On Sunday, January 22, 2023 at Big A Cemetery the Craig Austin Rowley Chapter, The Society of the War of 1812 in the State of Texas, and the John Cavet Chapter of the United States Daughters of 1812 honored Thomas R. Newman, Jr. (1792 – 1915) for his service in the War of 1812.
Ceremony:
Installation of Marker:
Program from Dedication Ceremony:
Thomas Runnels Newman, Jr.
Thomas Jr. was born in Georgia during 1792 and was a young man when his family moved to Mississippi. While in Mississippi, he served under General Stonewall Jackson in the War of 1812 and took part in the Battle of New Orleans.
Private Thomas Runnels Newman, Jr served in Luse’s Company of Lt Colonel Nelson’s Mississippi Detachment Militia during the War of 1812.
After the war Thomas moved to Tuscaloosa County Alabama where he married Mary Sparks and his son Harmon was born. The Nelson family moved to Hickman County Tennessee. After several years move to Wayne County Missouri where Mary died at the age of 60.
After Mary died Thomas looked west and moved with all their worldly goods on an ox pulled wagon to Pleasant Valley (current day Sachse) with his son Newman and daughter Elizabeth (Eliza).
Thomas Jr lived about seven years after arriving at Pleasant Valley (now Sachse) He died in 1863 and is buried here at the Big A Cemetery alongside his granddaughter’s grave.
Thomas Jr’s son Harmon is closely identified with the history of Dallas County. Harmon initially acquired 57 acres of wild prairie land and built a cabin to start a life in Texas, eventually acquiring 830 acres of land over time where he and his wife Emeline had 11 children (9 of which grew to maturity). New settlers were arriving in the area and needed work, Harmon had plenty of work, however several of these hands had eyes on his daughters and created the ancestry here today.
He began his career early and was ever since closely allied with its interest and up-building. He built and operated the first cotton gins run by a team of horses.
Harmon was also a major factor in erecting the first school and the first church in the area. He remained active and public spirited until his health failed him several years prior to his death on Friday, June 25, 1915.
He was buried on land that he donated to the Pleasant Valley Cemetery. Many people attended the standing room only funeral from the surrounding areas and distant points.
