Rhoda, born on May 13,1845, is the daughter of Marmaduke Gardner and Rhoda Caroline Ussery Gardner. Rhoda was sometimes referred to as Caroline, but was known by everyone as Kate, or Aunt Kate after she became an adult. [1]
She first married Robert Weeks on August 15, 1861 in Bastrop, Texas. [2] Robert, born about 1836 in Bastrop County, Texas is the son of Joseph and Gracie Weeks.[3] Only eight months after the marriage, Robert answered the Call to Arms by the Texas Governor in 1862 enlisting at Post Oak Island, Williamson County. He mustered in at Camp Terry near Austin, Texas. He was assigned to Company C of the 17th Texas Infantry commanded by Captain Thomas H. Gatlin. Roll call cards show he was still serving in February 1863.[4] In 1910, Rhoda wrote in a newspaper article that her husband was sent home and later died in 1863 – see Rhoda Lawhon’s Newspaper Articles. Most likely he was seriously ill when sent home by the army.
Rhoda next married William Bradley Dear. Soon after a baby was born, he deserted the family before the marriage was recorded in county records. It is most likely her father, Marmaduke, married them in late 1868, or early 1869. Marmaduke was a deeply religious nationally known ordained Universalist minister. She was living in his household after the baby was born.[5][6]
This baby was Hansford Duncan Dear born August 8, 1869. The child remained with his mother. The 1870 U.S. Census erroneously listed Rhoda and the infant with the last name of Weekes.
There are records of Rhoda’s marriage to William Joseph Lawhon on December 4, 1872.[7] Also, see the Bastrop County Marriage Record in Images. Joe and Kate had nine children as listed in Texas Births and Christenings at FamilySearch - Rhoda Caroline Gardner Lawhon and in David E. Lawhon and his Descendants, 1811-1971 by Sallie Harrison.
Their children are:
Rhoda applied for a widow’s pension on December 28, 1910 based on William’s service in the Confederate Army. It was approved on January 13, 1911. See copy of application in Images.
Rhoda died on October 18, 1917 - Find A Grave: Memorial #64872951. William died on August 1, 1905 - Find A Grave: Memorial #64873026. They are buried beside each other, under a double headstone, in the Gardner-Lawhon Cemetery in Williamson County, Texas. See Cemetery Note below.
Gardner-Lawhon Cemetery: This cemetery is reported in various sources as being located in two different counties, near more than one old town and by several names. Gardner-Lawhon Cemetery is the appropriate name. It is located Williamson County just inside the Williamson and Lee County line. The land was donated by Marmaduke Gardner for the use of the Gardner and Lawhon families.
The cemetery is located inside the Down Home Ranch located at 20250 FM 619, northeast of Elgin, Texas. Visitors are welcome but must request entrance at the gate.
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Kate is 28 degrees from Herbert Adair, 23 degrees from Richard Adams, 19 degrees from Mel Blanc, 26 degrees from Dick Bruna, 19 degrees from Bunny DeBarge, 31 degrees from Peter Dinklage, 18 degrees from Sam Edwards, 17 degrees from Ginnifer Goodwin, 22 degrees from Marty Krofft, 17 degrees from Junius Matthews, 15 degrees from Rachel Mellon and 20 degrees from Harold Warstler on our single family tree. Login to find your connection.
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