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