Burial ground located in Gonzales County, Texas....
   Bunting Cemetery receives Historical Marker
   Story and photos by Murray Montgomery
   
  Approximately 60 people were on hand Saturday, April 23, 2005, to witness the dedication of a Historic Texas Cemetery marker at the Bunting Family Cemetery located adjacent to FM 532, four miles west of Moulton. The cemetery is situated on private property in Gonzales County.

Robert E. Clark, president of the Bunting Family Cemetery Association, began the dedication ceremony by welcoming those in attendance. He thanked Moulton Mayor Kathy Koranek for her presence at the event and gave special thanks to Tim Koncaba for his dedication to maintaining the cemetery grounds. “Tim is the man without whom we could not exist,” said Clark. “He was recently named outstanding citizen of the year in Moulton, and we can understand why. He maintains the grounds for us – whenever we’ve gotten in a fix while putting this together, we just call Tim and he deals with it.”

Clark also thanked David and Amanda Fisher for their work in putting together the program and distributing copies to all those in attendance. The program includes recognition to the landowners whose property surrounds the Bunting Family Cemetery. They are Tracey and Frank Nieto, as well as, Shannon and L.A. Simper.

Following the welcoming of guests, Bunting family descendents Joe Key York, Jr. and Betty Wright Sterquell read from the scripture and expressed their thanks to those in attendance. “We’re here to honor all the generations past,” said Sterquell. “But I would like to make note of these wonderful children, of the next generation, who are with us today. It is such a pleasure to know that we have this continuity to our family.”

Charlotte Esther Kenell, descendent of Seth L. Bunting, was called upon to share some of her memories of family members. She provided some light-hearted humor by telling stories of events that took place years ago. Those in attendance seemed delighted with her presentation. Kenell also praised those who’ve worked to get the cemetery designated as a Historic Texas Cemetery. “We should thank all of the family members who have worked so hard to get this historical marker,” she said. “I love all of you and it’s a great honor to be here – this is our heritage and it’s not something to forget.”

Mayor Kathy Koranek presented a Texas flag to the Bunting family which was accepted by Robert Clark. The flag has flown over the state capitol and was sent to the group by Rep. Edmund Kuempel to commemorate the event.

The Rev. Jeff Wright Fisher conducted the services for the rededication of the cemetery, as well as the unveiling and dedication of the marker. Fisher serves as assistant rector at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Cypress, Texas. He is the son of Nelson and Nancy Wright Fisher. He is also a descendent of Zillah Bunting Wright.

The dedication ceremony concluded with the singing of “Amazing Grace” by soloist John Zimmerman.

Taking into consideration the history of the Bunting family, it is easy to understand why this group is so proud of their heritage.

Davis Bunting and his wife Martha Bowden Bunting, both of English heritage, were natives of Nash County, North Carolina. In 1846 they moved their family to Gonzales County, Texas. The family consisted of nine children, one grandchild, and a son-in-law.

After being an independent nation since 1836, Texas had just became part of the United States. The Bunting family traveled to the new State of Texas by wagon train – indications are that their route took them through Mississippi. As was common in those days, it is likely that the Buntings stayed with family and friends along the way. Sometimes these visits would be lengthy – allowing the travelers time to rest and prepare before continuing the rest of their perilous journey.

Family records indicate that the Buntings lived in three different places in Texas. They settled first in Gonzales County, south of the Guadalupe River. In 1853 they moved to another area in the Guadalupe valley and in 1857 they relocated to an area just outside of Moulton. Davis Bunting spent the rest of his life here. He died in 1885 – his wife, Martha, passed away before the family moved to the Moulton vicinity.

All three of the Bunting sons served in the Confederate army during the Civil War. John was with the highly decorated 8^th Texas Calvary, known to most as Terry’s Texas Rangers. Jefferson was with another Texas unit, Waul’s Legion, and Alanzo served with the 21^st Texas Calvary.