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.
?, H. C. age 75 HC is assumed to be the first name |
1869 | 1964 |
?, Lousia In Memory of dates are buried |
||
Averhart, Dollie unmarked |
1872 | 1947 |
Averhart, Irene unmarked |
1880 | 1950 |
Bonner, Anna Mother |
1885 | 19?? |
Bonner, Annie Bell In memory of our mother At Rest |
Feb 4, 1912 | Feb 6, 1980 |
Bonner, Arthur | ? | Nov 27, 2003 |
Bonner, Autless Loving Husband |
Mar 15, 1903 | Mar 27, 1970 |
Bonner, Cecilia Marie unmarked |
1959 | 1981 |
Bonner, Fayette his picture is visible |
Apr 3, 1889 | Nov 13, 1968 |
Bonner, James I. Pvt US Army WWII |
Jan 21, 1892 | June 18, 1980 |
Bonner, Lady (Jones) dau of Smith & Priscilla (Thurman) Jones |
1863 | Mar 10, 1956 |
Bonner, Lucille dau of Jas & Sarah |
Aug 2, 1923 | Sept 2, 1923 |
Bonner, Mattie Lou Our Darling |
1927 | 1954 |
Bonner, Minyard | Aug 10, 1885 | ?? 21, 1949 |
Bonner, Oliver At Rest |
June 18, 1884 | Mar 10, 1947 |
Bonner, Sarah A. | Dec 20, 1891 | Mar 10, 1948 |
Bonner, Steave | Nov ??, ???? | ?? ??, 1922 |
Bonner, Sylvester Tec 5 US Army WWII |
Aug 18, 1925 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Bonner, Willis C. Our Son |
July 3, 1918 | Nov 17, 1961 |
Bonner, Willis | 1859 | Nov 28, 1934 |
Carter, James D. US Navy |
Dec 17, 1940 | Oct 19, 1979 |
Carter, Mary Jewel Precious Memories |
Oct 5, 1908 | Sept 15, 2002 |
Coleman, Charlie Father |
1886 | 1921 |
Coleman, Clifton US Army WWII |
Dec 26, 1926 | Aug 10, 1979 |
Coleman, Fannie Mother |
1892 | 1963 |
Coleman, Joush David Capps Funeral Home Marker |
1913 | 1961 |
Coleman, Louis TX Pvt 13, Co 165 Depot Brig WWI |
Nov 23, 1890 | Oct 25, 1965 |
Coleman, Paul Asleep In Jesus |
May 2, 1916 | Sept 26, 1982 |
Compton, Maggie unmarked |
1888 | 1944 |
Craw, Earl At Rest |
1927 | 1966 |
Craw, Henrietta Kelley | Feb 7, 1906 | Nov 24, 1988 |
Craw, Lula D. Mother |
1882 | 1978 |
Cyrus, Benjamin Fisher Pvt US Army WWI |
June 5, 1895 | July 9, 1975 |
Cyrus, Clara E. Emanuel Funeral Home of Teague, TX |
Sept 12, 1908 | Jan 24, 2006 |
Cyrus, Ella | Apr 13, 1870 | Apr 21, 1925 |
Cyrus, Kattie dashed years |
1868 | 1937 |
Cyrus, Sie dashed years |
1866 | ???? |
Daniels, Elvria Beloved Mother (chain) |
1902 | 1971 |
Daniels, Jim Frank TX Pvt US Army WWI |
1892 | 1966 |
Davenport, Keveron T. In His Hands Baby picture |
Oct 19, 1989 | Nov 25, 1989 |
Davis, Bettie | Oct 15, 1883 | Sept 30, 1978 |
Davis, Boston Sr. At Rest |
Feb 20, 1916 | Sept 7, 1988 |
Davis, Guy At Rest |
Oct 27, 1884 | Sept 27, 1934 |
Davis, Joyucery unmarked unreadable headstone with 1884 visible |
1884 | 1947 |
Davis, Ora Belle Gabriel Mother |
May 28, 1928 | Dec 4, 1982 |
Dunbar, Annie At Rest |
1869 | 1957 |
Dunbar, Brazula unmarked |
1898 | 1952 |
Dunbar, Will TX Pvt HO Co 24 Inf Regt WWI |
May 14, 1890 | July 16, 1970 |
Evans, A. H. Jr. unmarked |
1901 | 1928 |
Evans, A. H. Sr. Have Peace on Earth & Rest in Heaven |
July 25, 1879 | Dec 25, 1943 |
Gabriel, Bishop Simpson | Dec 3, 1907 | Apr 20, 1933 |
Gabriel, John J. double stone with Sallie Mason |
Apr 25, 1865 | July 28, 1932 |
Gabriel, John L. m. 1920 |
1869 | 1979 |
Gabriel, Lenora C. m. 1920 |
1901 | 1980 |
Gabriel, Sadealia Gone but not forgotten |
Feb 12, 1904 | Feb 17, 1916 |
Gabriel, Sallie Bell double stone with John H. |
Apr 15, 1876 | Mar 17, 1949 |
Gafney, Rafer unmarked |
1913 | 1982 |
Gafney, Virlee unmarked |
1912 | 1977 |
Goolsby, Ammie unmarked |
1845 | 1935 |
Goolsby, Nan dates currently buried |
1875 | ? |
Goolsby, Nettie unmarked |
1893 | 1957 |
Gross, Monica Evette Little Angel of Joann & Eddie Gross |
Dec 19, 1972 | Apr 30, 1975 |
Hailey, Roberta Gone but not forgotten Lot No 381 |
June 8, 1892 | Aug 31, 1967 |
Hamilton, Lillian unmarked |
Apr 4, 1921 | Mar 15, 1985 |
Hart, Daughter Daug of T. ??? Avery age 1 mo Gone But Not Forgotten |
no dates | no dates |
Hart, Infant Infant of Avery age 5 mo Gone But Not Forgotten |
no dates | no dates |
Hunter, Len E. In Loving Memory |
Oct 20, 1944 | Mar 20, 1990 |
Jackson, Andrew In Memory of In God We Live currently broken in half |
1812 | 1889 |
Jessie, Bessie | May 1, 1894 | Dec 8, 1979 |
Jessie, Patricia half buried with right side buried |
Dec 10, 1959 | Feb 2?, 1972 |
Johnson, Mary Lee | Dec 16, 1894 | Dec 5, 1985 |
Jones, Mack At Rest |
1881 | 1967 |
Jones, Maria At Rest Mother |
1886 | 1970 |
Jones, Mary | Aug 19, 1886 | May 7, 1981 |
Jones, Rainer dates are buried |
1889 | 19?? |
Jones, Willia M. unmarked |
1909 | 1981 |
Jones, Wilma unmarked |
1909 | 1977 |
Keaton, Beulah Belle m. 1940 |
Feb 1, 1913 | Apr 25, 1987 |
Keaton, Bonner B. Jr. Pvt US Army |
Feb 26, 1954 | July 5, 1993 |
Keaton, Bonner Bault Sr. m. 1940 Marker for Capps Memorial Chapel |
Nov 20, 1911 | June 30, 1985 |
Kelley, Samuel Jr. unmarked |
1902 | 1935 |
Lampkins, Angeline Gone but not forgotten |
Mar 15, 1884 | Oct 14, 1947 |
Lampkins, Cadle? Gone to Rest |
Feb 20, 1864 | May 13, 1920 |
Lampkins, Infant infant of C. ? A. N. Sleep Little One within The Tomb |
no dates | no dates |
Lee, Jossie At Rest |
1884 | 1978 |
Lee, Laura (Coleman) | 1918 | 1971 |
Lee, Mr. J. T. My Darling Husband |
Mar 31, 1910 | Sept 20, 1975 |
Lee, Mr. Leslie Unusual letter stickers |
Apr 17, 1905 | June 11, 1978 |
Lee, Mrs. Caldonia | Nov 12, 1911 | June 14, 1983 |
Lee, Primous | 1886 | 1940 |
McCain, Kaie unmarked |
1894 | 1972 |
McDonald, Mr. Justin Baker Funeral Home of Ft. Worth |
June 3, 1983 | Feb 10, 2006 |
McMullen, Annie | Jan 20, 1900 | June 12, 1996 |
McMullen, Ed At Rest |
Apr 10, 1862 | Jan 10, 1947 |
McMullen, Frank Brother |
June 6, 1906 | May 15, 1998 |
McMullen, Hillery unmarked |
1865 | Aug 26, 1961 |
McMullen, Mary At Rest |
Feb 2, 1867 | Jan 27, 1942 |
McMullen, Walter unmarked |
1888 | 1889 |
Mitchell, Morris L. double stone with blank |
Apr 5, 1932 | Sept 21, 1998 |
Norris, Elize Jane Mother |
July 10, 1889 | Nov 15, 1947 |
Norris, Irma Geen Sister |
May 10, 1914 | May 20, 1951 |
Norris, Jessie Father |
June 6, 1885 | Apr 27, 1978 |
Norris, Raydo Wilson unmarked |
1912 | 1962 |
Norris, Whitaker "Hoss" Brother |
Nov 1, 1915 | Dec 27, 1980 |
Packer, Daniel double stone with Mizellia |
1903 | 1985 |
Packer, Mizellia double stone with Daniel |
1909 | 1999 |
Perkins, Corin B. (Bonner) | July 17, 1912 | Sept 6, 1997 |
Perkins, Eulsea C. | Jan 26, 1918 | Mar 29, 1989 |
Powell, Littie | Apr 4, 1874 | Jan 17, 1947 |
Presley, Rev W.M. Gone but not forgotten |
May 7, 1879 | Feb 23, 1960 |
Rischer, Anthony cement like stone |
1899 | 1976 |
Rischer, Antie double with Henrietta |
Nov 23, 1863 | Oct 24, 1916 |
Rischer, Berneather Beloved Mother double with Sylvester |
Sept 8, 1915 | Feb 9, 1986 |
Rischer, Eunice E. PFC US Army WWII |
Aug 20, 1922 | Nov 27, 1980 |
Rischer, Henrietta double with Antie |
Oct 20, 1867 | Apr 23, 1926 |
Rischer, James Alvin | July 4, 1948 | Jan 2, 1972 |
Rischer, James unmarked |
1879 | 1957 |
Rischer, Joe Father |
Jan 18, 1884 | Nov 7, 1918 |
Rischer, Katie Mae | Nov 8, 1920 | Dec 27, 1981 |
Rischer, King Loyd | Aug 6, 1940 | Apr 18, 1972 |
Rischer, Lillian hard to read |
June ?, 1894 | Aug 2, 1896 |
Rischer, Loyd S2 US Navy WWII |
Dec 7, 1907 | Dec 10, 1985 |
Rischer, Manervia Mother duplicate stone |
Oct 5, 1886 | July 21, 1965 |
Rischer, Roosevelt hard to read |
May ?, 1902 | ?? ?, 1905 |
Rischer, Sylvester Beloved Father double with Berneather |
Dec 10, 1908 | Jan 2, 1986 |
Rischer, Virlee unmarked |
1950 | 1962 |
Roberts, Ederiti | 1800 | 1900 |
Roberts, James "Jim" Grandfather |
1869 | 1941 |
Scott, John son of F. & C. Scott Asleep in Jesus |
1876 | 1891 |
Shed, Pauline Coleman Asleep In Jesus |
Nov 15, 1950 | Sept 20, 1980 |
Washington, Ezell In Loving Memory |
Jan 11, 1923 | Oct 7, 2004 |
Washington, Shirley Mae | July 22, 1950 | June 24, 1994 |
Whitehead, Esther Mother Ever In Our Hearts |
July 29, 1958 | June 22, 2000 |
Whitehead, Floya B. unmarked |
1941 | 1981 |
Whitehead, Stanley R. SP 4 US Army |
1955 | 1980 |
Whittaker, Leora Davis dau of Mr. & Mrs. Guy Davis Gone But Not Forgotten |
? | Oct 15, 1963 |
Willis, Laura Mary | May 5, 1903 | May 27, 1982 |
Willis, Theodore R. Sr. | July 11, 1905 | Dec 23, 1977 |
Younger, Richard unmarked |
1914 | 1981 |
Other unmarked grave known of by death certificates:
Bonner, Infant infant of James Bonner |
Aug 2, 1923 | Sept 2, 1923 |
Know unmarked graves
Unmarked graves recorded in History of Freestone Co., 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, Reb. Billy
Helm, Rev. G. S.
Jones, Al
Jones, Alfred
Keaton, Carl
Keaton, Kirven
Kelley, Kittie
Kelley, Samuel Sr.
Lampkin, Amanda
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