Milam County Historical Commission
Milam County, Texas
Milam County, Texas
Requests for Info
Received via Website
Received via Website
2015-05-29
Kay Day
kayday(AT)swbell(DOT)net
25934 Goldfinch Trail
San Antonio, TX 78255
two10-6nine8-2seven29
I visited the Old City Cemetery in Rockdale several weeks ago. I finally found my great-grandfather's grave.
He is Dr. Daniel S. Page. His footstone was laying next to his headstone. I am interested in having the
tombstone cleaned and straightened (restored). I also want to have his gravesite marked as a Confederate
Soldier in Texas. He was a surgeon in the Civil War.
Would you please give me the person I need to speak with to get this project done. I also thought his wife,
Sarah Jane Payne Page was also buried in this cemetery, but no record was found.
Thanks,
Kay Day
*****
CORRECTED:
2015-05-30
Ms Day,
Please disregard my previous email (deleted). I had errors in my original email to you concerning Page vs
Payne.
When I mentioned D. S. Payne I actually meant D. S. Page.
The info shown in the comments section of the listing for D. S. Page in Old City Cemetery reads: "h/o Emily,
doctor, born in La. 1821-1893.
I find no Emily Page listed. Nor do I find a Sarah Page. So I looked for Sarah Payne. I do find a Sarah Payne in
the "Burials: Unknown Sites" section with these notes:
"Death R., Cam. Area, 73 y, died 1903".
I apologise for this error.
Hopefully you will be hearing from others with more information concerning the tombstone.
Jerry Caywood
Website Administrator - MCHC
(2015-05-30 - corrected email forwarded to MCHC & MCGS)
*****
2015-05-31
Thank you for your response. Page and Payne are confusing sometimes, no problem. I look at both names.
Yes, I have the Cemetery Books and I saw D.S. Page. This is my great-grandfather. I did notice under Info."h/o
Emily, born in LA 1821-1893. The tombstone states he was born in St. Helena Parish, LA., but no mention of any
name of Emily. So, I am wondering where this info. came from.
When I was in Cameron, I went through the Deed Records and did find two deeds dealing with D.S. Page and Sarah
J. Page exchanging property from Lampasas to two lots in Rockdale. I then found where D.S. Page deeded over
these lots in Rockdale to Sarah J. Page. My theory is that he was dying (72 yrs. old) and gave these lots and
Home to Sarah. Also, the obituary states that "D.S. Page died at home in Rockdale".
Yes, I saw where Sarah Payne had died in the Cameron area. Maybe she was buried with her maiden name. I looked
for divorce records also in Cameron and did not find any. The fact is: this is D.S. Page's third wife. I know
he divorced my great grandmother in Bee Co. around 1870. The story goes that he moved out West, married, and had
several more children. D.S. and Sarah married in 1871 in Henderson Co., TX. It is possible that they had
children since Sarah was 32 yrs. old when they married. I have yet to find any children.
I also noticed from the cemetery book that there are numerous Payne's in the area buried, so maybe these could
be children. No proof yet.
Also, I wondered who inherited the lots in Rockdale after Sarah died?
I hope I am not boring you with this info. Thanks for all your help. I still would like to get his gravesite
restored and a CSA marker erected.
Kay Day
*****
2015-06-01
Ms. Day,
We currently have a cemetery improvement project, in progress, at the Old City-Rockdale Cemetery. Improvements
are being made as the volunteers have time. We have also had Community workdays, one being held just this past
month on an Earth Day observance (April 22nd).
Also see attachment # 3 .
If you'll note the above link, and then recall your cemetery visit, you will realize that we have made
significant improvements to the cemetery. A considerable amount of improvement still remains to be accomplished
as you have surely noticed. During Earth Day, over 20 headstones were re-leveled and many headstones were
cleaned by our local Rockdale students and community volunteers. Even two of our wonderful Girl Scout troops
contributed by pruning, raking and making general landscape improvements. We had to be quite selective on which
headstones were leveled, for safety reasons.
I'm familiar with Dr. Page's headstone, and his was not a candidate for the students to address. His is a
"stacked" type marker with a base, sub-base and die. Each of these sections were initially mortared together and
usually have a 5/8" or larger steel dowel pin for alignment. What we generally find is that the mortar has long
since failed and many times the dowel pin has rusted away. Remember, that it has been 122 years since Mr. Page's
headstone was placed.
I'm sure that you had noted other similar headstones in Old City, that we have yet to address, that have failed
and toppled.
With your permission, I would be happy to prepare a new stabilized base, up to 6" deeper than the existing one
(added depth makes the entire marker more stable), epoxy sections as necessary, and clean the marker with an
approved D2 headstone cleaner. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEVzUo26ANY
This would be performed at no expense to you and completed within approximately one month. Multiple applications
of D2 are required, and since the cleaner continues to work over time, it may take three or four months for it
to be presentably clean.
As to having Dr. Page's gravesite marked as a Confederate Soldier in Texas: I have seen numerous adornments that
would delineate that. As far as I know, that also would be your responsibility to furnish.
If you are suggesting a CSA Veterans headstone, the Veterans Administration may very well accommodate you.
Please see attachment # 4 and 5.
Attachment # 5 lists a significant amount of required documentation, but if you're willing to do the research
(if you already haven't) and wouldn't mind spending approximately $100, you might be able to obtain one. My
recent experience with a Korean War Veteran was that his headstone was shipped to a local funeral home with a
charge for delivery to the site and placement. I just wanted to make you aware of a possible additional expense.
The upside here is that the CSA markers are generally consistent and more unique than other headstones and I
personally find that they stand out more prominently in a cemetery. Should you be considering this
conditionally, we would be wasting our time, effort and material on the old headstone to just be replaced with a
new CSA headstone.
Possibly you might also consider the flat footstone type, possibly adorned with the Southern Cross of Honor and
placing it at the foot of the grave and leaving the existing headstone (this is quite popular in a number of
Rockdale's cemeteries). This allows the history, heritage and character of the original marker to remain yet
still depict a CSA veteran plot.
Should you prefer a professional monument company complete the restoration of Dr. Page's headstone, I would
recommend Rockdale Memorial Company. They may be contacted at (512) 446-5033.
In an ideal world, this is a historic cemetery (1874) and should be restored to as near as original as possible.
That being said, we have taken the liberty, at the request of the Rockdale Public Works Department and with the
approval of the Rockdale Cemetery Committee, to relocate dislodged footstones, such as Dr. Page's, to the
backside of the headstone with the initials facing out. The Public Works Department's issue is that when the
grass gets very high, it conceals the short footstones and they are struck by the mowing equipment causing major
damage and expense to equipment and sometimes injury to the operator.
Many cemetery's forbid footstones for this very reason. We have not moved any footstones except when the
footstones are found dislodged or strewn.
According to the Rockdale City Cemetery guidelines (like most other non-perpetual care cemeteries), the
individual or family plots, headstones, footstones, fencing and any other adornments, are the property of the
departed's family. It is also their responsibility for all maintenance of the gravesite. This is where our
community volunteers have offered their assistance. Many descendants are no longer in the community, are of
limited financial means or are limited due to age or infirmary. And some just plain don't take an interest in
maintaining their family members plots.
You stated that you would like to have Dr. Page's gravesite marked as a Confederate Soldier in Texas. I have
seen numerous adornments that would be able to delineate that. I believe that would also be your responsibility
to furnish, to the best of my knowledge. You might want to research that further since I am no authority on the
subject. If you are suggesting a CSA Veterans headstone, the Veterans Administration may very well accommodate
you. Please see attachments # 4 and 5. Attachment # 5 lists a significant amount of required documentation
material, but if you're willing to do the research and wouldn't mind spending approx. $ 100, you might be able
to score one. My past recent experience with a Korean War Veteran, noted that his headstone was shipped to a
local funeral home with a charge for delivery to the site and placement. I imagine that these rates may vary. I
just wanted to make you aware of an additional expense in that regard.
The upside here is that the CSA markers are generally consistent and more unique than other headstones and I
personally find that they stand out more prominently in a cemetery. Should you be considering this, we would be
wasting our time, effort and material on the old headstone to just be replaced with a new CSA headstone.
Possibly you might also consider the flat footstone type, possibly adorned with the Southern Cross of Honor and
placing it at the foot of the grave and leaving the existing headstone (this is quite popular in a number of
Rockdale's cemeteries). This allows the history, heritage and character of the original marker to remain yet
still depict a CSA veteran plot.
Have you also noticed that his middle name is a topic of considerable debate among family members and others?
It's either Spiller, Spencer or Sidney, depending on who you ask.
Attachment # 5, in most probability, is completely unrelated to Sarah J. Page, but I did note it in the
reference stated on attachment # 5. The only other remaining suggestion that I might have regarding Sarah, is
to research the Rockdale Reporter and Cameron Herald Newspapers micro-tape archives in the Lucy Hill Patterson
Library in Rockdale for her obituary. I just sent an email to Norinne Holman, a friend and writer of 170
Years of Cemetery Records in Milam County, Texas, to see if she might have notes, or a reference, on her remark
about Emily being Dr. Page's wife. That just might bring us up to wife number four.
Ms. Day, please let me know what you decide. The Old City Cemetery-Rockdale volunteers are here to assist you in
any way possible. Respectfully. Jack Brooks
Have you also noticed that his middle name is a topic of considerable debate among family members and others?.
It's either Spiller, Spencer or Sidney, depending on who you ask. Attachment # 5 is probably completely
unrelated to Sarah J. Page, but I did note it in the reference stated on attachment # 5.
The only other remaining suggestion that I might have regarding Sarah, is to research the Rockdale Reporter and
Cameron Herald Newspapers micro-tape archives in the Lucy Hill Patterson Library in Rockdale for her obituary.
I just sent an email to Norinne Holman, a friend and writer of 170 Years of Cemetery Records in Milam County,
Texas, to see if she might have notes, or a reference, on her remark about Emily being Dr. Page's wife. That
just might bring us up to wife number four.
Ms. Day, please let me know what you decide. The Old City Cemetery - Rockdale volunteers are here to assist you
in any way possible.
I'd also like to highlight Dr. Page's CSA service. For the benefit of the reader, I made a brief search of the
Ancestry website and found attachments # 1 and 2. (All credit goes to Ancestry for this information)
Respectfully. Jack Brooks
MORE BELOW...
.
.
Mr. Brooks:
Thank you so much for responding to my email with great detail.
First: I am checking into getting the CSA marker for Dr. D. S. Page. I will get a flat stone because I do not
want to remove the original gravestone. This can be put beside his original stone. I printed off the
application online and I have to have a person and place that will accept the stone when done because it is
sent to them, not me. Also, the application has to be signed by the person accepting the stone. So will need
your help on this.
I also have copies of the two index cards on D.S. Page's CSA info. But I do not know if I have all the info in
Austin (complete file and pension records, if any). Sent an email to my friend in Austin to see if there are
more records. So, I am working on this part. I have wondered where this surgeon's certificate is and if he
truly had one. His second wife, Caroline was a mid-wife and Daniel was Sheriff of Bee Co. I never heard he
was a doctor!!! Kinda surprised me when I read this on the index cards (CSA). Nothing surprises me with this
man.
Second, yes, you do have my permission to change the base and make it more stable. I appreciate the
restoration also.
I am in several historical and genealogical societies around San Antonio. At one time, on the board and
Cemetery Chairman of the Coastal Bend Genealogical Society in Corpus Christi. Have copied, cleaned and
recorded many cemeteries in that area. I know how much hard work it takes to take on this project that your
historical association is doing. I love volunteers. I will be sending you a check for you to do with as you
want (i.e. cleaning solution, drinks for volunteers (water) or whatever you need. I want you to know I
appreciate all the help you are giving me.
Now, about D.S. Page --- it never ceases to amaze me of what I am finding out about this man. Another wife,
very probability yes. I do not know what happened to his first wife, but know he divorced Caroline S. Page
(2nd wife). I could not find any divorce records in Cameron. You were probably looking at my website on
Ancestry.com. I am the one who put in there about Daniel's middle name and the confusion (Spillar(s), Spencer,
or Sidney. Am glad you noticed. Will try to explain. My great Aunt Lu had the Page family bible (which I have
a copy). The notification of their married lists Daniel (Spillar(s) or Spencer) Page who married Caroline.
Then a few years back, I heard from a young lady that said her father was named after Daniel and I was wrong
and the name is Sidney. Now, as a genealogist, I would take the family bible record before hear say. I have
never found any record, so far, as to what the name really is. I put all three names on my website to see if I
heard from anyone else, which I have not. I am leaning toward Spillar(s) because I have checked into some of
the records online for St. Helena Parish, LA. There was two Page families (one a widow), but neighbors were
Spillar. Just need to make a trip to LA to dig through the courthouses. Now, you know the rest of the story.
I do quite a bit of genealogy and have written one book on one side of my family. Will be anxious to find out
if Mrs. Holman knows about Emily. Another wife to my chapter. Daniel led a very colorful life and intrigues
me to find out more. I still do not understand how he ended up in Milam Co. and why. Unless he was selling
his "healing potions". I have a newspaper article out of Lampasas with him meeting with another doctor
discussing the remarkable healing with this potion. I saw on your website about Dr.'s in the area so I know he
was not practicing regular Dr. services. I also wondered if he died with tuberculosis like Sarah, which would
explain him giving the land to her before he died a year later.
Also, is there a city map of 1890? I would like to see where his two lots were. We drove around the town and
spent a night there and had a wonderful dinner.
Again, thank you for your time and your help.
Kay Day
*****
2015-06-02
Ms. Day,
Mr. Paul Luckey and family own the Rockdale Memorial Company that I previously referenced. Paul is also a
member of the Rockdale Cemetery Committee, as well as a good friend. He has spent many hours of his business's
time voluntarily repairing the larger headstones and even a 12 foot obelisk in Old City Cemetery. If you would
call or email his family business and mention that you talked with me, I'm sure that they would be happy to
accommodate the delivery of Dr. Page's headstone. They are very community oriented and are highly respected.
Their website follows; (and address) http://www.rockdalememorial.com/
I will be out of town for a short time, but I would be happy to see that the repairs to Dr. Page's headstone
are completed as mentioned. Since you visited a few weeks ago, I'm not sure if the wrought iron gazebo had been
placed or not. If not, you probably saw the circular concrete slab to the left of the steps. That has been the
dream of the Crown Garden Club, as well as the two beautiful stone bordered gardens on each side of the steps,
which were recently completed. The community owes them a debt of gratitude for their vision and the
beautification of what once was, an unattractive and neglected cemetery entrance.
A fellow volunteer, Ernest Garza, who is a welder, and I need to finish the repair work on the gazebo for the
Crown Ladies first, and then we'll take care of Dr. Page's headstone.
Ms. Day, you are too gracious offering funding, but if you insist, we do have an account set up for donations
for the improvement of the three cemetery's in that city block. All funding received is overseen by the
volunteer Rockdale Cemetery Committee. The City was kind enough to set up a separate account for that purpose.
Checks are made out to City of Rockdale and in bold in the remarks section write "Old City Cemetery Fund". The
address is Rockdale City Hall 505 W. Cameron Ave. Rockdale, TX. 76567. Attention City Treasurer, Sandra
Ellis. Old City Cemetery Fund .
Do you know the date in 1903 that Sarah J. Payne Page expired?. Our Rockdale Reporter and Cameron Herald
newspapers were, and are, weeklies and it would make it potentially, considerably easier finding an obituary in
the micro-tape archives with that information.
I emailed Mr. Jerry Caywood, our website administrator, regarding your map inquiry. His Milam County historical
resources are extensive. He'll need the general lot locations that you possess. This is the best resource of
that general time period, that I'm able to provide;
When you choose Rockdale, note that some of the dated years are not in order. Should you have already attempted
this, sorry for the redundancy. I'll also notify you when I hear from Ms. Norinne Holman regarding Emily.
Lastly, Ms. Day, your research skills and experience are quite impressive. Personally, I'm both a struggling
student of genealogy and Milam County history. Many times I learn more from our website guests, such as
yourself, than they'll ever learn from me.
Regards, Jack Brooks
*****
June 17, 2015
Hi, Ms. Day. It would be nice if we had access to Bott's Title Company archives to find a layout of the
Ackerman Addition. Reference # 1 states that the lot depth is 262', more or less. When I used the Milam County
Appraisal Districts (MCAD) scaled view, see website link below, It appeared approximately 700' from San Gabriel
frontage east to the nearest Lee Street lot at the closest point. Also, as you are able to see, Rice Street
currently splits the two streets. I'm afraid that I don't have enough information to understand this deed and
the particulars lots(11, 13).
NOT VALID: http://mapsatbis.com/bisgis/rest/directories/arcgisoutput/Utilities/PrintingTools_GPServer/
_ags_a205284a964447af86eeb7c00860c98b.pdf
On behalf of the Rockdale Cemetery Committee and the OC-R cemetery volunteers, thank you for your very generous
donation to the Old City-Rockdale Cemetery improvement project. We will be sure to use the funds wisely. We're
still receiving scattered showers in Rockdale. Once they end and the D. S. Page headstone dries out, I'll epoxy
the sections back together. Regards, Jack Brooks
John Brooks
*****
2015-06-18
Ms. Day, We had enough sun today to finally dry all the headstone components. I dug down about six additional
inches, tamped the earth and built a brick pier. Gravel allows the moisture to wick away from the stone as well
as helping stabilize the base in the sandy soil.
Regards, Jack Brooks
*****
2015-06-18
Ms Day, I applied a second application of the D2 headstone cleaner. We'll have to give it some time to work
before possibly attempting a third.
Regards, Jack Brooks
*****
2015-07-23
John Brooks
Ms. Day,
Here are your before and after photo's of the repaired Dr. D. S. Page headstone.
The cemetery volunteers also assisted in the Crown Garden Club's 'Artisan Gazebo' project. Thanks to your very
generous contribution to our Old City-Rockdale Cemetery improvement fund, that project was also completed
(welding and machined parts). It now adorns the the main entrance to the cemetery and is located on the
foundation of an 1890 water storage standpipe. The standpipe collapsed in 1921 and the slab has remained vacant
until now. Since the foundation is circular, it looks like it was made for the gazebo, only 125 years earlier.
If the Milam County Historical Commission or the Rockdale Cemetery Committee may be of future assistance,
please do not hesitate to ask.
Sincerely, Jack Brooks
.
Photos by Jack Brooks
.
.
*****
2015-07-28
Subject: Re: Dr. Daniel S. Page Headstone
John: Thanks so much for the pictures. The tombstone looks fantastic. My only question is did his footstone get placed behind the monument? Just didn't want it to get lost.
The gazebo looks so nice and am glad you had enough money to finish it. What a worth-while project to protect the past and our history.
Again, thank you so much for taking care of this cemetery. As I said before, it took me 16 years to find his gravesite. So, thanks to your efforts on preserving this cemetery.
Kay
*****
2015-07-29
Kay,
Dr. Page's foot stone was reset at the foot of his plot as originally placed.
Please keep me posted regarding Dr. Pages potential new CSA marker, since we'll be happy to see that it's placed for you.
The gazebo was the Crown Garden Clubs idea and they are delighted that it came to fruition. As a matter of fact, our local newspaper(Rockdale Reporter) editor and reporter, Mike Brown, took some photos of them, possibly in it, this past Monday. I had heard mention of a "lifestyle" type article to be printed in the newspaper.
We're glad that the MCHC was able to be of assistance and especially that your funding helped put a glimmer in the Crown Garden Club ladies eyes.
Respectfully,
Jack Brooks, the MCHC and the Old City Cemetery volunteers.
2015-07-28
Subject: Re: Dr. Daniel S. Page Headstone
John: Thanks so much for the pictures. The tombstone looks fantastic. My only question is did his footstone get placed behind the monument? Just didn't want it to get lost.
The gazebo looks so nice and am glad you had enough money to finish it. What a worth-while project to protect the past and our history.
Again, thank you so much for taking care of this cemetery. As I said before, it took me 16 years to find his gravesite. So, thanks to your efforts on preserving this cemetery.
Kay
*****
2015-07-29
Kay,
Dr. Page's foot stone was reset at the foot of his plot as originally placed.
Please keep me posted regarding Dr. Pages potential new CSA marker, since we'll be happy to see that it's placed for you.
The gazebo was the Crown Garden Clubs idea and they are delighted that it came to fruition. As a matter of fact, our local newspaper(Rockdale Reporter) editor and reporter, Mike Brown, took some photos of them, possibly in it, this past Monday. I had heard mention of a "lifestyle" type article to be printed in the newspaper.
We're glad that the MCHC was able to be of assistance and especially that your funding helped put a glimmer in the Crown Garden Club ladies eyes.
Respectfully,
Jack Brooks, the MCHC and the Old City Cemetery volunteers.