This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: AStanaland Surnames: Cooper, Fondren, Fonderin, Andrews, Anders, Holleman, Holman, House, Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.texas.counties.lamar/3711/mb.ashx Message Board Post: A grave marker Dedication ceremony for Dillard COOPER who died 1892-1896 will be held March 15, 2008 11 am, Llano City Cemetery, Llano Texas. This ceremony and the installation of a marble grave stone and SRT bronze marker was organized by the John O. Meusebach Chapter #48 of Sons of the Republic of Texas and the Chapter President Donald Clark, to more properly honor the service of Dillard COOPER, a soldier of the Republic of Texas. The ceremony is open to the general public, and in particular descendants of Dillard COOPER and other related Cooper family members. Several local and state dignitaries, and Newton Warzecha from the La-Bahia Museum plan to attend the dedication ceremony. NOTE: If you plan to attend, and for more information, contact SRT Chapter #48 president at clark@moment.net Dillard COOPER was born about 1811 South Carolina (Spartanburg District) to Matthew COOPER and Elizabeth Unknown on a COOPER line that settled early in North and South Carolina. Dillard COOPER married 1832 SC to Lucinda FONDREN, b about 1815 SC. When Dillard COOPER and Lucy left SC, they went to Pike County Alabama, where Dillard COOPER soon joined the Alabama Red Rovers and headed to Texas to help in the fight for Independence from Mexico. He was with the Alabama Red Rovers at La-Bahia in Goliad March 27, 1836 and was one of only 27 men who survived the massacre that took place. He later made Texas his home. COOPER who was wounded in another battle, was eventually paid a small monthly stipend by the State of Texas, but died a pauper in Llano, where he was buried. His gravestone shows that he died in 1896. Dillard COOPERs story of his escape from Goliad has been preserved in several publications and is online, including the Handbook of Texas, the Nesbitt Memorial Library in Columbus, TX and can also be found on this Texas A&M University link http://www.tamu.edu/ccbn/dewitt/goliadframe.htm In 1870, Mrs. Fannie A.D. DARDEN a writer and a neighbor of Dillard COOPER in Columbus, Colorado County Texas, recorded COOPERs recollections of the Goliad Massacre, also referred to as the FANNIN massacre, and her interviews with him are often referenced on the above sites. Note: More information about this line of COOPERs from North and South Carolina is available by replying to this posting. Dillard COOPER b 1811 Spartanburg, Thickety, SC is my ggg granduncle, a brother to my ggg grandfather Benson G. COOPER b about 1813 SC who married Delphia LINDSEY b about 1812 SC. Benson and Delphia named one of their sons Dillard L. COOPER b 1838 SC, and he is my gg grandfather. This branch of the COOPER family came 1845 to Crittenden / St Francis County Arkansas, and Dillard L. COOPER b 1838 SC is my gg grandfather in his marriage to Parthenia ANDREWS / ANDERS b 1835 Wilkes Co Georgia. She married #1 George M. HOUSE, #3 Edward HOLLEMAN / HOLMAN and #3 Dillard L.COOPER. NOTE: ATTACHED OBIT news clipping for Dillard Cooper b 1811 SC. (obit from DRT files is courtesy of Linda Barnes) ----Audrey in East TN Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.