Palmer/Parmer Family Reunion

2018 Palmer/Parmer Family Reunion Scheduled for San Jacinto Battlefield Celebration

2018 Palmer/Parmer Reunion Agenda

Reunion Banquet Information and Menu

Be sure and "friend" the Parmer-Palmer Reunion page on Facebook

Hey there Palmers!

It's time for a reunion. This year we will be celebrating the reunion at the San Jacinto Battle Reenactment the weekend of April 20th thru 22nd, 2018. The admission is Free. Bring all your family, kids, and grandchildren for an eventful weekend. See the attached flyer for more details.

We have a hotel (Candlewood Suites) set up with a block of rooms with a special rate. Information and number is in the attachment. You need to call and reserve your room. Be sure to tell them your with the Palmer Reunion. We will have a meet and greet there Friday night. Bring your pictures and artifacts to share.

Saturday the reenactment will be held at the San Jacinto Battlegrounds and Monument. It's a great show and there is tons of history inside the monument. The Battleship Texas is also right across the road if you haven't seen it.

Saturday night we will have a banquet just down the street from the monument at the Monument Inn. We have Jack Edmondson who plays General Sam Houston in the reenactment as a guest speaker.

Please contact Reggie Nalley or Gene Hennigan at the numbers and emails below if you have any questions.

Please RSVP with your dinner meal selections asap for the banquet.

Thanks
Reggie Nalley
281-413-0938
txcottontop50@gmail.com
Gene Hennigan
713-516-8062
tghennigan@comcast.net

2018 Palmer/Parmer Family Reunion

2018 Palmer/Parmer Reunion

Hotel Candlewood Suites, 1300 East Blvd., Deer Park, Texas 77536 We have a block of rooms available for your stay. Please call and reserve your room in advance. Mention your with the Palmer Reunion. We also have the conference room reserved for our meet and greet here.

Banquet will be at Monument Inn, 4406 Independence Parkway South, La Porte, Texas 77571 See attached menu and prices.

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As a descendant of Martin Parmer, you are a descendant of a Signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence. The Descendants of the Signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence now have beautiful medallions for sale to display in your home or place on your ancestors' headstones. The medallions are $60 each plus $8.50 postage and available from Amber Folk, 8538 Laurel Trails Dr., Houston, Texas 77095, Ph. # 713-505-4250. You can save the postage/shipping costs if you pick your medallion up at this year's Texas Independence Day Celebration, March 3rd and 4th, 2017, at Washington on the Brazos. The medallions look like SRT and DRT medallions, but are only available to descendants of the signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence from Mexico. The first order is for only 40 medallions. So, if you want one or two, you need to order now. The first 40 may all be gone before the Descendants meet on March 3rd and 4th. See the link to the order form below.

Descendant of the Signers Medallion Order Form

Be sure and friend the Palmer/Parmer Family Reunion on Facebook!

Palmer/Parmer Reunion on Facebook

2016 Palmer/Parmer Family Reunion Set for Washington-on-the-Brazos and 180th Anniversary of Texas Independence.

We will be holding the Palmer/Parmer Family Reunion at Navasota and Washington-on-the-Brazos on the first weekend in March of 2016. The people of Texas will be celebrating the independence of Texas at Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park on March 5 and March 6, 2016. This will be the first Palmer/Parmer family reunion in three years and it will also be Texas's 180th birthday, so the 2016 reunion ought to be a big one. Activities are being planned by the descendants of the Signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence and we will be fitting these activities and the events at the Park into the reunion itinerary.

The 2016 Palmer/Parmer Reunion activities will be held in the Navasota VFW Hall located at 1575 W Washington Ave., Navasota, Texas, on Saturday, March 5, 2016 beginning at 9:00 a.m. A Lunch meal will be served at noon. We will have the VFW Hall throughout the day. Bring all your genealogy and family records to share with cousins. There will also be activities at Washington on the Brazos all day Saturday and Sunday.

A dance with a live band has been planned for the evening of March 5, 2016 by the Descendants of the Signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence at the VFW Hall to help us celebrate Texas Independence.

As an added bonus to coming to this year's 2016 Texas Independence Day celebration at Washington-on-the-Brazos, Descendants of the Signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence who are present at the Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park on March 5 or March 6, 2016 and purchase a Pioneer Family membership from the Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park Association will receive a copy of the beautiful book, "For the Love of Texas," which is an $80.00 value. As descendants of Martin Parmer, each of our families qualifies for this one-time special bonus offer. But you must be present at Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park on March 5 or March 6, 2016 and sign up for your Pioneer Family membership with the Park Association at the Park Convention Center to receive the book. No books will be mailed. You will receive the book that day. The Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park Association is trying to increase the number of Descendants who are members of the Park Association. The Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park Association works very hard year round to preserve the history and perpetuate the memory of what Martin Parmer and the other signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence did when they declared Texas independent of Mexico on March 2, 1836. The Park Association does a wonderful job of preserving the memory of Martin Parmer and let's help them do it. Come join the Washington-on-the-Brazos Park Association.

Pioneer Family Membership is $50 per year. Besides the book, "For the Love of Texas," membership includes:

* Free general admission for the family to Star of the Republic Museum, Independence Hall and Barrington Living History Farm. {Two adults plus 5 children.}

* Subscriptions to informative newsletters: Notes and The Mustang.

* Invitation to The Sundown Social, the annual Washington on the Brazos Park Association Benefit.

* Invitation to the July 4th "Fireworks on the Brazos;" private reception and viewing party on the roof of Star of the Republic Museum, plus VIP parking.

Thanks to Reunion Co-chair, cousin Tommy Palmer, we can already begin making reservations at the Comfort Inn and Suites in Navasota,Texas. To reserve a room, call Comfort Inn and Suites at (936) 825-9464. 20 Rooms have been blocked under "Palmer/Parmer Group Reunion" for each of the nights of Friday, March 4, 2016 and Saturday, March 5, 2016.

As more details become available for the 2016 Palmer/Parmer Family Reunion,we will be providing more information here. Let's get together and celebrate what Martin Parmer and the other signers of the Declaration of Independence did at Washington-on-the-Brazos - "Where Texas Became Texas!"

To assist Kameron Searle and Tommy Palmer with planning the reunion or to contribute funds to help offset the costs of putting on the reunion, contact us at ksearle1@pdq.net or tpalmer@brazoriainet.com.

*Schedule of Activities for Texas Independence Day March 5, 2016

· 10:00 a.m. Wreath Laying Ceremony (Independence Hall)
· 10:30 Fightin' Texas Aggie Band (Amphitheater)
· 10:45 Musket and Artillery Firing (Texas Army Camp)
· 11:00 "Birth of a Republic"; play (Amphitheater)
· 12:15 p.m. Professor Farquar's Medicine Show (Amphitheater)
· 1:15 Fightin' Texas Aggie Band (Amphitheater)
· 1:30 Dean Barber of the Lone Star String Band (Museum Theater)
· 2:00 Musket and Artillery Firing (Texas Army Camp)
· 2:15 "Birth of a Republic" play (Amphitheater)
· 3:00 Texas Ride for Independence Talk (Independence Hall)
· 3:30 Fightin' Texas Aggie Band (Amphitheater)
· 4:00 Professor Farquar's Medicine Show (Amphitheater)
· 4:30 Musket and Artillery Firing (Texas Army Camp)

*Schedule of Activities for Texas Independence Day March 6, 2016

· 10:00 a.m. Masonic Flag Raising Ceremony (Visitor Center)
· 10:20 Musket and Artillery Firing (Texas Army Camp)
· 10:45 Professor Farquar's Medicine Show (Museum Theater)
· 11:30 "Birth of a Republic" play (Amphitheater)
· 12:30 p.m. Musket and Cannon Firing (Texas Army Camp)
· 1:30 Texas A & M Singing Cadets (Amphitheater)
· 2:30 Washington on the Brazos State Park Assoc. Official Program (Amphitheater)
· 3:30 Descendants' Roll Call & musket salute
· 3:45 Texas Birthday Cake Cutting (Amphitheater)
· 4:00 Professor Farquar's Medicine Show (Amphitheater)

Both days: Independence Hall tours: 11a.m.,1p.m.,2p.m.,3p.m. and 4p.m.

* Schedule subject to change. Check upon arrival for updates

Descendant's Activities Scheduled for the 180th Texas Independence Day Celebration

In addition to all the activities and events planned for the general public at Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site (Convention Hall, the Star of the Republic Museum and Barrington Living History Farm), there will be plenty of additional activities and events for the Descendants of the Signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence (The Descendants) who attend this year's 180th Texas Independence Day Celebration.

Friday, March 4, 2016

On the evening of Friday, March 4, 2016 at 6:30 p.m., a reception will be held at the Star of the Republic Museum located at the Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site for the grand opening of the new museum exhibit, "A Legacy of Leadership: The Signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence." Elected as delegates to the Convention of 1836, our ancestors determined the future of Texas. The exhibit focuses on their roles as leaders and includes personal artifacts such as Sam Maverick's buckskins, a cameo of Michel Menard, oil portraits of Stephen Blount and his wife, the original diary of William Fairfax Gray and many others. The Descendants have been cordially invited to this grand opening. You do not want to miss the reception and premier of this new exhibit, so try and be at the Star of the Republic Museum Friday evening, March 4, 2016, by 6:30 p.m. Be one of the very first to see "A Legacy of Leadership: The Signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence."

Saturday, March 5, 2016

On Saturday, March 5, 2016, Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site will open at 8 a.m. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. the Conference Center at Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site will be the site of the 2016 Descendants Reunion. The Descendants will gather in the Conference Center where they will register and will receive a nametag indicating their ancestor's name. This will make it easier for you to locate cousins throughout the Park during the 180th Texas Independence Day weekend celebration. In addition to The Descendants' nametags, there will also be signs bearing the names of each of the signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence posted throughout the Conference Center to make it even easier for descendants of the same ancestor to meet with each other at the location where their ancestor's name is posted. The Conference Center will be open throughout the day for The Descendants to meet with cousins and socialize with the descendants of the other signers.

Shelby Rowan, the genealogist for the Star of the Republic Museum, will be on hand to assist The Descendants with information about applying for membership in the Star of the Republic Museum's Descendants Registry program. The Descendants Registry is the official register of the documented lineal descendants of the Signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence. Once your lineage has been documented, that information will be maintained by the Star of the Republic Museum in perpetuity. Your descendants will only have to prove their relationship to you to have their names listed. If you have not already joined the Descendant's Registry, this would be a great opportunity to do so. Also, for a fee, Ms. Rowan will prepare a printed genealogical chart of your family back to your signer ancestor. If Ms. Rowan does not have your line, you will have the opportunity to provide that information to her so the Descendants Registry can be made more complete. So bring your genealogical data if you think it would be helpful.

As all of the Descendants of the Signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence are eligible for membership in the Daughters of the Republic of Texas and the Sons of the Republic of Texas, representatives of these fine organizations will be on hand in the Conference Center with application forms and plenty of information on how you can join these wonderful lineage societies. If you have ever wondered how to join the DRT or the SRT, this is your chance.

In the Conference Center, you will also have the opportunity to purchase Descendants of the Signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence merchandise (shirts, flags, mugs, paperweights, key chains, tote bags, etc.).

All of The Descendants are strongly encouraged to join the Washington on the Brazos State Park Association (Park Association) this year for the historic 180th Texas Independence Day Celebration. This is a great way for each of you to honor what your ancestor did at Washington-on-the-Brazos. The Park Association raises and spends thousands of dollars each year to facilitate programs, celebrations, and education at Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site, Independence Hall, Barrington Living History Farm, the Star of the Republic Museum and Fanthorp Inn. For example, since the 175th Texas Independence Day Celebration in 2011, the Park Association has supported a number of The Descendants' events and activities at the Park. The Park Association has shown their strong support for The Descendants; now it's time for The Descendants to show their strong support for the Park Association and all of the great work they do in telling the story of our ancestor's accomplishments at the site Where Texas Became Texas. This is a wonderful way to support the only organization dedicated to perpetuating the memory of what your ancestor did at Old Washington.

The Pioneer Family membership level is $50 per year and includes the following benefits:

· Free general admission for the family to the Star of the Republic Museum, Independence Hall and Barrington Living History Farm. (Two adults plus 5 children)

· Subscriptions to informative newsletters: Notes and The Mustang.

· Invitation to The Sundown Social, the annual Washington on the Brazos State Park Association Benefit. This year's Sundown Social will feature recording artist Michael Martin Murphey.

· Invitation to the July 4th "Fireworks on the Brazos" private reception and viewing party on the roof of the Star of the Republic Museum, plus VIP parking

As a special added bonus for coming to this year's 180th Texas Independence Day Celebration, The Descendants who are present at the Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park on March 5 or March 6 and who purchase a membership at the Pioneer Family level or higher in the Washington on the Brazos State Park Association, will receive a free copy of the beautiful book, "For the Love of Texas," which is an $80 value. "For the Love of Texas" is a gorgeous coffee-table book featuring photographs of Texas landscapes by Timothy Wolcott. This offer will not be available to the general public. As Descendants, each of our families qualifies for this one-time special bonus when you join the Park Association during the Celebration at the Park.

At 5 p.m., the Park will close and The descendants are encouraged to grab a bite to eat in Navasota, Brenham or Chappell Hill and then come out to the Navasota VFW hall, Post #4006, 1575 W. Washington Ave. (Hwy 105), Navasota, Texas (when you get to the army tank your there), for the First Annual Descendants Dance which will begin at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free! There will be a concession stand selling drinks, chips and candy. The dance will end around 10 p.m. Be sure and bring the whole family. We'll have the party our ancestors did not get the chance to have when they were there in 1836.

Sunday, March 6, 2016

On Sunday, the Conference Center will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for all The Descendants to gather, socialize, and take advantage the resources available (Registration, Descendants Genealogist, Descendants Registry information, Descendants merchandise, SRT membership information, DRT membership information, Join the Park Association, etc) before exploring and enjoying all the activities and events at the Star of the Republic Museum, Independence Hall and Barrington Living History Farm.

At 2 p.m., the Conference Center will be closed and the Descendants will gather at the Park amphitheater for the "Roll Call"; of the names of the Signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence. The keynote speaker this year will be Texas State Senator Brandon Creighton, who is also a Descendant. Be there with your family to answer "HERE"; for your ancestor when his name is called. A messenger will also re-enact the delivery of the Travis letter from the Alamo by horseback. The Travis letter will actually be ridden across Texas to be delivered to Washington-on-the-Brazos as it originally was 180 years before on March 6, 1836.

Remember, you do not have to be on the Descendants Registry to participate in all of these events, you just need to be descendant of a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence which all of you are as descendants of Martin Parmer.

"Not only did Houston dictate the plan of attack, he led the Texans' charge to within 20 yards of the Mexican position, astride Saracen, the fine gray stallion he bought from Isom Parmer. Both horse and rider were among the first casualties of the battle; Houston's tibia was broken by a musket ball and Saracen was struck numerous times and finally collapsed."

Click here to read Sam Houston Rode a Gray Horse.

Palmer/Parmer Cousin Interviewed by TV at 2015 Washington-on-the-Brazos Celebration

Cousin Kameron Searle addresses the Descendants of the Signers at 2015 Independence Celebration

Lt. Governor Dan Patrick Speaks at Washington-on-the-Brazos 2015

Descendants of the Signers 2015 Luncheon Reservations

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Parmer Descendants Remember Ancestors

Elizabeth Parmer Chandler Monument - Glendale Cemetery in Lufkin - Photos Courtesy of Frances Vick

Descendants of Last Wife Zina Kelly Parmer Listed on Back of Elizabeth Parmer Chandler Monument

When we moved to Lufkin in 1966, my grandmother, Jennie Moren Courtney, told me that her grandmother was buried in Lufkin, that she had died while visiting family and been buried there. I went on a search for my great grandmother and found her through the archives at Oakley-Metcalf Funeral Home, now Gibson Funeral Home. There was no monument on her grave, but we knew where she was buried from their records.

These many years later, I decided if I didn't put up a monument it would never be done, so I set out to do that. First, though, I needed to establish the lineage for entry into the Daughters of the Republic of Texas as well as give correct information on the monument. So I pursued both ends, with the help for DRT membership from Johnnie Jo Dickenson of Huntsville, a fantastic researcher for whom the genealogy room of the Huntsville Library is named. We hit a snag when we could not find a connection between my grandmother and her mother, who was the Martin Parmer descendant. My grandmother had fallen between the cracks of the censuses when she would have been in their household.

While searching in the Trinity County Courthouse in Groveton for clues about this lost link and not finding anything, I happened to run across my grandfather's name in the deeds index. Curious, I looked up the deed to see what he had sold and discovered written there that J. P. Courtney and his wife, Jennie Moren Courtney, had sold 75 acres to her parents, Joel Conway Moren and Cornelia (Nelia) Chandler Moren. There it was! The connection showing my grandmother was the daughter of Cornelia. So the connection was made to satisfy DRT connections.

To be sure the following generations would not have this problem, I put the lineage from Martin Parmer on the back of the monument over my great grandmother's grave. It pleases me, that the descent is all female after Martin himself. My children insisted that I put my name on there so there would be no mistake in the lineage.

Frances Vick

Cousin Tommy Palmer and His Son Visiting the Palmer Plantation in Virginia

See Frances Goforth's Palmer/Parmer Reunion Quilt

Taylor Pendley and Frances Gorforth Display Martin Parmer Quilt in 2005

Signers Panel #37 Portraying Martin Parmer by Artist Dmitri Koustov

The Martin Parmer Pen

2011 Palmer/Parmer Family Reunion Pin

Wow!! 2011 Palmer/Parmer Family Reunion on Televison

Photo Courtesy of Cousin Angela Peterson

Some of the 160 Cousins Present at Washington-on-the-Brazos on Saturday Feb. 26, 2011

You Tube Video of Palmer/Parmer Cousins Behind Rolling Thunder Cannon and Cousin Kameron Searle Firing Rolling Thunder in Period Attire.

Special News! Texas Declaration of Independence Signed by Martin Parmer Will Be on Display in Austin, Texas Now until April 21, 2011. Click Here for Details.

Click Here for 2011 Family Reunion Schedule Flyer pdf.

Reunion Dinner Plate Order Forms pdf. - Due February 5, 2011

Tentative Schedule of Activities for Washington-on-the-Brazos

Reunion Hotel Information

Tommy Palmer Had This Artistic Rendering of Martin Parmer in Buckskin Prepared for the 2011 Reunion

More Special News: The Star of the Republic Musuem Invites the Descendants of Martin Parmer to Leave Their Comments on Their New "Signers Forum." Click Here to Leave Your Comments about the 2011 Reunion, the 175th Anniversary of the Texas Declaration of Independence and/or Palmer/Parmer Genealogy Information for Other Family Members.

175th Annivesary Texas Declaration Independence

Special Program for Descendants at Washington-on-the-Brazos, Sunday, February 27, 2011, at 2 p.m.

Click Here to See 2009 Reunion Photos !

October 9, 2010 Commemorative Program

50th Anniversary Gala of "The Alamo" World Premiere

2011 Palmer/Parmer Family Reunion Advertisement

Martin Parmer Family Tree

"Martin Parmer - Agent for Texas"

Martin Parmer's Autograph from Martin Parmer Scrip, 1836 - Collection of Kameron Searle

Martin Parmer Family Tree