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Limestone County honors Historical Commission; ‘First Families’ project recognizes early settlers
Summary
At its regular meeting, the Limestone County Commissioners Court presented a Distinguished Service Award to the Limestone County Historical Commission and heard its "First Families" presentations honoring descendants of early county settlers. Three families received certificates documenting multi‑generation ties back to the county’s earliest residents.
The Limestone County Commissioners Court presented a 2025 Distinguished Service Award to the Limestone County Historical Commission and heard a multi‑part “First Families of Limestone County” presentation by commission members during the meeting.
The presentation, introduced by a member of the historical commission, identified commission members in attendance (Rachel, William Raven, Bubba McDonald and Peggy Bill) and explained the project’s eligibility standard: recognition is for direct descendants whose ancestors lived in the area that became Limestone County during the county’s first 50 years (through about 1896). The presenter said the project relies on submitted documentation and local records to validate family lines.
Certificates were presented to three recipients whose family histories were summarized for the court. The presenter traced Daniel Irving’s lineage back to Seth Curran Bates, who arrived around 1833 with the Parker party and who reportedly received Spanish land grants and served on an early Robertson County grand jury; the presenter said Daniel’s daughter Lindsay also qualified. The commission summarized William Franklin’s ancestry beginning with Steven P. Steel and described service and land records showing the family present in Limestone County by mid‑19th century; the presenter noted Hampton Steel’s later role as a local historian. The presenter also reviewed Debbie Goenar’s dual ancestry (Cotton and Connor lines), citing census and deed records spanning emancipation through the early 20th century.
The court and presenter thanked Bobby Foster for assisting with the certificate presentation and encouraged others to apply for First Families recognition through the historical commission’s online application. The presenter directed interested people to the Limestone County Historical Commission website for more information and contact details.
The award and the First Families presentations were ceremonial; no formal county policy or funding change was proposed during the item. The court then closed the presentation and moved on with the regular agenda.
