Promoting Peace thru Preservation

Historians of Nacogdoches,

I have forwarded primary documents and a synopsis of William Goyens Jr to Dr. Abernethy and Dr. Sosebee to help promote a deeper understanding of the culture William Goyens was born into. I have spent years studying the political structure of Moore County, NC and understand why it was a hostile place for persons of color and why Goyens came to Texas. The first 20 years of his life in North Carolina is as compelling as the last decades of his life in Texas. And now we have the additional benefit of DNA. The Redbone Heritage Foundation encourages members to use the tool. We collect family histories and DNA results to reconstruct historical communities in an attempt to understand the culture the people known as Redbones, a multi-ethnic group of people of unknown origin, lived in. It is hoped the research will foster a deeper understanding of these clannish people and promote respect, understanding and peace for all people.

I'm not seeking grand monuments, parades or anything outrageously expensive in the Goyens Family Cemetery issue. I only hope the Nacogdoches historians will apply to the Texas Historical Commission to have the land where the marker once stood protected.

Dr. Prince included in her Master's Thesis:

Goyens was buried beside his wife near a large cedar tree on the Moral Creek in a Mexican cemetery approximately 3 miles from his home. The following year a fence was placed around the graves of the husband and wife. (Her source: Scrapbook of Newspaper Clippings, Eugene C. Barker Collection, UT, Austin. no date or name of paper was given)

The Centennial Marker book publication which I've already sent verified the marker was placed on the grave of Goyens. The application was prepared by Nacogdoches historians in 1936. Those historians are our best and most recent source on the location of Goyens' family cemetery and the Mexican cemetery that is there as well. I have no idea how many graves are truly there.

I believe the action of protecting the cemetery with public access will celebrate the multi-ethnic heritage in Nacogdoches. It is an act of peace, tolerance, respect and understanding. That is what my ancestral uncle tried to foster during his era. Peace and good will toward ALL, regardless of color, race, ethnicity, culture or creed. It is a noble thing to do.

Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter,

Cyndie Goins Hoelscher
5th generation great granddaughter of William Goyens, Jr.

Che la pace regni sulla terra.

Historical Cemetery Preservation Programs

Letter to Scott Sosebee, Ph.D., Jere Jackson (CHC), Archie McDonald Ph.D, F Abernathy Ph.D, Tom Middlebrook, Archeology Division Steward Program, Brian Bray, Certified Local Government Contact, Larissa Pholpot (Visionaries in Preservation Community)

William Goyens Jr's Centennial Marker was unique because only 10% of the 13,000 historic markers in the state are (were) located on burial sites. If you check with the Texas Historical Commission (THC) there are several programs enacted to protect these sites, including: Historical Texas Cemetery Designation Program (protecting cemeteries and burial sites by recording them in deed records), RIP Statewide Cemetery Survey Project (year 2000 to help locate historic cemeteries), RIP Guardian Program, recently initiated to encourage working with volunteer groups around the state for cemetery preservation methods, and the Role of County Historical Commissioners. The County Historical Commissioner (CHC) works with the THC on a variety of preservation projects, including cemeteries.

I have contacted the THC and the Constituent Communication Division for the Office of our Governor, Rick Perry where I learned the above information.

There is much work to be done. I would like to see Goyens' family cemetery preserved, honorably marked (as it once was by the Texas Centennial Commission before the marker was moved) and accessible to the public after years of abandonment. I will be in Nacogdoches September 17-20 and available to meet with you concerning your plans to cooperate with the roles you have been entrusted with in preserving the history of Nacogdoches.

Thank you,
Cyndie Goins Hoelscher

Texas PreservationsTrust Fund

08/02/08 From Cyndie Goins Hoelscher to Stephen F. Austin University History Department and City of Nacogdoches:

§ 442.015. TEXAS PRESERVATION TRUST FUND ACCOUNT

Now that I understand the history of William Goyens' Centennial Marker and how the Goyens graveyard on Goyens Hill was abandoned, I'm searching for possible solutions, because nothing is accomplished by dwelling on mistakes of the past. It is what we can do today and how it will impact tomorrow which is the most important thing. We are all in the position to correct a negligence made in the past and to become true guardians of Texas History by moving forward and being proactive about protecting the graveyard before it is completely lost to us forever.

There is a statute , § 442.015. TEXAS PRESERVATION TRUST FUND ACCOUNT, which provides for a trust fund, and says "The commission shall give priority to property the commission determines to be endangered by demolition, neglect, underuse, looting, vandalism, or other threat to the property."

This may be a starting point. I would like to see the graveyard properly marked as it once was by the Texas Centennial Commission and public accessibility to it. This action would be an appropriate way to rectify the history that has been lost and to celebrate Nacogdoches' rich multi-cultural heritage as well. It would be proud and fine statement for the oldest towne in Texas.

Thank you all for your attention to this important issue.

Goyens Family Cemetery in Nacogdoches, TX

Goyens Family Cemetery: (Information provided by Sarah Raverly of the Texas Abandoned Cemetery Project)

The online THC atlas states the marker was "Moved from gravesite to Nacogdoches County Courthouse grounds". On page 164 of "Monuments Commemorating the Centenary of Texas Independence" written by the Centennial Commission in 1938, Goyen's marker location was given as [Goyens Family Cemetery, 4 mi W of Nacogdoches] . The original marker applications were done by the Counties, then verified by 4 state historians.

It may be a cow pasture now, but it was designated as a cemetery in 1936 and upon the subsequent removal of the marker.