Polley Family Cemetery
The Polley Family Cemetery was established in 1848 with the first interment being Emeline Elizabeth Polley James, the daughter of Joseph and Mary Polley, who died during childbirth at the age of 17. Joseph and Mary are themselves buried in the family cemetery and at Mary's death, she insisted that the plot of land on which the cemetery sits be kept in the family.
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After years of neglect, the cemetery was in need of restoration, and in 2003, John and Shirley Grammer worked tirelessly to clean up and restore the cemetery grounds. In 2005, the site was designated as a Texas State Historic Cemetery, and a marker indicating such was erected in 2006. A flag pole was erected, and flags were donated by Mary Featherston and Glenna Hamley, great granddaughters of Joseph and Mary Polley. The Texas flag few over the Alamo on the evening of May 1, 2004. In 2011, a new 'Polley Cemetery' sign was donated by Claudia and Gary Goldman, and in 2012 a new fence was put up as part of a community effort with donations of materials and time. Today the cemetery is kept cleanly mowed through annual dues from Polley Association members.
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For a listing of family members buried in the Polley Cemetery, scroll below.
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For a listing of burial locations for other Polley family members, click here.
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Installed 2006 FM 539, Wilson, Co., Texas
FM 539, Wilson Co., Texas
Installed 2006 FM 539, Wilson, Co., Texas
Family In The Cemetery
Joseph Henry Polley
December 28, 1795 to March 26, 1869
Son of Jonathan and Rachel Hubbard Polley of Whitehall, New York.
Mary Augusta Bailey Polley
June 9, 1809 to January 21, 1888
Daughter of James Britton Bailey and Edith Smith Bailey. Wife of Joseph Henry Polley
Emeline Elizabeth Polley James
May 1, 1831 to December 21, 1848
Daughter of Joseph Henry and Mary Bailey Polley. Wife of John James.
Aged 17 years, 7 months, 21 days.
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Sarah Adel Polley
March 21, 1837 to May 22, 1869
Daughter of Joseph Henry and Mary Bailey Polley.
Aged 32 years, 2 months, 1 day.
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Emeline Elizabeth James
December 21, 1848 to July 28, 1850
Daughter of John and Emeline Elizabeth Polley James.
Aged 1 year, 7 months, 7 days.
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Mary Bailey Henderson
June 4, 1861 to 1865
Daughter of Connally F. and Susan Rebecca Polley Henderson.
Aged 4 years
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Edith Houston
October 26, 1867 to August 4, 1870
Daughter of Dr. David and Harriet Roxanna Polley Houston.
Aged 2 years, 9 months, 8 days.
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George Smith Houston
July 27, 1873 to November 20, 1877
Son of Dr. David and Harriet Roxanna Polley Houston.
Aged 4 years, 3 months, 24 days.
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Susan Fletcher Brooks
September 24, 1876 to June 19, 1878
Daughter of J. D. and Susan Rebecca Polley Henderson Brooks.
Aged 1 year, 8 months, 25 days.
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Joseph Henry Polley II
1875 to 1875
Son of Joseph Egbert Polley II and Julietta Grayson Polley
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Joseph Polley Paine
July 25, 1912 to August 5, 1998
Polley Reunion held on May 3, 2008 and the family interred the ashes of Mr. Paine. Artist, Professor, Historian, and WWII Veteran.
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