to Van Zandt County "Post Offices, Cities, Towns and People" by Kitty Wheeler of Grand Saline, TX Kitty Wheeler of Grand Saline spent several years researching the post offices, cities, towns and people of Van Zandt County. A portion of her work was published by the Van Zandt County Genealogical Society in "Histories and Biographies of Van Zandt County, Vol. II," which is still in print and available for purchase by sending a check or money order for $60 to the Van Zandt County Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 1388, Canton, TX 75103. This volume contains a portion of her post office research plus over 500 biographies of Van Zandt County citizens. Kitty Wheeler has generously given us exclusive permission to use all or part of her 500 page original manuscript. We are beginning with only part of her entire amazing work but we will complete this site as quickly as possible.
Bolder Post Office Bolder Post Office was established 31 Mar 1902, when the name of the Durant post office was changed to Bolder. The same postmaster of Durant, John F. Reynolds was appointed postmaster at Bolder 31 Mar 1902. He served until the post office was discontinued 31 Jan 1906, and moved to Martins Mill. A resident of that area said she had always thought one-half of the people of Bolder received their mail at Martins Mill, the other had received mail at Ben Wheeler. The Washington records only mention Martins Mill.
There was a general store at Bolder, possibly run by John F. Reynolds, the postmaster. Mr. Reynolds was married to Theodocia Ernest Hobbs 6 Jan 1881.
Theodocia was born 26 May 1863, in Van Zandt Co., TX, daughter of Lewis Harrison and Wincy Sides Hobbs. Lewis was born 23 Dec 1813, in South Carolina, son of William and Frances McWilliams Hobbs. They lived in Talladega Co., AL, where he married Wincy, until 1852, when he moved to the newly formed Van Zandt Co., where he received a patent for land in an area just north of Bolder. Lewis Hobbs was a prosperous farmer, owning a cotton gin and over 1200 acres of land at the time of his death on 15 Jan 1874.
The following is from the Wills Point Chronicle on 25 Jun 1903: "Boulder Bits, 20 Jun...Oat harvesting is the order of the day. Pretty good crop of oats in this section. Corn and cotton are looking nice."Dr. J.W. Williamson of Mars was called to see his sister, Delia, who is very sick.
"J.F. Reynolds has gone on the excursion to Rusk.
"Ollie Sides of Paris was visiting this place last week, after an absence of three years.
"Prof. Frank Webb has gone to Houston Co.
"J.W. Williamson had a colt to fall in an old well and drown. It was valued at $75.
"A great many of the people have the West Texas fever."
In 1904, the three following articles appeared in the Chronicle and they mention several people living in the vicinity of Bolder.Bolder, Feb. 6..."Health is improving some. Mrs. A.A. Godwin is still sick.
"Born to W.W. McWilliams and wife, a girl.
"S.A. McWilliams and family are visiting at Catfish (Henderson Co.).
"Jessie Reynolds visited Ben Wheeler first of the week, Grandina Harrington returning with her.
"School is good, Prof. Fowler and Miss Viola Beckham teachers. C.H. Collins also lost a horse by blind staggers."
Bolder, 27 Mar..."Health good in this section.
"Most people are through planting corn.
"Dick Stone's little boy fell out of W.W. McWilliams barn and broke his leg the 26th.
"Dr. Williamson is with us again, but did not come alone. He brought his better half with him. Dr. Williamson and Miss Addie Finklea were married the 17th at Llano, Texas. We wish to congratulate the doctor on winning the affections of such a sweet and intelligent lady.
"There was a musical entertainment at Mr. and Mrs. J.D. Burnett's Saturday night which was enjoyed by all.
"A crowd of young people gathered at the home of Mr. and Mrs. McWilliams Sunday evening and enjoyed singing."
Bolder, Texas, 20 Aug..."Rain is needed very badly in this section. Cotton is opening fast. W.W. McWilliams has already ginned twenty bales.
"J.H. Williamson and sister, Miss Ethel, visited Walton Sunday.
"J.B. Lawler of Canton was in our midst Saturday last.
"J.D. Burnett is sick at this writing.
"Mrs. Wilkerson of Lott, Texas, is teaching dressmaking at this place."
Many of the people who lived in the Bolder area worshiped in the "Old Liberty Church". This was a little Baptist Church located close to the Liberty Cemetery a little over one-half mile east of Bolder on Fm. Rd. 2330. If one tries to drive from this area turning north just east of the Tidmore Cemetery about a mile east of the Liberty Cemetery this writer advises taking along a good Van Zandt County map, for it would be easy to get lost. The roads are narrow and winding, but there are some beautiful farms and countryside to see as you make your way northward on these back roads coming out in Martin's Mill.
Over a hundred years ago the man gathered together to clear the land for the Liberty Cemetery and one that was there to help was a Martin's Mill resident, John Bob Wallace. Many of the pioneers that were residents of the Bolder and Martins Mill area are buried in this cemetery: John C. and wife Martha Burrage, his mother Alice Burrage, T.L. and Alice Daniel Head, Millie Ethel Head Weaver, Rev. John W. Head, Jessie Chaney, Tillman and Nancy Cox, Aaron Scales, and wife, Andy Riley, Love Riley, B.J. and Nettie Burnett and many others.
All is gone that was once this little village of Bolder, left is just a sign directing you to the Liberty Cemetery.Back to Post Offices Index Page Back to the Genealogical Research Group's Home Page You are the person to visit this page since June 7, 2006
This page last updated 26 August 2006Van Zandt County Genealogical Research Group Website
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Sibyl Creasey
