The Stanislaus County Insider
Historical cemetery abandoned.
Along Highway 132 near the historical town of La Grange is the Robert’s Ferry Cemetery. It sits on a hill overlooking the Tuolumne
river. Robert’s Ferry is under the supervision of Stanislaus County’s Parks and Recreation, yet the site appears to be abandoned
with rows of centuries old tombstones cracked and crumbling, others broke off by vandals. The graves are riddled with snakes holes,
although bigger vermin have also burrowed in. Weeds and invasive tree’s grow unchecked. The green grass that once covered the hill
is long gone.
Is this the best Stanislaus County can do for Waterford’s Founder and his family?
The town of
Waterford was Founded in 1857 by William W. Baker. William and his wife
Caroline Pinkston Baker homesteaded 160 acres
along the Tuolumne river near Appling Road Bridge, shortly after marrying in February of 1857. Waterford was first named Bakersville
then its name was changed to Waterford in 1870 after the post office complained the name was too close to Bakersfield.
The Bakers
had 7 children.
Ida Baker died when she was 17, in 1891. The inscription on her tombstone reads “The lovely bud so young and fair
called hence by early doom, just came to show how sweet a flower in paradise would bloom”
Caroline Pinkston Baker’s tombstone
reads “She is waiting for us in that glorious land beyond the sunset of life.”
William and Caroline's daughter
Alice Baker married
Civil War Veteran John A. Hayter. John Hayter was a 2nd Lt in the Union Army with
Company H. His regiment was organized in the fall of 1861. In 1864 it was mounted as a regiment of light artillery and engaged in
pursuit of General Sterling Price. (General Sterling Price was a democrat Governor of the state of Missouri. He was also a Confederate
Army Major General during the civil war.) John Hayter and Alice Baker were married December 29th 1880. They had a daughter
named Buela who died when she was 11 and two sons, Leland and William.
All are buried at the Robert’s Ferry Cemetery.
The star next to John’s tombstone reads G.A.R 1861-1865.
It is not only the resting place of one of our Founders
and their families but it is also the eternal home of Spanish American war veteran
Thomas Masilina Carson. 6th California
volunteer infantry. June 19th 1877 to December 13th, 1940.
Obituary from the Modesto Morning Herald, Sat., Aug 30, 1913
PIONEER SETTLER IS DEAD
Mathew Riley Harbert, 84 years old,
a pioneer of California, died at his home two miles north of Waterford yesterday evening about seven o'clock. Mr. Harbert came to
this State 52 years ago and has lived at the home near Waterford for 45 years. His wife died 28 years ago. He leaves four children. Mr.
Harbert will be buried by the side of his wife in the Horr's Ranch cemetery. (Now Robert's Ferry)
California Pioneer Mathew Harbert.