From Virginia to Texas: The Eastham Family
Visitors to Huntsville frequently notice the name Eastham in several places around the city. These include the Eastham Prison Farm Unit (renamed the Wainwright Unit in 2021), the Eastham-Thomason House, one of the oldest homes in Huntsville, and Eastham-Thomason Park. Even Cafe Texan, a famous downtown Huntsville restaurant, was once housed in the Eastham Building. The Eastham name was first introduced to Huntsville by Arthur Eastham, a man from Rappahannock, Virginia, who moved with his wife to Texas in 1852. [1]
During the 1800s, many American families from the eastern states were migrating west. Young people in particular followed the frontier to take advantage of cheap, abundant land affording them the ability to farm, herd livestock, and grow cash crops. It appears that Arthur Eastham took advantage of this opportunity when he moved from Virginia to Texas in 1852. This move led him and his wife, Sarah Ann Harris Eastham, to Huntsville in Walker County, where they decided to build their family. Upon their arrival, Arthur and Sarah Eastham acquired farmland to establish economic stability. In addition to being a farmer, Arthur established a general store in Huntsville, contributing to the city's development. During his time in Texas, the Easthams had several children. From 1856 to 1858, Arthur also served as sheriff. Following his stint in law enforcement, he served in the Civil War and was appointed the fourth superintendent of the Huntsville penitentiary in 1859. He served as the prison warden, overseeing daily operations and managing prisoners of war. Having left a large mark on the community, Arthur passed away in 1872. Following his death, Sarah Eastham and their children returned to Virginia. [2]
However, this was not to be the end of the Eastham presence in Huntsville. Arthur’s younger brother, Byrd Eastham, had also migrated to Huntsville. After Arthur’s death, Byrd purchased the store Arthur had established in Huntsville and continued to grow the business. The store served as a central hub for commerce, supplies, and social interaction in the city, providing essential goods to local families and farmers. Byrd married Delha Alston in 1866 and later purchased the Eastham-Thomason House in 1869. Built by James H. Thomason in 1859, the house later became known as the Eastham-Thomason House, named for both families. Throughout the late nineteenth century, Byrd Eastham maintained the Eastham family's presence in Walker County. [3]
Harris Grant Eastham, the son of Arthur and Sarah Eastham, returned to Huntsville after coming of age and began collaborating with his uncle, Byrd Eastham, in the general store originally established by his father. After Byrd’s death, Harris purchased the general store and later partnered with his brother, Luther Carroll Eastham. They established a second general store, strengthening the Eastham family’s presence in Huntsville. Harris married Florence Bradfield, and together they became active members of the Huntsville community. They participated in the First Baptist Church and the local Masonic Lodge, which reflected their religious and social lives. Harris also served as Huntsville's mayor. [4]
The Eastham family played a key role in the economic, social, and political development of Huntsville, Texas. It all began with Arthur Eastham’s migration from Virginia to the city, where he worked as a farmer, merchant, and sheriff of Huntsville, Texas. His brother, Byrd Eastham, followed him and received ownership of the Eastham-Thomason House. Harris Grant Eastham later expanded the family’s commercial interests and contributed to the city's growth, governance, and public services. The Eastham name is consequently connected to Huntsville and is preserved in historical documents, including the Eastham Family Papers housed at Sam Houston State University. [5]
Images
