TXGenWeb Robertson County Books & Master's Theses

The "Carnegie" column on the right-hand side of the chart below indicates whether a copy  of the work is in the Genealogy Collection of the Carnegie Center Of Brazos Valley History, 111 North Main Street, Bryan, TX, 979.209.5630, e-mail Carnegie Center.

Books Being Written & Research Being Conducted On Robertson County

Author / Researcher Areas Of Interest
Professor
 Michael Waters		 Texas A&M University Associate Anthropology Professor Dr. Michael Waters has extensively researched Camp Hearne (Hearne's World War II prisoner of war camp) and has created a Camp Hearne website. Additional information is available at Camp Hearne Collection. As part of his on-going research, Dr. Waters wishes to hear from people who have pictures, correspondence, artifacts, any other information or items relating to the camp. If you have information relating to Dr. Waters' research that you wish to share, contact him at mwaters@tamu.edu.  Dr. Waters' book on Camp Hearne is slated for release by Texas A&M University Press in early 2003.
Professor
 Dale Baum		 Texas A&M University History Professor Dale Baum (www.tamu.edu/baum/drafts.html) is researching the genealogy & history of Robertson County's Hearne & Lewis families. Of particular interest are: Asaline Hearne, an illiterate freedwoman who immediately after the Civil War managed to test the limits to achieving racial justice in Robertson County; & Matthew Gaines, an ex-slave of Christopher Columbus "Lum" Hearne, who after slavery, served as Senator in the 12th Texas Legislature. Additional Matthew Gaines information is at www.tamu.edu/gaines/index.html. If you have information relating to Professor Baum's research that you wish to share, contact him at d-baum@tamu.edu.

Available Online

Title Of Literary Work Description Carnegie
War Activities Of
 Robertson County
 1917-1919		 By Seldon Bain Graham, 1933 University of Texas Master's Thesis. Volunteer Jo Ella Snider Parker typed a detailed index to this work. It is at Robertson County War Activities 1917-1919. Yes
History Of
 Robertson County		 By Lawrence Ward St. Clair, 1931 University Of Texas Master's Thesis.  Volunteers Jo Ella Snider-Parker  (SPJPVine@aol.com) & Kent Brunette retyped this work.  It is at History Of Robertson County. Yes
The Men & Women
 In World War II From
 Robertson County		 A copy of this book was loaned to this site by Clarence and Margaret Petty Adams.  Volunteer Jo Ella Snider-Parker (SPJPVine@aol.com) retyped this work.  It is at World War II.
[A copy of this book is needed; see below or Volunteer Opportunities.]		 Carnegie Needs Copy
Early Development
 Of Robertson County		 By Ivory Freeman Carson, 1954 North Texas State College Master's Thesis. Volunteer Jo Ella Snider-Parker (SPJPVine@aol.com) beautifully retyped this work.  This thesis is at Early Development Of Robertson County. Yes
A History Of
 Cotton Culture Along
 The Middle Brazos River		 By Manford Eugene Jones, 1939 University of New Mexico Master's Thesis. Texas A&M University History Professor Dr. Dale Baum purchased a copy of this thesis from the university's library and contributed it to this site.  It is used with permission of Manford Allen Jones, son of the author Manford Eugene Jones. This work is at Cotton Culture. Yes
Hearne On The Brazos By Norman McCarver, Sr. & Norman McCarver, Jr., Century Press of Texas, San Antonio, TX, 1958, 369 pages (including a 234-page "Biographical Sketches" section of Hearne-related individuals & their families). Price is $46 (including shipping). Contact clazhome@msn.com to make purchase arrangements (including credit card sales). Before his March 2002 death, co-author Norman Lowell McCarver Jr. granted permission for this book to be displayed at this site. It is at Hearne On The Brazos. Yes
The National Hotel By Ruth Rucker Lemming, Eakin Press, Austin.  (about Rucker family hotel in Franklin)  The author's daughter Jean Willette Lemming Chaney has granted permission for this work to be placed online at this site at National Hotel. Yes
Ghost Towns
Of Robertson County

By Mary Kathryn Spiller Briggs.  This book is at Ghost Towns Of Robertson County.

 Yes
The Irish Of
Staggers Point		 By Mary Katherine Thompson Galloway, Mary Kathryn Spiller Briggs, Marjorie DeMaret Hicks, 1973, 42 pages. This book is at The Irish Of Staggers Point. Yes
Deutsch Colony
Of New Baden		 By John George Meyer, 1882, New Baden, TX, 16-page booklet (with large fold-out map), University Of Texas At Austin, The Center For American History Collection. A copy of this booklet promoting New Baden to potential European settlers has been translated from its original old-style German to English by volunteer Jens Heik. This booklet is at Deutsch Colony Of New Baden. Yes
Robertson County
Probate Index
1838 - 1939		 This index was published in September 1941 by the Works Projects Administration.  The names of deceased persons, minors, and people who were declared non-competent mentally are neatly typed & arranged alphabetically.  Filing dates and case numbers are also provided.  This soft cover book totals 75 pages. This index is at Probate A - G, Probate H - O, & Probate P - Z. This book can be purchased online at Mountain Press for $24.50. Shipping is $3.50 for the first book plus $1.00 for each additional book. Yes
1850 Robertson
County Census		 A soft cover, spiral bound, 36-page, indexed book containing actual photocopies of the handwritten records of the 1850 Robertson County Census can be bought online for $5 plus shipping/handling from SK Publications. Scanned images of the actual handwritten census records are available at 1850 handwritten census. A typed transcript of this census is at 1850 typed census. Yes
1860 Robertson
County Census		 Compiled by Mary Collie-Cooper. A soft cover, spiral bound, 72-page list 1860 Robertson County Census information. This book is dated July 1985. Cost is $6.50 (includes shipping). Contact marycoop@tca.net to make purchase arrangements. Author Mary Collie-Cooper has granted permission to display this work online at 1860 transcript. Scanned images of the actual handwritten census records are at 1860 handwritten census. Yes
Robertson County
Marriage Bonds 1838 - 1873		 By Inez Boswell Biggerstaff, 4 volumes. These marriage bond records are at Book One, Book Two, Book Three, & Book Four. Yes
Robertson County
Tombstone Inscriptions		 By Inez Boswell Biggerstaff, 19 leaves, published between 1945 & 1968. Tombstone inscriptions & readings from Calvert, Franklin, Hearne Norwood, Owensville, & Wheelock cemeteries. This work's information has been incorporated into the lists available for the indicated cemeteries. Yes
1941 WPA
 County Inventory		 The "Historical Sketch" chapter & "Bibliography" from this work have been beautifully retyped by volunteer Darlene Klonaris for inclusion on this site.  These are at 1941 WPA County Inventory. Yes
My Tall Mountain (historical recollections of early Hearne with information on Belcher & Stewart families). By Harper C. Stewart (brother of Lutie Stewart Wilson immediately below). This work appears at My Tall Mountain. Yes
It Used To Be (historical recollections - includes many references to early Hearne)
 By Lutie Stewart Wilson (sister of Harper C. Stewart immediately above). This work appears at It Used To Be.		 Yes
Handwritten
 U.S. Census Records		 Nine years of census records totaling 3,183 pages await review at 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1890 Veterans, 1900, 1910, 1920, & 1930.  Census CDs can be purchased from SK Publications. Yes
Franklin
 General
 Store
 Ledger		 This 1892 - 1893 ledger of a general store in Franklin was purchased in 10.2002 at an e-bay auction.  It contains hundreds of surname entries, including many full names (not just initials).  This list is available at Franklin Store Ledger; see also New Baden Immigrants On Franklin Store Ledger.  The original ledger is at the Carnegie. Yes
Brief History &
 Genealogy Of The
 Hearne Family		 The 1907 revision of William T. Hearne's book, complete with the 1912 addendum, is at www.cragun.com/brian/hearne/history/index.html. Carnegie Needs Copy
History Of
 Education In
 Robertson County		 By Rhea Hughston Williams, 1933 Southern Methodist University Master's Thesis.  This work is at History Of Education In Robertson County. Yes
Utilization Of Prisoners Of War In The United States During World War II: Texas, A Case Study Robert Warren Tissing Jr. wrote this 1973 Baylor University master's thesis. Its 117 pages include information on Camp Hearne. Information is based, in part, upon oral history interviews conducted in 1972 with six Robertson County residents. This work is at Utilization Of Prisoners Of War In The United States During World War II: Texas, A Case Study. On
 Its
 Way
Port Sullivan:
 Ghost Town		 By John Martin Brockman, 1968 Texas A&M University master's thesis, 187 pages. Port Sullivan was in Milam County, just across the Brazos River from Robertson County. [A copy of this work has been obtained & the author has granted permission for it to be placed online at Port Sullivan: Ghost Town. A copy of this thesis will be donated to the Carnegie.] Yes
Calvert
 Main
 Street		 By David G. Woodcock & Daniel F. MacGilvray, a study of Calvert Main Street's history, character, condition & strategies for its preservation, Robertson County Historical Commission, 1979, 76 pages. [A copy of this work has been obtained & will be placed online at Calvert Main Street. Once online, a copy of this report will be donated to the Carnegie.] On
 Its
 Way
A Calvert Diary By Reba Rushing Alsup. Texian Press, 1983, Waco, TX.  [A copy of this book has been obtained & the author's descendants are being contacted to obtain permission to place this book online.] Yes
A Focused
  Educational Environment:
  Franklin I.S.D.
 1933 - 1942		 By Marilyn Blanche Davison Butcher. 1984 University of Texas at Austin master's thesis.  A copy of this thesis has been ordered & the author is being contacted regarding online placement.  A copy will be donated to the Carnegie. On
 Its
 Way

Commercially Available

Title Of Literary Work Description Carnegie
Lone Star Stalag:
 The Story Of The World War II German Prisoner Of War Camp Of Hearne, Texas		 By Texas A&M University Anthropology Professor Dr. Michael Waters.  This long-awaited book is now available for purchase.  Contact clazhome@msn.com for purchase information & details!
 Cost: $19.95 + $4 shipping & handling = $23.95		 Yes
Historical Recollections
 Of Robertson County

By Richard Denny Parker. Edited By Nona Clement Parker, 1954, Anson Jones Press, Salado, Texas, 254 pages, index, maps. This county history book details the development of Robertson County by the original settlers through the mid-20th century. It contains family history & historic information on Benchley, Bremond, Calvert, Franklin, Hearne, Mount Vernon, Owensville, Port Sullivan, & Wheelock. The table of contents is at Historical Recollections Of Robertson County. The Robertson County Historical Commission has reprinted this important book.
 Contact clazhome@msn.com for purchase information & details!
 Cost: $35 + $4 shipping & handling = $39.00

 Yes
Honoring Our Confederate Dead Of Robertson County By Monica R. Hague.  This book, which was given an Award by the Hill College Confederate Research Center, is available for purchase from Ericson Books, Nacogdoches, Texas, www.ericsonbooks.com.  Additional information is online at Honoring Our Confederate Dead Of Robertson County, Carnegie Needs Copy
Follks Of Robertson County By Edwin H. Cooper.  Short stories from The Franklin Advocate, The Hearne Democrat, and The Calvert Tribune newspapers.  For purchasing information, contact:  Edwin H. Cooper, 9365 Clyde Acord Road, Franklin, TX 77856, 979.828.3460, edcooper@tconline.net. Carnegie Needs Copy
A History Of
Robertson County		 By John Walter Baker. The fifth edition of this book is available for purchase through the Calvert Historical Foundation. This well written, 560-page, hard cover book is a "must have" for people researching Robertson County and its families (sample chapters on New Baden & Wootan Wells). Price is $41 (including shipping). Contact clazhome@msn.com to make purchase arrangements (including credit card sales). The table of contents for this book is at A History Of Robertson County. Yes
History Of The Snider
Family of Robertson County		 By Leonard & Daniel James Kubiak, 1987. Available for purchase online for $27.95 at www.forttumbleweed.com/sniderbook.html. Yes
Polish Footprints,
 November 1999,
 Summer 2000		 The November 1999 and Summer 2000 editions of the Polish Genealogical Society Of Texas (PGST) publication Polish Footprints are almost entirely devoted to "Poles Of Robertson County, Texas."  Copies of these issues can be purchased from PGST for $12.65 each (includes shipping and handling). For further information, go to www.pgst.org. Yes
Franklin
 Cemetery Book		 The Franklin Cemetery Association has recently published a book ($25 donation requested) that contains an up-to-date list of burials in this cemetery.  An accompanying CD (an additional $10) contains pictures of many of the tombstones.  This book does NOT include information on the adjoining Franklin North-South African American Cemetery.  To purchase a copy of this book or CD, contact Shirley Van Huss [svanhuss@txcyber.com] or write to Franklin Cemetery Association, Inc., P.O. Box 215, Franklin, TX 77856. Yes
Sam Baker
 Winston County's
 Gunfighter		 By Edward Herring. Chapter 3 of this book contains information on Limestone & Robertson Counties as well as the Baker, Bates, Brooks, Brown, & Sanders families. $23.95. E-mail en_herring@hotmail.com. [Note: Edward Herring is donating a copy of this book to the Carnegie.] Yes
Robertson County
Marriages
1838 - 1875		 Compilation by Mrs. Frances Terry Ingmire. This 1980 work contains almost 3,000 vital records.  Recordation dates, groom's surname, and bride's maiden name are listed.  Spanning almost 40 years, information is clearly typed and neatly documented.  This soft cover book, which totals 58 pages, also contains a surname index.  This book can be purchased online at Mountain Press for $14.50. Shipping is $3.50 for the first book plus $1.00 for each additional book. Yes
1844 & 1850 Robertson
County Census		 Compiled by Barbara Sanford, 3301 Chestershire, Pasadena, Texas 77503, 1993, 33 leaves. Yes
Whistle In The Piney Woods:
Paul Bremond & The Houston,
East & West Texas Railway		 By Robert S. Maxwell. University Of North Texas Press, 1999, $24.95. This book contains some information on Paul Bremond, H&TC and I&GN railroads, & no information on the town of Bremond or Robertson County. Yes
Sandbars & Sternwheelers:
 Steam Navigation
 On The Brazos		 By Pamela Ashworth Puryear & Nath Winfield Jr., With introduction by Joseph Milton Nance, Texas A&M University Press, 1976. Carnegie Needs Copy
Texian Odyssey: The Life &
 Times Of Colonel Eleazar
 Louis Ripley Wheelock		 By Mary Foster Hutchinson. Released April 2003, $24.95, Eakin Press, P. O. Box 90159, Austin, Texas 78709, 800.880.8642, www.eakinpress.com. On
 Its
 Way
Nazi Prisoners
 Of War
 In America		 By Arnold Krammer.  This book contains references to Camp Hearne on pages 64, 70, 130, 149, 171, 173, 178, 185, 261, & 267.  Excerpts of passages containing significant information about Camp Hearne as well as this book's table of contents are online at Krammer POW Book.  Additional information about this book, including sample chapters, is online at Nazi Prisoners Of War In America Book. Yes
The Lone Star
 & The Swastika:
 German POWs In Texas		 By Richard P. Walker.  The index indicates that Camp Hearne or Hearne are mentioned on the following pages of this book:  3, 12-15, 27, 40, 51, 67, 69, 74, 75, 82, 83, 88, 89, 91, 96-103, 124, 125, 127, 134, 143, 145, 146, 148, 156, 157, 167, 181, 187, & 188.  Excerpts of passages containing significant information about Camp Hearne as well as this book's table of contents are online at Walker POW Book.  Available through Eakin Press, Austin, TX.  Yes
The Reluctant Warrior:
 Former German POW
 Finds Peace In Texas		 By former Camp Hearne prisoner of war Heino R. Erichsen.  While references to Camp Hearne appear on pages 12 and 207, the description of this POW's experiences at Camp Hearne appears on pages 55 - 66.  Excerpts of passages containing significant information about Camp Hearne as well as this book's table of contents are online at Erichsen POW Book.  Offered by Eakin Press, information about this book and how to purchase it is available at The Reluctant Warrior. Yes
Papers Concerning Robertson's Colony In Texas By Malcolm D. McLean, comp. and ed., (19 vols., Arlington: University of Texas at Arlington Press, 1974-93).  Additional information, including the full text of Volume I in a searchable format, is at Robertson's Colony. Yes
Fruits & Flowers
 In The Wilderness:
  Thirty-Six Years
 In Texas & Two
 Winters In Honduras		 By Z. N. Morrell, the entire book by this early day circuit-riding preacher in Robertson's Colony is on the University of Michigan website at
Fruits & Flowers In The Wilderness.  These pages may be freely searched and displayed.  Copies of this book can be purchased from:  (1) Christian Education Coordinating Board, 333 North Washington St., Dallas, TX 75246, 214.828.5240; (2) Texas Baptist Historical Center - Museum, 10405 FM 50, Brenham, TX 77833, 409.836.5117; (3) Baylor Book Store, Box 6325, Waco, TX 76706, 817.755.2161.
 Yes

Out Of Print

Title Of Literary Work Description Carnegie
Cemeteries In
 Robertson County		 By Verna Corn Floyd & Vernelle Corn. 1980, D. Armstrong Co., Inc., Publishers & Printers, Houston, Texas, 303 pages, index, 53 cemetery lists.
 [A copy of this book is needed; see below or Volunteer Opportunities.]		 Website Needs Copy
Family Traditions By Mary L. Smart, 4-Pines Publishing Co., Bremond, TX 76629, copyright 1992.  A compilation of articles that appeared in the Calvert Tribune.  [Note: Mary L. Smart has loaned her copy of this book to this website.  Printed copies will be given to the Carnegie Library, Smith-Welch Memorial Library in Hearne, Bremond Public Library, & Robertson County Library in Franklin; selected chapters will be placed online at this site.] On
 Its
 Way
Franklin High
 School Chaparral
 Yearbooks		 Copies of pre-1919, 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1925, 1926, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1931, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938, & 1939 Franklin Chaparral yearbooks are needed to help complete the Franklin High School Library's yearbook collection and for placement online at this site.
 [Copies of books are needed; see below or Volunteer Opportunities.]		 Franklin School Needs Copies
New Baden
 School Yearbooks		 No yearbooks from the New Baden school (open through 1955) are in local libraries or online.  Records from this school are needed to complete the Franklin High School Library's yearbook collection and for placement online at this site.
 [Copies of books are needed; see below or Volunteer Opportunities.]		 Franklin School Needs Copies
Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Vol. LXXXV, No. 2, October 1981 Texas State Historical Association, Austin, TX, John S. Garner article entitled "The Saga Of A Railroad Town: Calvert Texas 1868-1918." Carnegie Needs Copy
The Land Of Beginning Again: The Romance Of The Brazos By Julien Capers Hyer. 1st Publisher: Tupper & Love, Atlanta, GA, 1952, hard cover; 2nd Publisher: Texian Press, Waco, TX, 1970, hard cover. Yes

Books & Articles Written By Local Authors, About Robertson
County & Its Residents, Or Based In Robertson County

Title Of Literary Work Description Carnegie
Joshua Beene
& God		 (loosely based upon Bald Prairie & its early citizens) By Jewel Gibson. Random House, 1946, New York, NY. Paperback By Texas A&M Press, 1997, College Station, TX. Yes
Black Gold By Jewel Gibson. Random House, 1950, New York, NY. Signet Paperback, 1951, New York, NY Yes
On She Goes (historical recollections - includes some very limited references to early Hearne), By Lutie Stewart Wilson (former Hearne, TX resident) Yes
Strings By David A. Williams (Franklin, TX resident) Yes

Church Records

A number of published and unpublished church histories are known to exist.  If you know of the existence of other Robertson County church records, please contact William Kent Brunette.

Title Of Church Record Description Carnegie
Membership Records & Minutes Of The Henry Prairie Baptist Church By Mrs. R. S. Smith, Franklin, Texas, 1956.  In the Texas Collection, Baylor University, Waco, TX. A transcript is online at Henry Prairie Baptist Church; a printed copy will also be donated to the Carnegie. On
 Its
 Way
Membership Records & Minutes Of The New Baden Little Flock Baptist Church In a private collection.  These frail church records are currently being processed for placement online at New Baden Baptist Church. The original hand-written work will be donated to the Texas Collection, Baylor University, Waco, TX. A printed transcript will be donated to the Carnegie. On
 Its
 Way
Membership Records Of The Easterly Baptist Church In a private collection. These frail church records will be processed for placement online at this site. The original hand-written work will be donated to the Texas Collection, Baylor University, Waco, TX. A printed transcript will be donated to the Carnegie. On
 Its
 Way
A History Of First Baptist Church, Calvert, 1869-1972 By The Historical Committee, Mrs. Gladys J. Casimir, Chairman.  In the Texas Collection, Baylor University, Waco, TX. Yes
A History & Reminiscences Of Bremond Grace United Methodist Church, 1861-1978 By James L. Turner. Texian Press, c 1978.  In the Texas Collection, Baylor University, Waco, TX. Carnegie Needs Copy
And The People Said:
 The History Of The
 Bremond First Baptist Church		 By Carroll, Annie Hermoine Kirkpatrick. Eakin Press, Austin, Texas, c 1982.  In the Texas Collection, Baylor University, Waco, TX. Carnegie Needs Copy
The First One Hundred Years, 1872-1972 : A History Of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Hearne H. & K. Printing & Publishing, Bryan, TX, c 1972. In the Texas Collection, Baylor University, Waco, TX. Carnegie Needs Copy
A History Of The
 Headsville Baptist Church		 ?, In a private collection. Carnegie Needs Copy

Look-ups in some of the above books may be available.

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