Sweeny Historical Markers
The Texas
Historical Commission (THC) is the state agency for historic
preservation. Established by the Texas State Legislature in 1953,
the agency was charged with the task to identify important
historic sites across the state. THC staff consults with
citizens and organizations to preserve Texas' architectural,
archeological and cultural landmarks. The agency is recognized
nationally for its preservation programs.
The THC has recognized three historic landmarks in the
Sweeny area. These landmarks are listed below.
Sweeny Cemetery
Historical Marker
The Sweeny Cemetery was recognized as a Texas Historic Landmark, Marker Number
9598, in 1966. The marker is located in the City of Sweeny on FM 524 about 0.2
miles north of CR 332 (Ashley Wilson Road) at the flag pole.
The Sweeny Cemetery
began as a family
burial ground for the Sweeny's, our founding family. Freedonia Sweeny, John
Sweeny's young daughter, was the first person to be buried at the site in
1833. The cemetery has been in use ever since by the community.
Marker Text: "Begun as family burial ground when John Sweeny, early landowner,
member of Stephen F. Austin's colony, chose this site for burial of his young
daughter, Freedonia, 1833. In use ever since by the neighborhood. Has graves of
veterans of all wars since Texas Revolution. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark -
1966."
SOURCE: The
Texas Historical Commission
The Sweeny
Plantation
Historical Marker
The Sweeny Plantation was recognized as a Texas Historic Landmark, Marker Number
9600, in 1965. The marker is located on State Highway 35 about 0.5 miles west of
Old Ocean in Brazoria County.
When John Sweeny, Sr.
came to Texas and settled in the western part of Brazoria County, he acquired
extensive land holdings. He made wooden rollers out of the native live
oaks and created a very successful sugar plantation. His subsequent
prosperity enabled him to give each of his children a plantation.
John Sweeny, Jr.,
after returning from the Texas Revolution, was given this plantation. The
plantation was located on the Polley & Chance grant of Stephen F. Austin's
original "Old Three Hundred" contract with Mexico. The house was built in
1837 by slaves using only bricks, nails, and Cypress & Ash wood made on his land.
The 30 slave cabins were made of Cypress. The plantation had its own
sawmill, sugar house, cotton gin, blacksmith shop, commissary, and a kiln for
making bricks. The residence still stands, though, considerably altered,
on Highway 35, just west of Old Ocean. It was the home of Mrs. Catherine
Bannister, a descendant of the original family, until her passing in the 1970s.
It is still owned by descendants.
Marker Text: "John Sweeny, Jr., after returning from the Texas Revolution, was
given this plantation by his father, an extensive landholder. In 1837 slaves
built the house, using only brick, nails and wood made on his land. Molasses,
cotton, sugar were produced. Still owned by descendants. (1965)"
SOURCE: The
Texas Historical Commission
Thomas Jefferson Sweeny
Historical Marker
The grave marker of Thomas Jefferson Sweeny was recognized as a Texas Historic
Landmark, Marker Number 9597, in 1936. The marker is located in the Sweeny
Cemetery in Brazoria County.
Thomas Jefferson Sweeny was born in Nashville, Tennessee in
1812, a son of John and Ann Sweeny. He came to Texas in 1833 with his father's
family and settled in what is now Brazoria County.
Thomas J. Sweeny was a member of Captain William H. Patton's
Columbia Company during the Battle of San Jacinto. He was honorably
discharged from the Texas Army on February 6, 1837. On May 27, 1841, he
was issued Donation Certificate No. 1151 for 640 acres of land for having
participated in the battle. On the same date he received Bounty
Certificate No. 9809 for 320 acres of land for having served in the army from
March 5 to June 5, 1836. On January 25, 1838, he was issued Headright
Certificate No. 167 for one-third of a league of land by the Brazoria County
Board.
Thomas J. Sweeny was married to Frances Haynie. Thomas Sweeny died in La Grange, Texas, in 1869 and was buried in the Sweeny family
cemetery in Sweeny, Brazoria County.
Marker Text: "A San
Jacinto veteran born in Tennessee, 1812; died in La Grange, Texas, 1869."
SOURCE: The
Texas Historical Commission
SOURCE: San Jacinto Museum of History
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