I took a little trip this week to South Central Texas to visit some of my ancestors’ graves (genealogy being my second passion, after doll making!). My first stop was Amphion Cemetery, 4 miles outside of Poteet.
Amphion, thought to have been named after a figure from Greek mythology, was located within the 17,000 acre ranch of Jose Antonio Navarro, a prominent local rancher and signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence. Amphion was at one time a thriving community with several general stores, a hotel, a post office, blacksmith shop, cotton gin, churches and school. When railroad lines were built that bypassed Amphion, business activity declined and the community eventually dissolved. Virtually all that remains of the former town is this cemetery.
My great grandmother, and her parents (and other family members) are buried here.
My next stop was Oak Island Cemetery.
The Oak Island Methodist Church was established here by circuit rider John Wesley DeVilbiss, during the time of the Republic of Texas.
My great great grandparents, great great great grandparents and 4X great grandmother are buried here with other family members. My 4X great grandmother has a plaque on her headstone that reads “Citizen of the Republic of Texas”. How cool is that?
