier Lawyer 1845, Began law practice and married
Benigna Durst in Old Stone Fort Nacogdoches. Eminent attorney in Leon County and Plantersville. As early state's attorney, brought law and order to Texas. Circuit
Rider 1857 founded First Methodist Church of Plantersville.
For half a century as circuit rider and preacher, covered
many wilderness settlements by horseback, bringing medicine, religion and law to whites, blacks and Indians.
Soldier Major and Colonel of militia in times of Indian trouble. Brigadier General under Magruder during the Confederate War. Commanded 17th Texas Brigade at Camps Anderson and Lubbock. Missionary to Tom Green's and
Major's Brigades.
Source: http://www.cemetery.state.tx.us/pub/user_form22.asp
BLAKE, THOMAS WALTER
(1822 ~ 1905)
Thomas Walter Blake, soldier, lawyer and preacher in early Texas, was born June 6, 1822, in Fayetteville, North Carolina. He graduated from Randolph Macon College in Virginia in 1842, and, after being licensed by the Supreme Court of North Carolina in 1843, set off for the Republic of Texas. In 1847, after roaming around Texas for three years, Blake married the former Mary Benigna Durst, the first Caucasian woman born in Texas. Later that year, he helped create the first District Court in northeast Texas, where he served as its state attorney. In 1848, Blake moved to Leon County, Texas, near modern day Centerville. Ten years later, he closed his law practice, after working with such notables as Sam Houston and Robert "Three-Legged Willie" Williamson to become a preacher. He served as a circuit rider, traveling and preaching to thirteen churches in Leon County. In 1861, Blake enlisted in the Confederate Army. He was given command of the 17th Texas Brigade and was charged with defending Fort Lubbock from invasion. He resigned his commission in 1863 to continue his religious works. He died January 14, 1905 in Plantersville, Texas.
Headstone Text: Brigadier General, Thomas Walter Blake,
Born June 6, 1822, Fayetteville, N.C., Died January 14, 1905, Plantersville, Texas, Pioneer Texas lawyer, soldier and preacher who served in bringing law, order and religion to the Lone Star Republic and people of Texas
Frontier Lawyer 1845, Began law practice and married
Benigna Durst in Old Stone Fort Nacogdoches. Eminent attorney in Leon County and Plantersville. As early state's attorney, brought law and order to Texas. Circuit
Rider 1857 founded First Methodist Church of Plantersville.
For half a century as circuit rider and preacher, covered
many wilderness settlements by horseback, bringing medicine, religion and law to whites, blacks and Indians.
Soldier Major and Colonel of militia in times of Indian trouble. Brigadier General under Magruder during the Confederate War. Commanded 17th Texas Brigade at Camps Anderson and Lubbock. Missionary to Tom Green's and
Major's Brigades.
Source: http://www.cemetery.state.tx.us/pub/user_form22.asp
Bio by: Sandra Bertram Meier
Inscription
17th Brigade, Texas State Troops, Confederate States Army
Gravesite Details
This is Gen Blake's original grave. There is also a marker in the State Cemetery in Austin, Texas.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
