In 2014 Two Pioneer Settlers Were Honored With

First Families of Hill County, Texas, 1853-1903 Certificates

Pioneer settlers 

William Andrew Underwood and John Isaac Ferguson, Sr. were honored with First Families of Hill County, Texas, 1853-1903 certificates in 2014.

The certificate program originated before the Hill County and Hillsboro Sesquicentennial Celebration and the awards ceremonies were part of the celebration in 2003. Three hundred and sixty-nine certificates have now been issued by the Hill County Genealogical Society in honor of early Hill County settlers.

William Andrew Underwood was named an ancestor in certificates issued to Donald Eugene Underwood (certificate 366), Steven Wade Underwood (certificate 367) and Kristi Lyn Hemrick Webb (certificate 368) as descendants. William Andrew Underwood was in Hill County by 1888 and came to Texas from Mississippi.

John Isaac Ferguson, Sr. was with honored with certificate 369. Bonnie Stewart Smith is his descendant. John Isaac Ferguson, Sr. was in Hill County by 1868. He was born in Texas.

Early settlers who were living in Hill County between 1853 and 1903 can be honored with a First Families of Hill County, TX 1853-1903 certificate by one of their direct descendants. To qualify, a person must prove that their ancestor settled in Hill County sometime during the first fifty years of its existence, 1853 to 1903. Evidence must also be presented to support that the applicant is a descendant of the family. It is not necessary to be a member of Hill County Genealogical Society to apply.

Applications may be obtained from HCGS website sites.rootsweb.com/~txhcgs. Click on First Family Application print PDF file to print an application. Or request an application by mail at Hill County Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 636, Hillsboro, TX 76645. Application forms are also available at Hillsboro City Library. Enclose $10 with each completed application. Approved applications are filed in the Genealogy Section of Hillsboro City Library and are a valuable resource for researchers. For information contact the society by mail or by E-mail at [email protected] . You may also call Mollie Stinson at 254 582-3242 or E-mail: [email protected] .