Samuel Joseph Redgate

Duane's take

The official marker in Parker County tells it this way, and I'm just the one passing it along. Now, there are some markers that give you one story. This one gives you three lives braided together, and you'd better hold on.

We start with Samuel Joseph Redgate, born in England in 1800. He made his way to Texas, and whatever road brought him here, he arrived with enough standing to serve in the Legislature from 1858 to 1861. He died May 20, 1893.

That's the short version of the man, but the marker is really reaching past him toward someone else entirely. Mary Yergins-Redgate. Born in Germany, June 11, 1816.

Died in Dayton, Ohio, October 31, 1881. The marker remembers her. And the reason she's remembered here, in Parker County, Texas, is what happened in 1836.

In 1836, shortly after Mrs. Yergins was captured by Indians, a daughter was born to her. Out there, in captivity, in what is now Oklahoma, a child came into the world on August 20, 1836.

That child was Jane. Think about that for a moment. A woman taken captive, and life arriving anyway, insisting on itself in the hardest of circumstances.

The two of them. Mrs. Yergins and her newborn daughter Jane, were ransomed.

They came back. And the story kept moving. After the death of her husband, Mrs.

Yergins was married to Samuel J. Redgate, the Englishman who'd made Texas his home. That daughter, Jane, grew up to become Jane Yergins Jordt, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.

Yergins, wife of H. E. Jordt.

She lived until April 8, 1896. Three women, three countries of origin, England by way of Samuel, Germany, and what is now Oklahoma, one family, one marker, erected by the State of Texas in 1936. Some stones just stand there markin' a name.

This one's standin' guard over a whole tangled, surviving, improbable life.

What the marker says

Born in England, 1800 Member of Legislature, 1858-1861 Died May 20, 1893 Jane Yergins Jordt Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Yergins Wife of H. E. Jordt Born in what is now Oklahoma August 20, 1836 Died April 8, 1896 In Memory of Mary Yergins-Redgate Born in Germany, June 11, 1816 Died in Dayton, Ohio October 31, 1881 Shortly after Mrs. Yergins was captured by Indians in 1836 a daughter, Jane, was born and the two were ransomed Mrs. Yergins after the death of her husband was married to Samuel J. Redgate Erected by the State of Texas 1936