Bonham, Texas -- It was 181 years ago that Bailey Inglish arrived in this area by oxcart and founded a settlement originally named Bois d'Arc in 1840 and later renamed to honor one of the heroes of the Alamo, James Butler Bonham. This past weekend, 28 descendants of Bailey Inglish brought their families back to Bonham to celebrate the legacy of the early frontiersman.

Pam McDonald Harrell, an Inglish descendant from Plano, holds a photo of her and her daughter taken 42 years ago at Bailey Inglish's gravesite.

Inglish family reunions have been held on occasion for many decades.  Despite a light rain falling Saturday, the family enjoyed a tour of a replica of the fort built by Bailey Inglish in 1838-1839.

The Inglish family gathers for a photo
in front of Fort Inglish.

Hosted by the Fort Inglish Society, the Inglish family spent Saturday morning at Fort Inglish Village before sitting down to a wonderful barbecue lunch prepared by Hickory BBQ and served at First Presbyterian Church.

After the meal, Inglish family members were joined by local musicians to entertain with banjo and fiddle music.

(L-R) Steve Halbrook, Patty Grill-Flaherty, James Flaherty, Karen Halbrook and Chris Cravens

The Inglish family also toured Fannin County Museum of History, one of the best small-town museums in Texas.

Bailey Inglish's great-great granddaughter, Patty Grill-Flaherty, and her husband, James Flaherty, pose by the historical marker in front of a replica of the fort constructed 180 years ago by the early frontiersman.

photos by Allen Rich