What echoes remain of a family’s journey to settle this land? This is the Loving, James and Margaret Plaque. It marks the story of a family’s arrival in Dallas County. This plaque commemorates James and Margaret Loving. They were early settlers here.
The Loving family’s story began far from Texas. James was born in Kentucky in 1811. Margaret was born there in 1820. They married in 1839. In 1843, they decided to move to the Republic of Texas. They sought free land and navigable rivers.
James, Margaret, their children, and slaves built a flatboat. They loaded their belongings. They traveled down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. One day their son, Henry, fell into the river. James grabbed him by the hair. He saved his life.
They reached New Orleans and went to Shreveport. There they bought oxen and wagons. They set out for Texas. They stopped in Lamar County to visit cousins. They stayed one year and planted corn. Then they moved to Dallas County. It was then part of Nacogdoches County. It was called “Three Forks of the Trinity.”
James liked the land near Rowlett Creek. It would provide food for his cattle. He received a grant of 640 acres. It was about two miles east of Rose Hill. The Loving family became the sixteenth family in Dallas County in 1844. Oliver Loving, James’ brother, arrived in 1845.
The family lived in their wagons. They cut timber and built a log house. They made a chimney from rocks and clay. For years, they got water from Rowlett Creek. They bought more land over time. They were true pioneers. They had no neighbors within 15 miles. Margaret did not see another white woman for six months. Only slaves and Tonkawa Indians were nearby.
James Loving was killed by a horse thief in 1869. The thief committed suicide. Margaret survived him by eight years. She died in 1877.
The James and Margaret Loving grave marker was moved in 1970. It came from the abandoned Housley Cemetery. It was moved to Lyons Cemetery on Barnes Bridge Road. The Dallas County Historical Commission erected this Texas Historical Survey Committee marker. It was dedicated on April 18, 1971.
The Loving, James and Margaret Plaque reminds us of their pioneering spirit. Their story is one of resilience. It reflects hard work. It also shows family. It is a vital part of Dallas County history. Take a moment to appreciate their legacy. They helped shape this community.