Freestone County, Texas Rhode Island Cemetery ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- by Carol McGee Anthony, Wilbur Thirkield (Bill) Bonner-Titus, and Eric Bonner Wood Status: Still Active Location: North of Fairfield. Near Stewards Mill. Directions: Northward on I-45 down from Fairfield towards Dallas. Go right FM 833 (about 7 miles north) going eastward and the first cemetery on the right next to a trailer is the Rhode Island Cemetery. The cemetery is at the corner of FM 833 and county road 161. Cemetery Description: There is no sign. It is enclosed with a chain-link fence and is on an irregular shaped lot. Background: Written by "Bill" Bonner-Titus, "The Rhode Island Cemetery of Fairfield is located in the Stewards Mill Community on FM 833 and CR 161, and has been in existence since the late 1800s. The exact date of its establishment is not known. However, on March 20, 1891, G. T. Bradley deeded the Rhode Island Methodist Episcoal Church an acre of land for the church. Albert Cyrus, Jesse Averhart and Dave Clark were the church's trustees involved. At the time of this writing, research hasn't found the date of the beginning of the cemetery site. Thus it is assumed that the cemetery was established after the founding of the church. During this period of our history, it weas custom for the church to take leadership in the affairs of the African American community. Rhode Island Methodist Episcoal Church was no exception. Following Emancipation, the cemeteries of the freed slaves were simple imitations of the cemeteries of their former masters. Each grave was kept with a mound of soil heaped over it. Few had tombstones. Stakes were placed at the the head and foot of the grave and large objects, such as a wagon or buggy wheel, a peculiar large stone or whatever the family could think of was used to mark the spot where the person was buried. Smaller beautiful objects were placed on the grave to decorate it. Most cemeteries were fenced with barbed wire. The care of the cemetery was a community social affair, and the people of the community looked forward to it. Church officials would choose a day to "work the cemetery" and every household would prepare a "dinner", carry hoes and other tools and flock to the cemetery. They would remove the ornaments, chop the weeds and remove fallen leaves, then they would replace the ornaments. The day ended with a feast. In the mid nineteen hundreds, we note a chnage in the care of Rhode Island Cemetery, brought about by the movement of people in search of better jobs, and by use of machines in cemetery care. In order to use machines in the cemeteries, the graves were flattened and the decorative artifacts were eliminated. Headstones became more affordable. Upright ones became popular. Later, flat ones became fashionable. Some graves that had no headstone were lost. Rhode Island Cemetery was partically fenced with chain link fencing and the remainder with barbed wire. When Rhode Island Methodist Church was merge with Jones Chapel United Methodist Church of Fairfield, Texas, the Rhode Island Cemetery Association was formed to administer the affairs of the cemetery. Some of the leaders of the church and presidents of the association were Albert Cyrus, Ned Craw, Gertrude Gabriel Land, James I. bonner, Eulasea Perkins, Minion Bonner Jr., Carlton R. Rischer, and Wilbur Thirkield Bonner-Titus. Ruby Jean Keeton Ford served more than twenty years as the secretary of the association, and Boykin Lee served the same number of years as treasurer. He has served as mover of the cemetery lawn for nearly as long." Oldest Marked Grave: 1889 Andrew Jackson Transcription Date: July 4, 2006 Notes - I would note that this graveyard has an unusual number of headstones covered with dirt that obsure dates or other data. It is almost like the cemetery is on sinking land, even though it looks stable. Could be dirt that is blown in from the nearby dirt country road. Ones indicated as "unmarked" are recorded in the History of Freestone County, Vol II, but the marker was not found. It could have been overlooked. Ten unknown markers were found. [] = editor remarks Military Abbreviations: WWII = World War II WWI = World War I Pvt = Private INF = Infantry CO = Company Brig = Brigade REGT = Regiment ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ten unidentified or unreadable markers were found. ?, H. C. 1869-1964 Age 75 [I assume HC is first name] ?, Louisa wife of Im Memory Of [dates are buried] Averhart, Dollie 1872-1947 [unmarked] Averhart, Irene 1880-1950 [unmarked] Bonner, Anna 1885-19?? Mother Bonner, Annie Bell 02/04/1912-02/06/1980 In memory of our mother At rest Bonner, Arthur ?-11/27/2003 *O* Bonner, Autless 03/15/1903-03/27/1970 Loving Husband Bonner, Cecilia Marie 1959-1981 [unmarked] Bonner, Fayette 04/03/1889-11/13/1968 [his picture is visible] Bonner, James I. 01/21/1892-06/18/1980 Private US Army WWII Bonner, Lady 1863-03/10/1956 Maiden Name: Jones. [Daughter of Smith and Priscilla (Thurman) Jones] Bonner, Lucille 08/02/1923-09/02/1923 Daughter of Jas and Sarah Bonner, Mattie Lou 1927-1954 Our Darling Bonner, Minyard 08/10/1885-??/21/1949 Bonner, Oliver 06/18/1884-03/10/1947 At Rest Bonner, Sarah A. 12/20/1891-03/10/1948 Bon[n]er, Steave 11/??/???? - ??/??/1922 Bonner, Sylvester 08/18/1925-01/22/1993 Tec 5 US Army, WWII Bonner, Willis 1859-11/28/1934 Bonner, Willis C. 07/03/1918-11/17/1961 Our Son Carter, James D. 12/17/1940-10/19/1979 US Navy Carter, Mary Jewel 10/05/1908-09/15/2002 Precious Memories Coleman, Charlie 1886-1921 Father Coleman, Clifton 12/26/1926-08/10/1979 US Army WWII Coleman, Fannie 1892-1963 Mother Coleman, Joush David 1913-1961 Capps Funeral Home Marker Coleman, Louis 11/23/1890-10/25/1965 Texas Pvt 13 Co 165 Depot Brig WWI Coleman, Paul 05/02/1916-09/26/1982 Asleep In Jesus Compton, Maggie 1888-1944 [unmarked] Craw, Earl 1927-1966 At Rest Craw, Lula D. 1882-1978 Mother Craw, Henrietta Kelley 02/07/1906-11/24/1988 Cyrus, Benjamin Fisher 06/05/1895-07/09/1975 Pvt US army WWI Cyrus, Clara E. 09/12/1908-01/24/2006 Emanuel Funeral Home of Teague, TX Cyrus, Ella 04/13/1870-04/21/1925 Cyrus, Kattie 1868-1937 [Note - dashed years] Cyrus, Sie 1866-??? [Note - dashed years] Daniels, Elvria 1902-1971 Beloved Mother [chain] Daniels, Jim F[rank] 1892-1966 Texas Pvt US Army WWI Davenport, Keveron T. 10/19/1989-11/25/1989 In His Hands [Baby Picture] Davis, Bettie 10/15/1883-09/30/1978 Davis, Boston Sr 02/20/1916-09/07/1988 At Rest Davis, Guy 10/27/1884-09/27/1934 At Rest Davis, Joyucery 1884-1947 [unmarked - could be the unreadable headstone with 1884 visible] Davis, Ora Belle Gabriel 5/28/1928-12/04/1982 Mother Dunbar, Annie 1869-1957 At Rest Dunbar, Brazula 1898-1952 [unmarked] Dunbar, Will 05/14/1890-07/16/1970 Texas Pvt HO CO 24 INF REGT WWI Evans, A. H. Sr. 7/25/1879-12/25/1943 Have Peace on Earth and Rest in Heaven Evans, A. H. Jr. 1901-1928 [unmarked] Gabriel, Bishop Simpson 12/03/1907-04/20/1933 Gabriel, John H. 04/25/1865-07/28/1932 [double with Sallie] [Mason] Gabriel, John L. 1869-1979 Married 1920 Gabriel, Lenora C. 1901-1980 Married 1920 Gabriel, Sadealia 02/12/1904-02/17/1916 Gone but not forgotten Gabriel, Sallie B[ell] 04/15/1876-03/17/1949 [double with John H] Gafney, Rafer 1913-1982 [unmarked] Gafney, Virlee 1912-1977 [unmarked] Goolsby, Ammie 1845-1935 [unmarked] Goolsby, Nan 1875-? [dates currently buried] Goolsby, Nettie 1893-1957 [unmarked] Gross, Monica Evette 12/19/1972-04/30/1975 Little Angel of Joann & Eddie Gross Hailey, Roberta 06/08/1892-08/31/1967 Lot No 381 Gone But Not Forgotten Hamilton, Lillian 04/04/1921-03/15/1985 [unmarked] Hart, Infant of Avery Age 5 Month Gone But Not Forgotten Hart, Daughter of T. ??? Avery Age One Month Gone But Not Forgotten Hunter, Len E. 10/20/1944-03/20/1990 In Loving Memory Jackson, Andrew 1812-1889 In Memory Of In God We Live [currently broken in half] Jessie, Bessie 05/01/1894-12/08/1979 Jessie, Patricia 12/10/1959-02/2?/1972 [half buried with right side buried] Johnson, Mary Lee 12/16/1894-12/05/1985 Jones, Mack 1881-1967 At Rest Jones, Maria 1886-1970 At Rest Mother Jones, Mary [08/19/]1886-[05/07/]1981 Jones, Rainer 1889-19?? [dates are buried] Jones, Willia M. 1909-1981 [unmarked] Jones, Wilma 1909-1977 [unmarked] Keaton, Beulah Belle 02/01/1913-04/25/1987 Married 1940 Keaton, Bonner Bault Sr., 11/20/1911-06/30/1985 Married 1940 Marker for Capps Memorial Chapel Keaton, Bonner B. Jr 02/26/1954-07/05/1993 Pvt US Army Kelley, Samuel Jr. 1902-1935 [unmarked] Lampkins, Angeline 03/15/1884-10/14/1947 Gone But Not Forgotten Lampkins, Cadle? 02/20/1864-05/13/1920 Gone To Rest Lampkins, Inf. of C.?? A.N. Sleep Little One Within The Tomb Lee, Mrs. Caldonia 11/12/1911-06/14/1983 Lee, Jossie 1884-1978 At Rest Lee, Mr. J. T. 03/31/1910-09/20/1975 My Darling Husband Lee, Laura [Coleman] 1918-1971 Lee, Mr. Lesile 04/17/1905-06/11/1978 [Unusual letter stickers] Lee, Primous 1886-1940 McCain, Katie 1894-1972 [unmarked] McDonald, Mr. Justin 06/03/1983-02/10/2006 Baker Funeral Home of Ft Worth McMullen, Annie 01/20/1900-06/12/1996 McMullen, Ed 04/10/1862-01/10/1947 At Rest McMullen, Frank 06/06/1906-05/15/1998 Brother McMullen, Hillery 1865-[08/26/]1961 [unmarked] *D* McMullen, Mary 02/02/1867-01/27/1942 At Rest McMullen, Walter 1888-1889 [unmarked] Mitchell, Morris L. 04/05/1932-09/21/1998 [double stone with blank] Norris, Elize Jane 07/10/1889-11/15/1947 Mother Norris, Irma Geen 05/10/1914-05/20/1951 Sister Norris, Jessie 06/06/1885-04/27/1978 Father Norris, Raydo Wilson 1912-1962 [unmarked] Norris, Whitaker "Hoss" 11/01/1915-12/27/1980 Brother Packer, Daniel 1903-1985 [double stone with Mizellia] Packer, Mizellia 1909-1999 [double stone with Daniel] Perkins, Corin B. 07/17/1912-09/06/1997 [Maiden: Bonner] Perkins, Eulsea C. 01/26/1918-03/29/1989 Presley, Rev. WM. 05/07/1879-02/23/1960 Gone But Not Forgotten Powell, Littie 04/04/1874-01/17/1947 Rischer, Anthony 1899-1976 [cement like stone] Rischer, Antie 11/23/1863-10/24/1916 [double w/ Henrietta] Rischer, Berneather 09/08/1915-02/09/1986 Beloved Mother [double w/ Sylvester] Rischer, Eunice E. [08/20/]1922-[11/27/]1980 PFC US Army WWII Rischer, Henrietta 10/20/1867-04/23/1926 [double w/ Antie] Rischer, James 1879-1957 [unmarked] Rischer, James Alvin 07/04/1948-01/02/1972 Rischer, Joe 01/18/1884-11/07/1918 Father Rischer, Katie Mae 11/08/1920-12/27/1981 Rischer, King Loyd 08/06/1940-04/18/1972 Rischer, Lillian 06/??/1894-08/02/1896 [hard to read] Rischer, Loyd 12/07/1907-12/10/1985 S2 US Navy WWII Rischer, Manervia 10/05/1886-07/21/1965 Mother [* duplicate stone *] Rischer, Roosevelt 05/??/1902-??/??/1905 [hard to read] Rischer, Sylvester 12/10/1908-01/02/1986 Beloved Father [double w/ Berneather] Rischer, Virlee 1950-1962 [unmarked] Roberts, Ederiti 1800-1900 Roberts James "Jim" 1869-1941 Grandfather Scott, John 1876-1891 Son of F & C Scott Asleep in Jesus Shed, Pauline Coleman 11/15/1950-09/20/1980 Asleep In Jesus Washington, Ezell 01/11/1923-10/07/2004 In Loving Memory Washington, Shirley Mae 07/22/1950-06/24/1994 Whitehead, Esther 07/29/1958-06/22/2000 Mother Ever In Our Hearts Whitehead, Floya B. 1941-1981 [unmarked] Whitehead, Stanley R. 1955-1980 SP 4 US Army Whittaker, Leora Davis ?-10/15/1963 Dau of Mr. & Mrs Guy Davis Gone But Not Forgotten Willis, Laura Mary [05/05/]1903-[05/27/]1982 Willis, Theodore [R. Sr.] 07/11/1905-12/23/1977 Younger, Richard 1914-1981 [unmarked] ========================================================= KNOWN UNMARKED GRAVES: Unmarked graves recorded in History of Freestone County, Vol II: Averhart, Manuel Averhart, Reuben Bonner, Clara Bonner, Euclide Coleman, Cora Belle Coleman, J. D. Cyrus, Abb Jr. Cyrus, Abb Sr. Cyrus, Cy Jr. Cyrus, Cy Sr. Cyrus, Harry Cyrus, Tommy Daniels, Izora Goolsby, Rev. Billy Helm, Rev. G. S. Jones, Al Jones, Afred Keaton, Carl Keaton, Kirven Kelley, Kittie Kelley, Samuel Sr. Lampkin, Amanada Lampkin, Lady Lampkin, Lieutenant Lampkin, Mitt Lampkin, Montgomery Lampkin, Nathaniel Lampkin, Nora Lampkin, Phenia Lampkin, Willie McCrary, J.C. McCrary, West Presley, Jack Presley, Jane Presley, Johnny Presley, Johnson Presley, Milton Presley, Rosie Rischer, Babe Rischer, Fannie Rischer, Leora Roberts, Everett Roberts, Nathan Thurman, Jim Thurman, John Thurman, Kittie Thurman, Robert Williams, Catherine -------------------------------------------------------------- Other unmarked graves known of by death certificates: Bonner, [Infant of James Bonner] 08/02/1923-09/02/1923 ========================================================= *D* = Death Record on this website *O* = Obituary on this website *P* = Photo of tombstone on this website