Old Waverly (Formerly Carmel)
Old Waverly, also known simply as Waverly, is a historical settlement
and former town in southeastern Texas, originally located in Walker
County but later straddling the Walker-San Jacinto County line after
San Jacinto County was formed in 1870. It was a prosperous antebellum community centered on cotton plantations
and education, settled primarily by migrants from Alabama, and is
sometimes referred to as a ghost town due to its significant decline,
though it retains a small rural population and remnants today.
Location: Old Waverly is situated on the Walker-San Jacinto County line
in East Texas, approximately 8 miles east of New Waverly, 14 miles west
of Coldspring, 21 miles southeast of Huntsville (the Walker County
seat), and 25 miles northeast of Conroe. The original settlement was in
southeastern Walker County, along what is now Winters Bayou, just north
of State Highway 150. The town was surveyed and platted into streets
including North, Main,
Concert, and Amity (running north-south) and College, Commerce, and
Forrest (running east-west). It appears on historical maps, such as a
1907 Walker County postal map
showing both Waverly and New Waverly in the southeast corner near the
San Jacinto County line.
Today, the area is rural, with a subdivision called Old Waverly on the
south side of Highway 150, and remnants like the cemetery and church
located west of the county line. The site is nestled among tall pines
in a densely forested region that was originally cleared for cotton
farming.
Founding and Early Development:
The settlement began in 1835 when James
Washington Winters, born in Giles County, Tennessee, arrived from
Alabama a year before Texas independence. Winters, who served in the
Texas Revolution with Col. Sidney Sherman's
Second Regiment during the Battle of San Jacinto, cleared land along
Winters Bayou with help from friendly Native Americans and built a
home. In 1850, Col. John C. Abercrombie visited from Alabama to scout
locations, followed in 1851 by migrants including Hamlin Lewis, Maxey
Lewis, Robert Lindsey Scott, John Elliot Scott, Dr. Townsend, William
Lovett, and others, some of whom died of cholera en route in New
Orleans. That year, the Fishers arrived from North Carolina. By autumn
1852, about 300 people from Alabama, including enslaved individuals,
had settled in the area. In 1853-1854, families like the Fletchers
(William P. Fletcher and sons
Horatio and Lorenzo), Dr. J. A. Thompson, and Dr. John Fletcher Fisher
moved in, often sending overseers and enslaved workers ahead to build
homes and clear land.
The town was named by Maxey Lewis after Sir Walter Scott's popular
Waverley novels. It was surveyed by John R. Johnson in 1858 and
incorporated on July 10 of that year. A post office operated from 1855
to 1872. Waverly Institute, a male and female academy with separate
departments
for boys and girls, was established in 1856 (incorporated by the Texas
legislature on August 29) and became a noted educational center
attracting students from surrounding counties, with teachers like Miss
Shackleford, Mr. Davis, and Professor C. Gustav Fitze. A Masonic lodge
functioned from 1861 to 1865. Churches included Presbyterian (organized
1860 with R. H. Byers as
pastor), Methodist (built by Dr. James E. Scott at Main and College
Streets), and Episcopalian (which held services in the Methodist
building). The community featured stores, businesses, and large
plantations with
cotton gins (producing about 3 bales per day, powered by mules or
oxen), where enslaved labor was central until emancipation. It was
viewed as a small enclave of the Southern plantation system, evoking
"moonlight, magnolias, and landed gentry."
Peak and Daily Life: At its peak in the late 1850s to early 1860s, just
before the Civil War, Old Waverly had a population of around 300-400
residents and was an early cultural and educational hub for the region.
Daily life revolved around cotton farming on self-sufficient
plantations that produced meat, vegetables, meal, fruit, eggs, butter,
milk, game, wild fruits, berries, and nuts. The economy was based on
the slave-plantation system imported from Alabama. During the Civil
War, Federal troops camped in the town on Soldier's
Hill, and the Waverly Institute's academies were combined, with the
male academy building repurposed as a church.
In September 1866, planters met at Meyer Levy's general store (Levy was
a respected Polish Jewish merchant, Civil War blockade runner, and
veteran who owned multiple stores in East Texas) to address labor
shortages post-emancipation. They formed the Waverly Emigration
Society, sending Levy to Europe to recruit about 150 Polish laborers;
only a few families arrived initially, but they and their descendants
became a key cultural element in Walker County, with the first group
settling in nearby New Waverly in 1867. The importation of Polish
workers failed to fully resolve labor issues, as soil exhaustion from
intensive farming also contributed to economic challenges.Decline and
Abandonment. Old Waverly's decline began after the Civil War due
to emancipation, labor shortages, and depleted soil. The decisive
factor was the town's refusal in 1870 to grant right-of-way to the
Houston and Great Northern Railroad, fearing it would attract "tramps
and ignorance" and harm livestock. The railroad instead built 10 miles
west, leading to the founding of New Waverly (initially "Waverly
Station") that year, which absorbed much of the commerce and
population. Families like the Hills, Traylors, Thompsons, and some
Fishers migrated to New Waverly, leaving Old Waverly as a "ghost town"
with only a few houses by the late 19th century. Population dropped
from nearly 400 in 1896 to 100 in 1925.
Historical Recognition and Remnants: Old Waverly is recognized with two
Texas historical markers: one for the town itself (erected 1969 at 30°
31.623′ N, 95° 21.194′ W on Jim Browder Road, north of Highway 150 in
San Jacinto County) and one for Waverly Cemetery (erected 1978). The
town marker reads: "Early center of culture for this part of Texas.
Settled 1835-1850s, mainly by people from Alabama. Community was named
for the Waverley novels of Sir Walter Scott, then very popular. To
provide education equal to any, Waverly Institute was founded in 1854,
with separate departments for boys and girls. Plantation system
prevailed until 1860s. During Civil War, Federal troops camped in heart
of Waverly, on Soldier's Hill. Of three early churches, only the
Presbyterian (organized in 1860) still exists; its present building was
erected in 1904." (Marker Number 7673, erected by State Historical
Survey Committee). Remnants include the Waverly Cemetery (at the west
end of the street, with a historical marker) and the Presbyterian
Church (organized 1860, current building from 1904, at the east end).
The 1921 two-room schoolhouse from Old Waverly was relocated to the Old
Coldspring townsite in Coldspring. By 1986, the area had a rural
subdivision with about 50 residents; the population reached 200 in
2000. Some descendants of original settlers remain near Winters Bayou,
and the area includes modern developments like "My Favorite Campground"
for RVers. It is featured in books like T. Lindsay Baker's More Ghost
Towns of Texas (2003) and Ed Syers' Ghosts of Texas, which includes
stories of local hauntings at "Ghosts of Old Waverly" and the cemetery
("An East Texas Tale of Two Hills"). Nearby markers commemorate figures
like James and Rhoda Creel Beall Winters, John Frelan Winters, and
others.
James W. Winters (likely referring to James Washington Winters Sr.,
1773–1848, though some sources conflate him with his son) was an early
settler in what became Waverly (also known as Old Waverly), Texas, in
southeastern Walker County. Born around 1773 (possibly in South
Carolina or Tennessee), he moved his family to Texas in 1835 after
spending time in Memphis, Tennessee, and possibly Alabama. He is
credited as the first settler in the area, clearing farmland and
building a home on land in the Vehlein Colony (present-day Walker
County).
Family and Texas Revolution Involvement: Married to Rhoda Creel Beall
(1784–1853), Winters had several children, including sons James
Washington Winters Jr. (1817–1879), William C. Winters, and John F.
Winters, all of whom served in the Texas Army during the Revolution.
The brothers fought at the Battle of San Jacinto in 1836 under Captain
William Ware's company, with William C. as Second Sergeant. James Jr.
was born in Giles County, Tennessee, and later became a notable figure,
making furniture for the 1857 Texas State Capitol and assisting in
marking the San Jacinto battlefield in 1901 (though this may refer to a
descendant, as Jr. died in 1879).
Settlement and Legacy: Winters' arrival in 1835, just before Texas
Independence, laid the foundation for the community. He died in 1848 in
New Waverly (Walker County) and is buried there. His family continued
in the area, contributing to its development into a prosperous
antebellum community known for cotton plantations and education. No
direct connection to Alabama beyond migration references in some
sources, which may stem from a brief stop or family ties there before
Texas.The Fishers from North CarolinaThe Fishers were a family from
North Carolina who settled in the Waverly area in 1851, joining James
W. Winters and contributing to the community's growth. Specific
individuals are not named in primary historical accounts, but they are
noted as early arrivals who helped establish the plantation-based
economy.
Connection to Carmel/Old Waverly: Carmel appears as an associated or
alternate name for parts of the Waverly area in some records, possibly
a ghost town or locality in San Jacinto or Walker County linked to Old
Waverly. The Fishers lived in this region, which was centered on cotton
farming and included sites like Fisher Farm near New Waverly.
Descendants include notable figures like Minnie Fisher Cunningham
(1882–1964), a suffragist born on Fisher Farm near New Waverly to
Horatio White Fisher and Sallie Abercrombie Fisher. Horatio (1847–1929)
was likely part of or descended from the 1851 North Carolina migrants,
with family roots tracing back to Virginia and North Carolina (e.g.,
Thomas Fisher, born 1811 in Virginia, who moved to NC).
Broader Family Context: The Fisher surname has deep roots in North
Carolina, with genealogies showing migrations from Virginia in the
early 1800s. For instance, James Fisher (born ~1780 in NC) was an Old
Three Hundred colonist in Texas by 1824, receiving land in Colorado
County, but this may not directly connect to the Waverly group. Other
NC Fishers include lines like Jacob Fisher (immigrated 1727 to
Pennsylvania, later to NC) and Southy Fisher (1735–1802), indicating a
widespread family network involved in farming and early settlement. The
family's arrival coincided with a wave of settlers, including 300
people from Alabama in 1852, boosting Waverly's population and economy
before the Civil War. Waverly InstituteThe Waverly Institute was a
prominent educational
institution in antebellum Waverly, Texas, established to provide
high-quality education rivaling northern schools, earning the town the
nickname "Boston of East Texas."
Founding and Structure: Founded in 1854 (or 1856 per some records), it
consisted of separate male and female academies. The Female Academy was
on the southwest corner of College and Waverly streets, while the male
department was elsewhere in town. It operated as a private school with
departments for boys and girls, emphasizing classical education.
Historical Context and Decline: The institute thrived during Waverly's
prosperous pre-Civil War era, supported by the plantation system. It
closed amid the war's disruptions in the 1860s. In 1857, the institute
purchased 200 acres, including land for the Waverly Cemetery. The
site's legacy is preserved in historical markers and local histories.
The Waverly Emigration Society (also called Waverly Immigration
Society) was formed post-Civil War to address labor shortages on East
Texas plantations by recruiting European immigrants, particularly
Poles.
Formation and Purpose: On September 19, 1866, 12 local planters met at
Meyer Levy's general store in Waverly to organize the society. Levy, a
Polish-Jewish merchant, was commissioned to travel to Europe
(specifically Poland) to recruit 150 farmworkers, offering
transportation, housing, and wages to entice them amid
post-emancipation labor needs.
Outcomes and Legacy: Levy recruited about 40 families (around 100-150
individuals), who arrived in 1867-1868, leading to the Polish community
in New Waverly. This shifted the area's demographics and contributed to
the founding of institutions like St. Joseph's Catholic Church. The
society dissolved after its goal was met, but it marked a key chapter
in Texas immigration history, connecting to earlier Polish settlements
like Panna Maria (1854).
These elements reflect Waverly's rise as a cultural and economic hub in
the 1850s-1860s, followed by decline after the railroad bypassed it in
the 1870s, shifting activity to New Waverly.
The Soldier's Hill Incident:
Murder of Union Soldiers in Old Waverly, TexasOld Waverly, a
once-thriving 19th-century settlement straddling Walker and San Jacinto
Counties in East Texas, was a hub for cotton plantations, education
(home to the Waverly Institute), and early settler families from the
South. Its decline began in the 1880s with the arrival of the railroad,
which birthed New Waverly nearby. Today, it's a ghost town with
remnants like a church and cemetery, but its haunted legacy—fueled by
Civil War-era tensions—centers on Soldier's Hill, a modest knoll that
served as a Union patrol base during the Reconstruction period
(post-1865). This era saw deep resentment toward "Yankee" occupiers in
Confederate Texas, leading to vigilante violence. The "incident" at
Soldier's Hill is a blend of historical fact and local folklore,
centered on the brutal murder of three Union soldiers, possibly in
retaliation for a young girl's death. Below are the key details, drawn
from historical accounts and ghost lore.Historical ContextUnion
Presence in Old Waverly: After the Civil War, federal troops were
stationed across Texas to enforce Reconstruction policies, protect
freed enslaved people, and suppress Confederate holdouts. Old Waverly
hosted a Union cavalry camp, where patrols roamed the piney woods to
maintain order amid simmering rebel sympathies. The area was cleared by
slave labor for cotton fields, adding layers of racial and economic
strife.
The Setting: Soldier's Hill, a strategic high point near the town's
ruins, overlooked desolate settler cabins. One such cabin—now abandoned
and its exact location kept secret by owners—became the site of
tragedy. Nearby Sentry Hill (northeast of Old Waverly) ties into
similar lore, possibly as a watchpost.
The Incident:
The MurdersThe Crime: In the late 1860s, three Union (Federal) soldiers
were allegedly involved in the killing of a young local girl inside the
cabin during a patrol. Details are murky—some accounts suggest assault
or an accidental shooting amid tensions—but her death ignited fury
among residents.
Retaliation and Execution: Local vigilantes, possibly led by a figure
like Richard Williams (a colorful Texas Revolution veteran born in
1808, who fought at San Jacinto and later became a community
character), ambushed the soldiers. They were murdered—likely shot or
stabbed—and their bodies hastily buried under the cabin's floorboards
to conceal the act. Alternative tales point to a planter named Miller
as the killer, motivated by protecting his property and family from
"invaders."
Scale and Aftermath: While not a large-scale massacre, the triple
homicide symbolized broader anti-Union violence in East Texas. No
formal records exist due to the era's lawlessness, but oral histories
passed through families like the Winters and Bankheads (early 1830s
settlers). The girl's spirit is said to have lingered, cursing the site.
Animal Reactions and Visitor Encounters:
Pets (cats, dogs) refuse to enter the cabin, even fleeing in
storms—instinctively sensing unrest. In the 1970s, a local
newspaperwoman tried an overnight vigil but fled after seeing unnatural
mist envelop the site. Paranormal investigator Ed Sayes attempted a
probe but was deterred by mud and a canceled guide, chalking it up to
"the land's resistance." A modern account from a skeptical friend of a
local man: While driving near the hill at night, they heard rustling
underbrush and footsteps charging their car. Joking about it "stopping
the engine," the vehicle stalled—jump-starting it, they sped away,
convinced of pursuit by unseen entities.
Connection to Sentry Hill:
About a mile away, this site hosts a headless apparition—either a
dutiful Union sentry who "never left his post" or a careless sawmill
worker decapitated in an accident. Nighttime chases through brush are
common, with EVPs (electronic voice phenomena) capturing pleas like
"Relieve me!" blending soldier and laborer lore.
Broader Waverly Hauntings:
The Old Waverly Cemetery (established 1853 on land bought by settlers
like Mary M. Lewis) holds unmarked graves of cholera victims and
pioneers. While not directly tied, orbs and whispers are reported,
possibly from the same era's unrest. Legends mention Polish Jewish
laborers recruited post-war by Meyer Levy adding exotic spectral layers.
Why It Persists:
The murders reflect Texas's bitter Reconstruction scars—Union troops
were often seen as oppressors by ex-Confederates. No mass graves have
been unearthed, but the story endures through family memoirs (e.g.,
Cynthia Latham and Ella Fisher's Girlhoods in Texas) and columns in
outlets like the Sam Houston Sentinel. Skeptics attribute hauntings to
swamp gases or wildlife in the dense forest, but believers cite
consistent patterns over 150+ years.If visiting (with permission—much
is private land), go at dusk for "moonlit frolics," but heed warnings:
The cabin's owners guard its secrecy, and locals advise prayers. For
deeper dives, check the Walker County Historical Commission or Sayes'
book. Old Waverly's ghosts remind us: Some battles never end.
The Winters Family of Old Waverly
The Winters Family of Old Waverly, TexasThe Winters family were pivotal
early settlers in Old Waverly (originally Waverly), a ghost town in
southeastern Walker County, Texas, founded around 1835. James
Washington Winters Sr., a veteran of multiple wars, led the family's
migration from Giles County, Tennessee, in 1834, establishing a
plantation on Winters Bayou (named after them) that became the nucleus
of the community. The family cleared land, farmed cotton, and played
key roles in the Texas Revolution, with several members fighting at the
Battle of San Jacinto (1836). Their legacy includes Winters Memorial
Park (established 1901 as a family cemetery and historical site) and
markers erected by the Texas Historical Commission. Old Waverly's
decline began in the 1880s due to railroad shifts favoring nearby New
Waverly.Below is a comprehensive list of James Washington Winters Sr.
and his immediate family (13 children), drawn from genealogical
records. Details include birth/death dates, spouses, residences tied to
Old Waverly/Walker County, and a focus on military service. Later
descendants (e.g., James Knox Polk Winters, 1849–1921, born in Old
Waverly and son of James Jr.) are noted briefly where relevant, but the
emphasis is on the founding generation. Information is cross-verified
from sources like RootsWeb genealogies, WikiTree, Find a Grave, and
Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) entries.James Washington
Winters Sr. (Patriarch)Birth: 1773, Halifax County, North Carolina
Death: May 23, 1848 (age 75), Old Waverly, Walker County, Texas
Spouse: Rhoda Creel Beall (1784, Chatham County, North Carolina – June
25, 1859, Oakville, Live Oak County, Texas; married 1808, Franklin,
Williamson County, Tennessee)
Residence/Notes: Migrated to Texas in 1834 with wife and 13 children;
first settler in Old Waverly (then part of Montgomery County, later
Walker). Owned a league of land in Vehelein's Colony; farmed cotton
with enslaved labor (family held slaves per 1850s censuses). Buried in
Winters Memorial Park, New Waverly, Walker County, Texas.
Military Service: Extensive veteran; served in the War of 1812 (Battles
of Horseshoe Bend and Talladega under Andrew Jackson). In Texas
Revolution: Joined at age 62, fought at the Battle of San Jacinto
(April 21, 1836) alongside three sons; provided supplies to the Texas
army. Received land bounty for service.
Children of James Washington Winters Sr. and Rhoda Creel Beall
The couple had 13 children, most born in Giles County, Tennessee.
Several remained in or near Old Waverly post-Revolution, contributing
to its growth as a plantation hub by 1852 (population ~300, including
enslaved people).William Carvin "Billy" WintersBirth: June 25, 1809,
Giles County, Tennessee
Death: 1863 (age 54), Wimberley, Hays County, Texas
Spouse: Lavina Bridges (married ~1830s)
Residence/Notes: Explored Texas in 1832 with brother John; built the
family's first cabin in Old Waverly area. Post-war, farmed in Hays
County; widow and son William Elisha later moved to Frio County. Buried
in John Wilson Private Cemetery, Wimberley, Hays County, Texas.
Military Service: Texas Revolution: Fought at Battle of San Jacinto;
severely wounded in the leg but survived. Received 640-acre bounty.
Orrin Lemon Winters
Birth: December 25, 1811, Giles County, Tennessee
Death: April 17, 1902 (age 90), Delhi, Caldwell County, Texas
Spouse: Suzannah W. Elroy (married ~1840s)
Residence/Notes: Settled initially in Old Waverly; later moved to Caldwell County for farming.
Military Service: None documented.
Mary "Polly" Winters
Birth: 1812, Giles County, Tennessee
Death: Unknown (likely pre-1834 migration), Tennessee
Spouse: None documented
Residence/Notes: Died young, before family migration to Texas.
Military Service: None (pre-adult).
Caroline Patton Winters
Birth: 1813, Giles County, Tennessee
Death: September 1834 (age ~21), near Trinity River, Texas (Montgomery County)
Spouse: Grant Fannin (married ~1830s)
Residence/Notes: Died shortly after arriving in Texas; buried beside the Trinity River.
Military Service: None documented.
John Frelan Winters
Birth: July 13, 1814, Pulaski, Giles County, Tennessee
Death: January 16, 1864 (age 49), Old Waverly, Walker County, Texas
Spouses: (1) Henrietta Rebecca Ramsdell (married ~1840s; she died pre-1860); (2) Margaret Ella Miller (married ~1850s)
Residence/Notes: Explored Texas in 1832 with brother William; core Old
Waverly settler and farmer. Lived/died on family land; Texas Historical
Marker at Winters Memorial Park honors him. Buried there.
Military Service: Texas Revolution: Fought at Battle of San Jacinto. No further service noted.
Nancy B. Winters
Birth: 1815, Giles County, Tennessee
Death: 1849 (age ~34), New Waverly, Walker County, Texas
Spouse: James H. Jones (born 1802, Virginia; married ~1830s)
Residence/Notes: Settled in Old Waverly area; died young post-migration.
Military Service: None documented.
James Washington Winters Jr.
Birth: January 21, 1817, Giles County, Tennessee
Death: November 15, 1903 (age 86), Bigfoot, Frio County, Texas
Spouses: (1) Elizabeth Weir (born 1829; died 1895, Frio County, Texas;
married ~1840s); (2) Percy Ezandy Tullis (born May 9, 1819, Jackson,
Mississippi; died February 7, 1874, Tuxpan, Mexico; married ~1870s)
Residence/Notes: Blacksmith and farmer in Old Waverly; later migrated
southwest. In 1901, helped mark the San Jacinto battlefield (65 years
after fighting there). Father of James Knox Polk Winters (1849–1921,
born Old Waverly). Buried in Brummett Cemetery, Bigfoot, Frio County,
Texas.
Military Service: Texas Revolution: Fought at Battle of San Jacinto.
1842: Somervell Expedition (retreated without invading Mexico). Civil
War: Confederate service (details sparse; likely local militia).
Received multiple land bounties.
Sarah "Sallie" Drusilla Winters
Birth: May 23, 1818, Giles County, Tennessee
Death: June 8, 1913 (age 95), Alvin, Brazoria County, Texas
Spouse: Jackson Crouch (married 1838)
Residence/Notes: Lived in Old Waverly initially; later to Lavaca County.
Military Service: None documented.
Benjamin Franklin Winters
Birth: July 4, 1820, Giles County, Tennessee
Death: 1910 (age ~90), Bigfoot, Frio County, Texas
Spouse: Sylvania Cude (born 1825, Alabama; married 1844, Walker County, Texas)
Residence/Notes: As a 15-year-old, hauled supplies to Texas army during
Revolution. Farmed in Old Waverly/Walker County before moving to Frio.
Military Service: None formal (youth during Revolution; supply support noted).
Lydia Ellen "Lillie" Winters
Birth: December 12, 1822, Giles County, Tennessee
Death: April 26, 1901 (age 78), Oakville, Live Oak County, Texas
Spouses: (1) William A. "Billy" Cude Jr. (born 1801, Grainger County,
Tennessee; died May 1, 1847, Montgomery County, Texas; married July 26,
1839); (2) Charles Overby Edwards (married ~1848)
Residence/Notes: Settled in Old Waverly; first husband died in Mexican-American War era.
Military Service: None documented.
Elisha Willis Winters
Birth: 1824, Giles County, Tennessee
Death: 1848 (age ~24), location unknown (possibly Texas)
Spouse: Dorcus Cude (married ~1840s)
Residence/Notes: Lived in Old Waverly area; died young.
Military Service: Texas Revolution era: Participated in 1842 Somervell
Expedition with brothers James Jr. and Billington (retreated from
Mexico). Received 320-acre bounty in Liberty County for service.
Billington Taylor Winters
Birth: August 12, 1826, Giles County, Tennessee
Death: 1901 (age 75), Moore, Frio County, Texas
Spouse: Dorus Cude (married April 13, 1848, Collin County, Texas)
Residence/Notes: Arrived in Texas as a child (1834); farmed in Old
Waverly before moving to Collin then Frio County (1881), where he ran a
mercantile with son James. Buried in Moore Cemetery, Frio County, Texas.
Military Service: 1842: Somervell Expedition (with brothers Elisha and James Jr.).
Susan Bernice Winters
Birth: March 2, 1827, Jefferson County, Tennessee
Death: July 1919 (age 92), location unknown (likely Texas)
Spouse: Green Berry Crane (married ~1840s)
Residence/Notes: Youngest child; settled in Old Waverly, later to
Lavaca County. Buried in Old Moulton Cemetery, Lavaca County, Texas.
Military Service: None documented.
Additional Notes:
Later Descendants in Old Waverly: The family's influence persisted;
e.g., James Knox Polk Winters (grandson of Sr., son of James Jr.) was
born December 10, 1849, in Old Waverly and died March 10, 1921, in
Oakhurst, San Jacinto County. No military service noted for him.
Family Legacy: Eight Winters fought in the Texas Revolution, earning
land grants that shaped Walker County. The family intermarried with
locals (e.g., Cude family) and faced tragedies like early deaths from
disease/migration hardships. For deeper genealogy, consult Walker
County Genealogical Society or TSHA archives
Waverly, also known as Old Waverly, was originally located in
southeastern Walker County. James W. Winters, the first settler, came
from Alabama in 1835 and cleared farmland and built a home. He was
joined by the Fishers from North Carolina in 1851. In the autumn of 1852
some 300 people from Alabama, including slaves, moved into the Waverly
area. The town was surveyed, mapped, and incorporated in 1858. According
to popular legend the town was named for the Waverly novels of Sir
Walter Scott. Some considered Waverly to belong to the South of
"moonlight, magnolias, and landed gentry." In reality it was a small
enclave of the slave-plantation system imported from central Alabama.
Waverly Institute, consisting of a male and female academy, was
established in 1856. A post office operated from 1855 until 1872. A
Masonic lodge operated from 1861 to 1865, and Methodist, Presbyterian,
and Episcopalian congregations were started in town. In September 1866 a
group of planters from Walker County met in a general store at Waverly
to discuss their labor problems and the impending harvest. The store was
owned by Meyer Levy, a Polish Jew who owned several stores in East
Texas. He had been a merchant in several states in the South and a
blockade runner in the Civil War
and was highly respected in the region. During this meeting plans were
completed to bring the first group of Polish farmworkers to East Texas.
Twelve planters formed the Waverly Emigration Society and commissioned
Levy to go to Europe and find about 150 laborers to work on their
plantations. Initially, however, only a few families came over. These Poles
and their descendents became an important cultural element in Walker
County. In 1870 San Jacinto County was formed from a part of Walker
County, including the Waverly area. At that time Waverly leaders, in
fear that the Houston and Great Northern Railroad would bring "tramps
and ignorance to the town and kill cattle," refused to give the railroad
right-of-way. In doing so they ensured the rapid demise of Waverly. The
town of New Waverly was established ten miles west of Waverly in 1870
to take advantage of the railroad and became a prosperous town. In 1896
Waverly, also called Old Waverly, had a population of 400, but only 100
were enumerated in 1925. In 1986 all that remained of Waverly was a
cemetery, a nearby Presbyterian church, and a rural subdivision called
Old Waverly, which had a population of about fifty people. Texas
historical markers were erected for Old Waverly in 1969 and for the
Waverly Cemetery in 1978. In 2000 the population was 200. TSHA
Texas State Historical Association
https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/waverly-tx
Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Waverly,_Texas
Texas Escapes
http://www.texasescapes.com/EastTexasTowns/Old-Waverly-Texas-1.htm
Find a Grave
https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/5813/old-waverly-cemetery
Old Waverly: East Texas Ghost Town
https://oldwaverlytexas.com/2019/08/18/example-post/
Ghosttowns
https://ghosttowns.com/states/tx/waverly.html
Some History of Old Waverly
http://www.countygenweb.com/txmontgomery/old_waverly_walker_county_texas.htm
Mapcarta
https://mapcarta.com/21778790
THE HISTORICAL MARKER DATABASE
https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=118946
Polish Ethnoreligion of East Texas
https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1936&context=ethj
Find a Grave
https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2705887/browder's-pasture-cemetery
Tram Bed located West of the Cemetary
