Whispers from the past echo here at Davenport Cemetery. This unassuming plaque marks a significant chapter in San Antonio’s history. It tells a story of William Davenport a man whose life intertwined with the very soil beneath our feet. Born in 1820 in Virginia he journeyed to Texas settling near present-day Selma. He established a home and a life building a community burial ground in 1853. This became Davenport Cemetery.
William wasn’t just a rancher. He was a community leader. Along with Robert Evans and John C Miller he founded the first public school in Selma. Imagine the children learning in that first one-room schoolhouse. William also played a key role in building a combined schoolhouse church and Masonic hall. He was a Captain in the local militia protecting settlers from Indian raids. A true pioneer.
His land extended to what is now Randolph Air Force Base. An auxiliary runway was even named Davenport Field. His legacy isn’t just about land ownership though. It’s about community and family. Davenport Cemetery reflects this. It’s the final resting place for William himself his wife Nancy and their children. His daughter Rachel Evens and her daughter Rachel Ruth are also buried here. The graves of the Foltz family are also found within the wrought iron enclosures.
Look closely at the markers. You’ll see the weathered granite the worn inscriptions. Each stone holds a story of birth and death of lives lived and loved. The cemetery itself has thirteen graves. Some enclosed in ornate wrought iron fences. Others stand alone under the open Texas sky. The layout is unique. You’ll find a large granite monument bearing the name Davenport. A Mason’s symbol is etched below.
This small cemetery is a testament to the quiet strength and perseverance of early Texas settlers. It stands as a reminder that even in the face of hardship community and family endure. So as we stand before this plaque at Davenport Cemetery remember not just the names but the stories they represent. Stories of pioneers builders and families who shaped this part of San Antonio. The whispers from the past continue to resonate reminding us of the legacies left behind.