Milam County Historical Commission
Milam County, Texas
Milam County Historical Commission - Milam County, TX
Statue of Ben Milam at Milam County, TX Courthouse
Old Junior High School Building, Rockdale, TX
Milam County Courthouse - Cameron, TX
Preserve America
                      Rice Community Marks Center of Milam County
                               Milam History by Joy Graham
                          Rockdale Reporter, September 5, 2012

Milam County is referred to as being in Central Texas so have you ever wondered where
the center spot of Milam County might be? According to a document written by Mrs. Jeff
T. Kemp, the wife of Milam County’s Judge from 1920 to 1946 that place is located in
the Rice area off Texas 36 and US 77 on County Road 241.

The Cameron Herald carried a story by Mrs. Kemp on Aug. 13, 1925, of the history of
that community.

Mrs. Kemp stated that while visiting the home of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Wesley Robison
who lived near the Rice Community School she captured the history of the family and the
community.

It seems that Mr. Robison’s field was surveyed in the 1870’s by George Wresley, who was
employed to locate the center of the county during a bitter fight between Cameron and
Rockdale for the location of the Milam County Seat.

Ben Robison was present when Mrs. Wresley planted his “Jacob’s staff” upon the exact
spot which marked the county’s center.

After much debate and Milam County Commissioners Court meetings, Cameron was named
Milam County seat.

Getting back to the Robisons and Rice Community, Ben Robison’s family had lived near
Rice School since 1868 in a home they bought from Mrs. William Rice, for whom the
community was named.

Mrs. Rice told the Robisons that near the Rice homestead where they now lived once
stood a huge Oak tree.

It was here the first Cumberland Presbyterian Sermon was preached by Rev. Killough in
1852.

The community church was organized and the Robisons recall that a service was held
under a brush arbor in 1869.

As was the custom a school house was built and this was long before the Civil War.

Continued next week.

Research:
Milam County,Texas: http://www.lksfriday.com/MILAM/milam-260.htm.
Robbie Robison Oral History (9-2-2012).

Maryjoygraham@yahoo.com      







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"Milam History"
by Mary Joy Graham
All credit for these articles goes to Joy Graham and any references mentioned in the articles.
Published in the Rockdale Reporter