McFaddin, TF Smith Homestead Cemetery at Forest Lawn Memorial, Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas, USA


Latitude: 30.12991195561344, Longitude: -94.09622437574228 | Click to get directions to McFaddin, TF Smith Homestead Cemetery at Forest Lawn Memorial
McFaddin, TF Smith Homestead Cemetery at Forest Lawn Memorial

Notes:
McFaddin Cemetery was located on property south of Beaumont, in Port Neches, Central Gardens at a location within the grounds of where DuPont is now. The cemetery was discovered in the Fifties, and due to the impending construction of the plant. (See attached newspaper coverage). There were about 30 people buried there whose remains were subsequently placed in four separate concrete boxes and relocated to Forest Lawn Cemetery where they were laid once again to rest in the Garden of Peace section. The headstones for the four graves are all identical, reading simply "TF Smith Homstead Tract Cemetery." The detailed list of occupants only exist on an index card in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park records (see copy attached). All of these people were either residents or descendants of the Sparks Settlement, also called Aurora, (what later became Port Arthur. The families were predominantly the Sparks, Courts and Gentz families and other family names who married into these families. Sparks Settlement was abandoned in late 1800s due to storms and disease; even the houses were moved. Most of them started another community in the Port Neches, Central Gardens area where they started a new cemetery - i.e. what was called the McFaddin Cemetery. Sparks Cemetery was also abandoned. The occupants of that cemetery, those who died while the community was active, were never moved; only recognized by a historical marker placed in a boulevard on DeQueen at Lakeshore (see photo). There is some false information on the Internet that the remains in Sparks Cemetery were removed to Forest Lawn. But what I have been able to discover is that is not the case. It is the later cemetery, McFaddin Cemetery, that was removed. There is also some belief that the cemetery was used even into the 1920s for burial needs; but that also seems to be mistaken information. The were fine and strong and brave pioneers who I am so proud to call my ancestors. They helped build our community here, and somehow, I hope to bring to mind the signifcance of those four plain little headstones marked simply "TF Smith Homestead Tract Cemetery."


Headstones

 Thumb Description Status Location Name (Died/Buried)
McFaddin Cemetery - TF Smith Homestead
McFaddin Cemetery - TF Smith Homestead
1952 Article Beaumont Enterprise; "Early Burials Found on Neches"; "One of Area Private Cemeteries Uncovered on DuPont Tract"

 
    Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas
Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas, USA
McFaddin Cem, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas
McFaddin, TF Smith Homestead, Forest Lawn Cem, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas
Edna Bordeman (d. 06 Aug 1916)
James* Madison Court (d. Aft 15 Aug 1899)
(infant) Estie Courts (d. 07 Aug 1913)
Donald Courts (d. 27 Oct 1913)
Elias Madison "Matt" Courts (d. 28 Nov 1919)
Fannie Irene Courts (d. Bef 1910)
Homer Courts (d. 21 Oct 1918)
James Bradley "Brad" Courts (d. 24 Oct 1948)
James Franklin Courts (d. Abt 09 Nov 1910)
Lillian Sarah "Lillie" Courts (d. Bef 1910)
Mary Ellen Courts (d. 19 Dec 1935)
Viola "Vee" Courts (d. Jan 1912)
Phillip Howard Crawford (d. 07 Dec 1917)
Geneva Frugia (d. 17 Apr 1916)
Claude* "Claudie" Gentz (d. 5 Nov 1916)
Sally Gibson (d. Aft 1885)
Martha Caroline Smith (d. Aft 1880)
Thomas F Smith (d. 11 Jan 1936)
Ada Lura Sparks (d. 1910)
James Christian (Coleman) Sparks, Sr (d. 12 Dec 1898)
James Edwin Sparks (d. 18 Aug 1914)
John L Sparks, Sr. (d. Bef 1910)
Julia* Ann Sparks (d. 25 Jan 1925)
William E. Sparks (d. 28 Apr 1919)
 
McFaddin Cemetery - TF Smith Homestead
McFaddin Cemetery - TF Smith Homestead
Grave 1
COURTS, Edna Bordeman - m James Bradley Courts (s/o Elias (Matt) Courts (s/o James & Julia)

BORDEMAN, E. Mrs. (unknown - no male Bordeman found with spouse E.)

BORDEMAN, (child) (unknown)

COURTS, Edna Bordeman - dup of Edna Bordeman Courts

COURTS, Tilda (Matilda Grace Gibson m James Franklin Courts) she died 1925)

COURTS, Homer (s/of James Franklin & Matilda Grace - died 1918)

COURTS, Caudine (Claudie) - died 1916

COURTS, Estie Baby (Claudie's baby)

COURTS, Carmel - unknown

COURTS, Buff - unknown
 
Located    Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas
Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas, USA
McFaddin, TF Smith Homestead, Forest Lawn Cem, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas
Edna Bordeman (d. 06 Aug 1916)
(infant) Estie Courts (d. 07 Aug 1913)
Homer Courts (d. 21 Oct 1918)
Claude* "Claudie" Gentz (d. 5 Nov 1916)
Matilda Grace Gibson (d. 26 Oct 1925)
 
McFaddin Cemetery - TF Smith Homestead
McFaddin Cemetery - TF Smith Homestead
Forest Lawn Index Card on occupants of graves. 
    Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas
Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas, USA
McFaddin Cem, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas
McFaddin, TF Smith Homestead, Forest Lawn Cem, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas
Edna Bordeman (d. 06 Aug 1916)
James* Madison Court (d. Aft 15 Aug 1899)
Sarah Ann Court (d. Aft 1910)
(infant) Estie Courts (d. 07 Aug 1913)
Donald Courts (d. 27 Oct 1913)
Elias Madison "Matt" Courts (d. 28 Nov 1919)
Fannie Irene Courts (d. Bef 1910)
James Franklin Courts (d. Abt 09 Nov 1910)
Lillian Sarah "Lillie" Courts (d. Bef 1910)
Mary Ellen Courts (d. 19 Dec 1935)
Viola "Vee" Courts (d. Jan 1912)
Phillip Howard Crawford (d. 07 Dec 1917)
Claude* "Claudie" Gentz (d. 5 Nov 1916)
Sally Gibson (d. Aft 1885)
Irving (Ivy) Smith (d. Bef 1924)
Martha Caroline Smith (d. Aft 1880)
Thomas F Smith (d. 11 Jan 1936)
Ada Lura Sparks (d. 1910)
James Christian (Coleman) Sparks, Sr (d. 12 Dec 1898)
James Edwin Sparks (d. 18 Aug 1914)
John L Sparks, Sr. (d. Bef 1910)
Joseph Madison Sparks (d. Abt 1910)
Julia* Ann Sparks (d. 25 Jan 1925)
Mary Susan Sparks (d. Aft 1900)
William E. Sparks (d. 28 Apr 1919)
 
McFaddin Cemetery - TF Smith Homestead
McFaddin Cemetery - TF Smith Homestead
McFaddin Cemetery was located on property south of Beaumont, in Port Neches, Central Gardens at a location within the grounds of where DuPont is now. The cemetery was discovered in the Fifties, and due to the impending construction of the plant. (See attached newspaper coverage). There were about 30 people buried there whose remains were subsequently placed in four separate concrete boxes and relocated to Forest Lawn Cemetery where they were laid once again to rest in the Garden of Peace section. The headstones for the four graves are all identical, reading simply "TF Smith Homstead Tract Cemetery." The detailed list of occupants only exist on an index card in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park records (see copy attached). All of these people were either residents or descendants of the Sparks Settlement, also called Aurora, (what later became Port Arthur. The families were predominantly the Sparks, Courts and Gentz families and other family names who married into these families. Sparks Settlement was abandoned in late 1800s due to storms and disease; even the houses were moved. Most of them started another community in the Port Neches, Central Gardens area where they started a new cemetery - i.e. what was called the McFaddin Cemetery. Sparks Cemetery was also abandoned. The occupants of that cemetery, those who died while the community was active, were never moved; only recognized by a historical marker placed in a boulevard on DeQueen at Lakeshore (see photo). There is some false information on the Internet that the remains in Sparks Cemetery were removed to Forest Lawn. But what I have been able to discover is that is not the case. It is the later cemetery, McFaddin Cemetery, that was removed. There is also some belief that the cemetery was used even into the 1920s for burial needs; but that also seems to be mistaken information. The were fine and strong and brave pioneers who I am so proud to call my ancestors. They helped build our community here, and somehow, I hope to bring to mind the signifcance of those four plain little headstones marked simply "TF Smith Homestead Tract Cemetery."
 
Located    Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas
Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas, USA
McFaddin Cem, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas
McFaddin, TF Smith Homestead, Forest Lawn Cem, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas
Edna Bordeman (d. 06 Aug 1916)
James* Madison Court (d. Aft 15 Aug 1899)
(infant) Estie Courts (d. 07 Aug 1913)
Donald Courts (d. 27 Oct 1913)
Elias Madison "Matt" Courts (d. 28 Nov 1919)
Fannie Irene Courts (d. Bef 1910)
Homer Courts (d. 21 Oct 1918)
James Bradley "Brad" Courts (d. 24 Oct 1948)
James Franklin Courts (d. Abt 09 Nov 1910)
Lillian Sarah "Lillie" Courts (d. Bef 1910)
Mary Ellen Courts (d. 19 Dec 1935)
Viola "Vee" Courts (d. Jan 1912)
Phillip Howard Crawford (d. 07 Dec 1917)
Alice Frugia (d. 7 Dec 1921)
Geneva Frugia (d. 17 Apr 1916)
Claude* "Claudie" Gentz (d. 5 Nov 1916)
Matilda Grace Gibson (d. 26 Oct 1925)
Sally Gibson (d. Aft 1885)
Martha Caroline Smith (d. Aft 1880)
Thomas F Smith (d. 11 Jan 1936)
Ada Lura Sparks (d. 1910)
James Christian (Coleman) Sparks, Sr (d. 12 Dec 1898)
John L Sparks, Sr. (d. Bef 1910)
Julia* Ann Sparks (d. 25 Jan 1925)
William E. Sparks (d. 28 Apr 1919)
 
McFaddin Cemetery - TF Smith Homestead
McFaddin Cemetery - TF Smith Homestead
 
Located    McFaddin, TF Smith Homestead, Forest Lawn Cem, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas
Edna Bordeman (d. 06 Aug 1916)
James* Madison Court (d. Aft 15 Aug 1899)
(infant) Estie Courts (d. 07 Aug 1913)
Donald Courts (d. 27 Oct 1913)
Elias Madison "Matt" Courts (d. 28 Nov 1919)
Fannie Irene Courts (d. Bef 1910)
James Franklin Courts (d. Abt 09 Nov 1910)
Lillian Sarah "Lillie" Courts (d. Bef 1910)
Mary Ellen Courts (d. 19 Dec 1935)
Viola "Vee" Courts (d. Jan 1912)
Phillip Howard Crawford (d. 07 Dec 1917)
Claude* "Claudie" Gentz (d. 5 Nov 1916)
Martha Caroline Smith (d. Aft 1880)
Thomas F Smith (d. 11 Jan 1936)
Ada Lura Sparks (d. 1910)
James Christian (Coleman) Sparks, Sr (d. 12 Dec 1898)
John L Sparks, Sr. (d. Bef 1910)
Julia* Ann Sparks (d. 25 Jan 1925)
William E. Sparks (d. 28 Apr 1919)
 
McFaddin Cemetery - TF Smith Homestead
McFaddin Cemetery - TF Smith Homestead
Grave 3
FRUGE, Fred ? ----

FRUGE, Genevia prob sis of Pete Fruge Jr who m Julia Courts, d/o Elias

FRUGE, Alice - not sis to Genevia; she's buried in Magnolia.

FRUGE, Florence, ? ----

SPARKS, Edward ? ----

SPARKS, Caroline Martha Caroline Smith m Solomon Sparks ----

SPARKS, Viola Courts dau of James & Julia ----

SPARKS, Frances Courts prob Fannie Irene Courts d/o James & Julia, m Jacob S Sparks (son of ?) ----
 
Located    McFaddin, TF Smith Homestead, Forest Lawn Cem, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas
Fannie Irene Courts (d. Bef 1910)
Viola "Vee" Courts (d. Jan 1912)
Alice Frugia (d. 7 Dec 1921)
Geneva Frugia (d. 17 Apr 1916)
Martha Caroline Smith (d. Aft 1880)
 
McFaddin Cemetery - TF Smith Homestead
McFaddin Cemetery - TF Smith Homestead
Grave 4
COURTS, Madison Elias Madison "Matt" - s/o James & Julia m Sallie Gibson

SMITH, Irving (or Ivy) son of Lillian Courts Smith

SMITH, Lillian Courts d/o James & Julia - m Mr. Smith, prob Irving

COURTS, James F. s/o James & Julia, died 1910 - m Matilda Gibson

COURTS, Julia A. (our Julia)

COURTS, James M. (our James)

COURTS, Sarah A. - might be d/o Thomas and Ann, m Lewis King

COURTS, Beulah - unknown

COURTS, Brad - likely James Bradley s/o Elias "Matt - m Sallie Gibson, m Maggie Bumstead; however his d.c. says buried in Saratoga. No other Brad's known of. Perhaps erroneously included in this group.
 
Located    James* Madison Court (d. Aft 15 Aug 1899)
Sarah Ann Court (d. Aft 1910)
Elias Madison "Matt" Courts (d. 28 Nov 1919)
James Bradley "Brad" Courts (d. 24 Oct 1948)
James Franklin Courts (d. Abt 09 Nov 1910)
Lillian Sarah "Lillie" Courts (d. Bef 1910)
Irving (Ivy) Smith (d. Bef 1924)
Julia* Ann Sparks (d. 25 Jan 1925)
 
McFaddin Cemetery - TF Smith Homestead
McFaddin Cemetery - TF Smith Homestead
Grave 2
SPARKS, John L. - died 1867 (s/o Solomon Sparks - m Martha Courts d/o James & Julia

SPRIGGS, Lura Sparks - died bef 1930; Ada Lura Sparks d/o James Chester, Sr ; Julias bro

SPARKS, William - son of Solomon and Caroline - d 1919

CRAWFORD, Phillip maybe hubby or son to Susan Sparks Crawford

SPARKS, J.C. (James Chester Sr)

SPARKS, Joseph bro to John L and Susan

SPARKS, James C. (James Chester Sr or Jr) -- Sr. died 1898 - Jr. died aft 1940

CRAWFORD, Susan Sparks prob Mary Susan Sparks, sis to James L Sparks - Phillip Crawford must be hubby or maybe a son - ??
 
Located    McFaddin, TF Smith Homestead, Forest Lawn Cem, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas
Ada Lura Sparks (d. 1910)
James Christian (Coleman) Sparks, Sr (d. 12 Dec 1898)
John L Sparks, Sr. (d. Bef 1910)
Joseph Madison Sparks (d. Abt 1910)
Mary Susan Sparks (d. Aft 1900)
William E. Sparks (d. 28 Apr 1919)
 
McFaddin, TF Smith Homestead, Forest Lawn Cemetery, Garden of Peace Section
McFaddin, TF Smith Homestead, Forest Lawn Cemetery, Garden of Peace Section
 
Located    Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas
Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas, USA
McFaddin Cem, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas
McFaddin, TF Smith Homestead, Forest Lawn Cem, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas
Edna Bordeman (d. 06 Aug 1916)
James* Madison Court (d. Aft 15 Aug 1899)
(infant) Estie Courts (d. 07 Aug 1913)
Donald Courts (d. 27 Oct 1913)
Elias Madison "Matt" Courts (d. 28 Nov 1919)
Fannie Irene Courts (d. Bef 1910)
Homer Courts (d. 21 Oct 1918)
James Bradley "Brad" Courts (d. 24 Oct 1948)
James Franklin Courts (d. Abt 09 Nov 1910)
Lillian Sarah "Lillie" Courts (d. Bef 1910)
Mary Ellen Courts (d. 19 Dec 1935)
Viola "Vee" Courts (d. Jan 1912)
Phillip Howard Crawford (d. 07 Dec 1917)
Alice Frugia (d. 7 Dec 1921)
Geneva Frugia (d. 17 Apr 1916)
Claude* "Claudie" Gentz (d. 5 Nov 1916)
Matilda Grace Gibson (d. 26 Oct 1925)
Sally Gibson (d. Aft 1885)
Martha Caroline Smith (d. Aft 1880)
Thomas F Smith (d. 11 Jan 1936)
Ada Lura Sparks (d. 1910)
James Christian (Coleman) Sparks, Sr (d. 12 Dec 1898)
John L Sparks, Sr. (d. Bef 1910)
Julia* Ann Sparks (d. 25 Jan 1925)
William E. Sparks (d. 28 Apr 1919)
 
McFaddin, TF Smith Homestead, Forest Lawn Cemetery, Garden of Peace Section
McFaddin, TF Smith Homestead, Forest Lawn Cemetery, Garden of Peace Section
 
Located    Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas
Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas, USA
McFaddin Cem, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas
McFaddin, TF Smith Homestead, Forest Lawn Cem, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas
Edna Bordeman (d. 06 Aug 1916)
James* Madison Court (d. Aft 15 Aug 1899)
(infant) Estie Courts (d. 07 Aug 1913)
Donald Courts (d. 27 Oct 1913)
Elias Madison "Matt" Courts (d. 28 Nov 1919)
Fannie Irene Courts (d. Bef 1910)
Homer Courts (d. 21 Oct 1918)
James Bradley "Brad" Courts (d. 24 Oct 1948)
James Franklin Courts (d. Abt 09 Nov 1910)
Lillian Sarah "Lillie" Courts (d. Bef 1910)
Mary Ellen Courts (d. 19 Dec 1935)
Viola "Vee" Courts (d. Jan 1912)
Phillip Howard Crawford (d. 07 Dec 1917)
Alice Frugia (d. 7 Dec 1921)
Geneva Frugia (d. 17 Apr 1916)
Claude* "Claudie" Gentz (d. 5 Nov 1916)
Matilda Grace Gibson (d. 26 Oct 1925)
Sally Gibson (d. Aft 1885)
Martha Caroline Smith (d. Aft 1880)
Thomas F Smith (d. 11 Jan 1936)
Ada Lura Sparks (d. 1910)
James Christian (Coleman) Sparks, Sr (d. 12 Dec 1898)
John L Sparks, Sr. (d. Bef 1910)
Julia* Ann Sparks (d. 25 Jan 1925)
William E. Sparks (d. 28 Apr 1919)
 

All Burials

 #   Last Name, Given Name(s)   Buried   Person ID 
1. Bordeman, Edna   bur. 08 Aug 1916 McFaddin, TF Smith Homestead, Forest Lawn Cem, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas Find all individuals with events at this location I16167
2. Court, James* Madison   d. Aft 15 Aug 1899 McFaddin, TF Smith Homestead, Forest Lawn Cem, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas Find all individuals with events at this location I505
3. Courts, (infant) Estie   d. 07 Aug 1913 McFaddin, TF Smith Homestead, Forest Lawn Cem, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas Find all individuals with events at this location I14191
4. Courts, Donald   d. 27 Oct 1913 McFaddin, TF Smith Homestead, Forest Lawn Cem, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas Find all individuals with events at this location I21555
5. Courts, Elias Madison "Matt"   bur. 29 Nov 1919 McFaddin, TF Smith Homestead, Forest Lawn Cem, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas Find all individuals with events at this location I512
6. Courts, Fannie Irene   d. Bef 1910 McFaddin, TF Smith Homestead, Forest Lawn Cem, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas Find all individuals with events at this location I536
7. Courts, James Franklin   bur. 09 Nov 1910 McFaddin, TF Smith Homestead, Forest Lawn Cem, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas Find all individuals with events at this location I514
8. Courts, Lillian Sarah "Lillie"   d. Bef 1910 McFaddin, TF Smith Homestead, Forest Lawn Cem, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas Find all individuals with events at this location I535
9. Courts, Mary Ellen   bur. 20 Dec 1935 McFaddin, TF Smith Homestead, Forest Lawn Cem, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas Find all individuals with events at this location I511
10. Courts, Viola "Vee"   d. Jan 1912 McFaddin, TF Smith Homestead, Forest Lawn Cem, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas Find all individuals with events at this location I538
11. Crawford, Phillip Howard   d. 07 Dec 1917 McFaddin, TF Smith Homestead, Forest Lawn Cem, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas Find all individuals with events at this location I17565
12. Frugia, Geneva   d. 17 Apr 1916 McFaddin, TF Smith Homestead, Forest Lawn Cem, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas Find all individuals with events at this location I14434
13. Gentz, Claude* "Claudie"   bur. 6 Nov 1916 McFaddin, TF Smith Homestead, Forest Lawn Cem, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas Find all individuals with events at this location I1319
14. Gibson, Sally   d. Aft 1885 McFaddin, TF Smith Homestead, Forest Lawn Cem, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas Find all individuals with events at this location I532
15. Smith, Irving (Ivy)   d. Bef 1924 McFaddin, TF Smith Homestead, Forest Lawn Cem, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas Find all individuals with events at this location I14414
16. Smith, Martha Caroline   d. Aft 1880 McFaddin, TF Smith Homestead, Forest Lawn Cem, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas Find all individuals with events at this location I452
17. Sparks, Ada Lura   d. 1910 McFaddin, TF Smith Homestead, Forest Lawn Cem, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas Find all individuals with events at this location I436
18. Sparks, James Christian (Coleman) Sr   d. 12 Dec 1898 McFaddin, TF Smith Homestead, Forest Lawn Cem, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas Find all individuals with events at this location I412
19. Sparks, James Edwin   bur. 19 Aug 1914 McFaddin, TF Smith Homestead, Forest Lawn Cem, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas Find all individuals with events at this location I456
20. Sparks, John L Sr.   d. Bef 1910 McFaddin, TF Smith Homestead, Forest Lawn Cem, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas Find all individuals with events at this location I454
21. Sparks, Joseph Madison   d. Abt 1910 McFaddin, TF Smith Homestead, Forest Lawn Cem, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas Find all individuals with events at this location I503
22. Sparks, Julia* Ann   bur. 26 Jan 1925 McFaddin, TF Smith Homestead, Forest Lawn Cem, Beaumont, Jefferson Co, Texas Find all individuals with events at this location I507