The 147-year-old unmarked grave of Corporal William Augustus Fisk, CSA, a citizen of the Republic of Texas (before Texas became a state), and first child of Greenleaf Fisk, the “Father of Brownwood“ will be dedicated on June 21, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the Greenleaf Cemetery, Brownwood TX.
The dedication will also include a dual Republic of Texas and Confederate reenactment with color guard, riderless horse, a canteen ceremony, black rose ceremony, Confederate and Republic of Texas headstone unveiling and the San Jacinto cannon of Randy Billingsley, great-great-great grandson of Captain Jesse Billingsley.
William Fisk was born on the Runaway Scrape to his mother, Mary Ann Manlove Fisk, while his father Greenleaf was at the Battle of San Jacinto. William lived in Brownwood and had a son, Noble Bascom Fisk. William was buried in the “Boot Hill” cemetery in Brownwood and later moved to Greenleaf Cemetery when Adams Branch of the Pecan Bayou flooded.A tour of the Greenleaf Fisk house at 418 Milton Ave will follow the dedication. Greenleaf Fisk had 20 natural and step children. There are many descendants in the area. Greenleaf Fisk’s grandson was owner and publisher of the Abilene Reporter News. Another family member owned the hotel which is now the Grace Museum in Abilene.
