DENSON (Joseph) FAMILY CEMETERY

Located 3 Mi. E.-NE of Grapeland and 2 Mi E. of US Hwy. 287 off FM 2423 in the Union Chapel Area. Follow dirt road left at Cemetery sign on FM 2423 for .6 Mi., keeping to the right when it divides, to Cemetery. Joseph Denson set aside 1.5 Ac. out of his farm for a family burial ground. Two additional Ac. were deeded for enlargement of the Cemetery, by Mr. & Mrs. W. D. Ferguson in 1977. The site is fenced and well kept.

Text from the Historical Marker reads:

DENSON CEMETERY Joseph Denson (1823-89) came to Texas from Alabama with his family in the 1830s. They were among the Predestination Baptists who settled in Houston County with the Chruch's founder, Elder Daniel Parker. Joseph married Caroline L. (Houston) (1836-1918), niece of Sam Houston, about 1851, and they had eleven children. He set aside this 1.5 acres from his flum for a family burial ground and was the first to be interred here with a marked headstone. Two additional acres were deeded to the Cemetery in 1977. The Annual Denson Family Homecoming is held here.

A census was taken 11-1977 by Maggie Lee Platt Low, a native of this area. The latest update for the 3rd Edition was made by Maggie Lee Platt Low.  Further checked for the 3rd Edition by J. B. & Syble A. Gresham on August 11, 1986.
 

ALLEN

Artice Fay; b: 2-7-1914; d: (Living); h/o Loreda

Loreda Luce; b: 8-6-1917; d: 9-6-1984; w/o Artice

ANDERSON

Cora I. (Whitaker) Chapman; b: 1895; d: 1946; w/o Lewis Chapman;

      Lloyd Anderson; dlo Elizabeth Denson & Richard Whitaker

BEESON

James Henry (Flex); b: 5-3-1897; d: 9-1-1983

Velma; b.3-21-1929; d. 12-16-1929; d/o James & Loye Zera Beeson

Loye Zera W.; b.9-4-1908; d. 1-7-1993; w/o James Henry Beeson

BLACKMON

Mary Ella; b: 2-1-1905; d: 5-12-1959; "Mother"

Tom; b: 3-3-1903; d: 4-26-1984

BLUE

Annie (Cutre); b: 1852; d: 1931; w/o Duncan; m/o Eva Ruth Blue

      Low

Duncan B.; b: 1849; d: 1932; h/o Annie; f/o Eva Ruth Blue Low

CANNON

?; b: 1897; d: 7-11-1979

CHAPMAN

Lewis; b: 1891; d: 1917; h/o Cora Whitaker Chapman (Anderson);

       s/o Sarah Denson & John Chapman "Dad"

Cora I. (Anderson); b: 1895; d: 1946; "Mother"

Durwood S.; b.8-18-1911; d. still living; h/o Winnie; s/o Lewis & Cora

       Whitaker Chapman

Winnie G.; b.6-19-1915; d. still living; w/o Durwood; d/o Major & Vera

        Ferguson Whitaker

CLARK

Melba; b: 11-5-1922; d: 12-30-1922

John Henry; b: 7-29-1894; d: 6-3-1970; h/o Pearl Smith Clark; Pvt. US Army WWI

Pearl; b. 9 -30-1898; d. 1-15-1993; w/o John Henry; d/o Ed R. & Mary C. Smith

CONN

Ledell (Pete); b: 9-19-1927; d: 6-18-1975; h/o Wanda Fay; s/o Robert

      Conn & Johnnie Carlee Lawrence, Mar. 3-5-1944 - Age: 79 Yrs.
Carlee; b. 11-29-1907; d. 9-5-1997; w/o Robert Conn; d/o John &

       Genie Williams Lawrence

Wanda Fay; b: 5-5-1927; d: (Living); w/o Ledell

Infant; B&D: 1-15-1935; s/o Robert & Johnnie Carlee

Robert; b: 9-30-1904; d: 6-13-1984; h/o Johnnie Carlee Lawrence;

       f/o Ledell

COX

Michael A., Jr.; B&D: 4-6-1976

CRAWFORD

Billie Sue; b. 11-26-1934; d. 3-30-1995; d/o Logan & Eva Platt

         McElyea

CUMMINGS

Sarepta Blue (Lucy); b.9-4-1886; d.11-1O-1986

Henry Edgar; b: 1881; d: 1969; f/o Jewel Cummings Jackson

DENSON

Caroline L. (Houston); b: 11-11-1836; d: 10-21-1918; w/oJoseph

      Denson; d/o Wilson Houston & Mary Ann Crawford (Houston)

      Denson; niece of Sam Houston; Age: 81 Yrs. 11 Mos. 7 Da.
Joseph; b: 11-12-1823; d: 2-10-1889; h/o Caroline L. Houston; s/o

      Thomas C. & Polly Denson First legible headstone bur. here

Ben (Child); b: 1873; d: 1889/1890; s/o Joseph & Caroline (about 17

      Yrs. old)

Jottie (Infant); b: No Date; d: No Date; Died as infant & possibly 1st

       grave here - no marker

Thomas; b: No Date; d: No Dates; Age: 18 Yrs. - Unmarried-s/o

       Mary Ann & John

DOTSON

William H. (Bill); b: 4-25-1863; d: 2-14-1951; h/o Lucy Brimberry
Lucy Ann (Brimberry); b: 9-12-1871; d: 6-15-1944; w/o Bill; d/o

       Elbert & Polly Brimberry

FERGUSON

Hulet Newton; b: 1826; d: 6-27-1891; h/o Lydia Elizabeth Cone Lydia Elizabeth (Cone); b: 1842; d: 1915; w/o Hulet Newton

       Ferguson

Virgil; b. 9-1892; d. 09-1899; s/o Hulet & Lydia Ferguson

Emma; b. 11-06-1880; d. 1-1892; d/o Hulet & Lydia Ferguson 

Grady; b: No Dates; d: No Dates; Marked w/seashells; s/o Ruben &

        Lora

Elsie; b: No Dates; d: No Dates; w/o Grady

Infant; b: No Dates; d: No Dates; ch/o Ruben & Lora E.
Infant; b: No Dates; d: No Dates; ch/o Ruben & Lora E.
Ruben; b: 1874; d: 1957; h/o Lora; s/o Hulet & Lydia

Lora E.; b: 1882; d: 1962; w/o Ruben

W. D. (Billy); b: 1864; d: 1948; h/o Laura T.
Laura T. (Skidmore); b: 1871; d: 1966; w/o Billy; d/o J. T. Skidmore

      & Elizabeth Denson

Infant; b: No Dates; d: No Dates; s/o W. D. (Billy) & Laura T.
Milton (Dick); b: 11-20-1906; d: 7-9-1978; Worked for Missouri-Pac.

        1923-1971

Donna Marie; b.12-19-1956; d.2-25-1992

FRISBY

Alton Jr.; b: 6- -1921; d: 8- -1922; Age: 1 Yr. 2 Mos.
 

GAMMONS

Mr. ?; b: No Dates; d: 7-10-1979;
 

GARRETT

Infant; B & D: 4-12-1929; d/o Lewis & Velma Smith Garrett

Lewis; b.8-18-1903; d. still living; h/o Velma Smith

Velma Smith; b. 1-17-1907; d. 8-20-1995; w/o Lewis Garrett

GOODNIGHT

T. Sweeny; b: 2-23-1870; d: 4-23-1936; h/o Dora Williams - "Dad"

      (Marker reads Goodknight) (Family requested correction)

Dora L. (Williams); b: 3-13-1876; d: 8-20-1957; w/o Sweeny; d/o Paul

       H. Williams; and Sallie Denson "Mama"

Jack; b: 8-24-1906; d: 2-27-1980; h/o Edna Maye (Ivy); s/o Sweeny &

       Dora "Daddy"

Edna Maye (Ivy); b: 7-23-1906; d: (Living); w/o Jack - Mar. 10-21-1923, Children: Jack, Jr., Jerry, Morris, Bob, & Jane

GRAY

Sam Alva; b: 3-21-1889; d: 8-16-1890; s/o Frank & Mattie (Martha

        Ann Denson) Gray

Ruby Ruth; b: 10-2-1893; d: 3-12-1894; d/o Frank & Mattie (Martha

        Ann Denson) Gray

HAMB

Joseph Ooe); b: 5-31-1866; d: 8-3-1937; h/o Cora; f/o Ida Ham

       Williams; (Marker reads Hamb, although family says Ham)

Cora A.; b: 10-28-1874; d: 7-26-1948; w/o Joe; m/o Ida Ham Williams Calvin - Infant; B&D: 8-7-1915

Children - 2; b: No Dates; d: No Dates; ch/o Joe & Cora

Joe Steven; b: 6-18-1956; d: 8-21-1982

J. Warnie; b: 5-19-1909; d: 1-25-1983

Flora E.; b: 6-6-1912; d. 10-22-1993 ; w/o J. Warnie - Mar. 10-19-1930

HILL

Anita J. (Oliver); b: 2-6-1933; d: 1-21-1985; d/o Evelyn Oliver - On

       marker, w/o Evelyn Oliver

HUGHES

Randy Lee; b: 8-27-1953; d: 1-7-1963

William Warner; b: 9-14-1905; d: 7-29-1978; h/o Gracie Allen - Mar. 9-

      24-1922, Children: LaVerne, LaWanda, Margie, Bill & Larry

Gracie Allen; b.4-15-1904; d. 6-26-1992; w/o Wm.Warner;
          d/o Will & Ada Skidmore Allen; s/o Ruthie Allen Parker

J. Hugh; b. 11-02-1922; d. 6-21-1990; TEC 5,USA-WWII

JACKSON

Jewel Cummings; b: 1919; d: 1949; d/o Henry Edgar Cummings &

       Ivey Blue

JONES

Tom J.; b: 9-27-1899; d: No Dates; h/o Myrtle L. - Mar. 3-8-1947 Myrtle L.; b: 8-7-1909; d: 1-3-1982; w/o Tom J.
 

LANGHAM

John Dean; b: 1-4-1944; d: 3-21-1944; s/o J. V. Langham & Dovie

       Lawrence

J. V.; b: 3-4-1913; d: 9-18-1984; h/o Dovie Lawrence

Dovie; b. 3-05-1910; d. 8-20-1992; w/o J.V. Langham; d/o John &
          Genie Williams Lawrence

LAWRENCE

Virgil Alton; b: 9-4-1904; d: 1-23-1976; h/o Bertha Anderson; s/o

       John Lawrence & Lura Eugenia (Genie) Williams

Bertha B. Anderson; b: 1-18-1904; d: 9-28-1970; w/o Virgil - Mar.

       6-16-1923

Ora Bell (Davidson); b: 4-24-1915; d: 3-27-1934; 1st w/o Wm. L. G.

       (Dock) Lawrence d/o Mrls W. P. Davidson

Morgan Texas (Tex); b: 1882; d: 1930; Bro/o J. C. Lawrence

John Coleman; b: 1-17-1876; d: 11-6-1944; h/o Lura Eugenia (Genie)

      Williams

Lura Eugenia (Genie) Williams; b: 7-19-1884; d: 7-3-1966; w/o John

        Lawrence; d/o Paul H. Williams & Sallie Denson

William L. G. (Dock); b: 10-18-1912; d: 8-1-1980; h/o Dorothy Allen;

        s/o John Lawrence & Lura Eugenia (Genie) Williams;
Dorothy D. (Allen); b: 5-28-1917; d: (Living); w/o (Dock) Lawrence Earl Edward; b: 11-27-1922; d: 2-15-1980; h/o Edna Pearl Weisinger;

        s/o John Lawrence & Lura Eugenia (Genie) Williams

Edna Pearl (Weisinger); b: 10-13-1925; d: 5-18-1982; w/o Earl

       Edward Lawrence; d/o G. W. & Callie (Matilda Caroline

       Chapman) Weisinger

Gary Earl; b. 1-20-1944; d. 12-24-1995; s/o EarI & Edna Pearl

         Lawrence - no marker

Paul Leyland  "Mutt"; b.3-22-1925; d. 12-08-1988; s/o John & Genie

        Williams Lawrence

LEE

Denzel Milton "Buddy"; b. d. 1-14-1997; 69 yrs 1 mos 1 day

LEWIS

Jo Ann; b. d. 10-07-1987; 50 yrs 7 mos 3 days

LOW

James D.; b. 10-05-1909; d. 6-1 3-1987; h/o Leatha V. Davidson;

         2nd: Maggie Lee Platt; s/o Harvey & Eva Ruth Blue Low

Leatha V. (Davidson); b: 1-2-1913; d: 2-5-1971; w/o James D. Low Baby; b: 10- -1938; d: No Dates; ch/o James & Leatha

Isaac Harvey; b: 8-1-1886; d: 11-22-1962; h/o Eva Ruth Blue; f/o

         James D.
Eva Ruth (Blue); b: 9-4-1891; d: 2-7-1981; w/o Harvey; m/oJames D;

         d/o Duncan & Annie Blue

McELYEA

Logan W.; b: 8-21-1911; d: 5-10-1984; h/o Eva Platt

Eva (Platt); b: 5-2-1909; d: (Living)

MORGAN

Winnard; b: 10-27-1913; d: 8-11-1985; h/o Docia T. - Mar. 2-8-1936 Docia T.; b: 10-6-1916; d: (Living)

Patsy Ruth; b. 10-16-1936; d. still living; w/o Thomas Stacy Morgan

Thomas Stacy; b. 12-31-1936; d. 01-11-1987; h/o Patsy Ruth;
         m.11-17-56

OLIVER

Evelyn (Shaver); b: 11-3-1910; d: (Living); d/o Wm. A. & Julia

      Shaver, "Mother" (On marker w/ Anita J. Hill)

OWENS

Bert L.; b: 1880; d: 1949; h/o Nancy Joanna Williams

Nancy Joanna (Anna); b: 1878; d: 1953; w/o Bert; d/o Paul Williams

         & Sallie Denson

Child; b: No Dates; d: No Dates; s/o Bert & Anna; rock marker

PARKER

James E. (Bud); b: 9-23-1894; d: 8-22-1974; hjo Ruthie Allen

        Parker-Mar. 5-141922, Pvt. US Army

Ruthie Ann (Allen); b: 12-15-1895; d: (Living); w/o James (Bud)

     Parker-Children: Mildred T., Anna Bell, J. K, Jr., Lucille K, Berta D.
 

PETERSON

William Alfred; b: 3-9-1904; d: 1-30-1984; h/o Benola Lawrence; s/o

        David W. Peterson & Sarah Francis Grissett

Benola (Lawrence); b: 4-27-1918; d: (Living); w/o William; d/o John

       Lawrence & Lura Eugenia Lawrence; (Also Petterson, some

       state, but not on markers)

PLATT

Tom; b: No Dates; d: No Dates; s/o John T. & Ada Platt - Rock

        marker

Ada C.; b: 11-19-1882; d: 10-26-1961; w/o John T. Platt

John T.; b: 1850; d: 1934; h/o Ada C.
Merle Ross; b: 1908; d: 1936; d/o John T. & Ada Platt

Truman L.; b: 5-27-1911; d: 8-22-1958; h/o Maggie; s/o John T. &

         Ada C.
Maggie Lee; b: 8-8-1914; d: (Living); w/o Truman; (Presently mar. to

         Jas. Low

William Henry; b: 5-20-1886; d: 5-1-1973; h/o Virgie; s/o John T. &

        Ada C.
Virginia (Davidson); b: 10-17-1894; d: 5-15-1979; w/o Henry

Aubrey H.; b: 6-8-1914; d: 10-14-1979; h/o Katy Lucille Lawrence;

        s/o Mr. Henry & Miss Virgie

Katy Lucille (Lawrence); b: 11-16-1914; d: (Living); w/o Aubrey; d/o

        John Lawrence & Lura Eugenie Williams

POOLE

Lonny; b: No Dates; d: No Dates; s/o Albert P.
Albert P.; b: 4- 9-1880; d: 1-25-1962

Albert Lloyd; b: 7-30-1933; d: 5-21-1975; PFC US Army

RANDEL

Joyce; b. 1-19-1944; d. 11-15-1990; d/o Roy & Lorene Whitaker

SHAVER

Charles Clifton; b: 9-27-1918; d: 11- -1918; s/o Edell & Edith

      (marked w/pipe & can

Julia Ann (Denson); b: 8-27-1870; d: 2-11-1954; w/o W. A. (Bill)

        Shaver; d/o Joseph Denson & Caroline L. Houston
William A (Bill); b: 8-21-1868; d: 2-26-1947; h/o Julia Denson

William Elmer; b: No Dates; d: No Dates; s/o Julia & Bill - Marked

         w/rock

Alex Odell; b: 12-14-1893; d: 3-10-1894; s/o J. W. & L. L. Shaver

Oze Ray; b: 1-26-1920; d: 3-3-1920; s/o S. J. Shaver

SKIDMORE

Arwine; b: 4-15-1898; d: 3-3-1975; h/o Cora Estell; s/o John Clayton

         Skidmore & Mary (Texie) Chapman, Br/o Arland; Children;

         Gwendolyn, Ouita, &John

Cora (Estell); b: 11-24-1898; d: (Living); w/o Arwine - Mar. 8-15-1919;

          d/o Ada Platt

Mary Elizabeth (Texie) Chapman; b: 4-15-1875; d: 8-5-1954; w/o

          John Clayton; d/o John Chapman & Sarah Ann Denson

John Clayton; b: 9-29-1869; d: 10-19-1958; h/o (Texie) Chapman;

          s/o John Turner Skidmore & Elizabeth Denson

Helen Rose; b: 3-10-1927; d: 7-14-1930; d/o Arland

Arland, Jr.; b: 1-4-1925; d: 8-13-1925; s/o Arland

Ed; b: 1-13-1881; d: 3-20-1968; h/o Bennie Elizabeth Williams; s/o

         John Clayton Skidmore & Mary (Texie) Chapman

Bennie Elizabeth; b: 5-13-1891; d: 11-19-1977; w /0 Ed; d/o Paul

          Williams & Sallie Denson; Mar. 7-31-1910

Child; b: No Dates; d: No Dates; No marker

Calvin Dewey; b: 10-31-1915; (Living); h/o Nancy; s/o Ed & Bennie Nancy T.; b: 5-11-1923; d: 2-6-1984; w/o Calvin D.
Jason - Infant; B&D: 2-6-1980; s/o C. D. Skidmore, Jr.
A Man - Name Unknown; b: No Dates; d: No Dates

Harold P. "Boots"; b. 12-10-1918; d. 12-07-1996; s/o Ed & Bennie

        Elizabeth Williams Skidmore

SMITH

B. W. (Bat); b: 1-27-1885; d: 3-3-1965; h/o Myrtle

Myrtle L.; b: 8-30-1891; d: 8-19-1978; w/o Bat

Willie A; b: 6-19-1909; d: 4-6-1977; s/o B. W. & Myrtle; h/o Rowena

Neoma (Simms); b: 1912; d: 1950; First w/o Olin Smith (Ed & Mary's

          son)

Edward Franklin; b: 12-2-1876; d: 5-4-1974; h/o Mary C.
Mary C.; b: 8-20-1876; d: 11-28-1919; w/o Edward Franklin

Infant; b: No Dates; d: No Dates; d/o Mr/s Wilburn Smith

Infant; b: No Dates; d: No Dates; s/o Mr/s Wilburn Smith

Infant; b: No Dates; d: No Dates; d/o Preston Smith

Wilburn; b: 11-10-1900; d: 5-9-1969; h/o Ruby - Mar. 1-11-1922 -

         "Daddy"

Ruby (Davidson); b: 9-16-1903; d: 3-2-1984; w/o Wilburn - "Mama"

Joyce M.; b.9-15-1926; d. still living; w/o Olan Smith; mar.4-9-50

O.E. (Olan); b.4-17-1909; d.8-9-1987; h/o Joyce M.
Rowena; b. 1-02-1910; d.6-4-1988; w/o Willie A. Smith

WASHBURN

Elizabeth (Denson); b: 7-26-1817; d: 1-12-1894; Sis/o Joseph

         Denson

WEEMS

Herra; b. 12-14-1921; d. 12-30-1993; h/o Mary Frances- m. 05-02-51 Mary Frances; b.8-12-1933; d. still living; w/o Herra Weems

WALZER

Elsie Hood; b.1O- 22-1905; d. 11-10-1988

WHITAKER

A. L.; b. 1-20-1909; d. still living; h/o Inez; m.8-31-1935

Bertie; b. d. bef. 1900; s/o Elizabeth Denson & Richard Whitaker

        [marked by rock, located near parents' graves]

Boyd L; b.9-30-1910; d. 9-05-1994; h/o Janey; s/o Major L. & Vera C.

        Ferguson Whitaker

Elven Stuard; b. 12-04-1901; d. 8-27-1987

Holly Roy; b. 12-14-1910; d. 8-31-1987; h/o Lorene

Inez; b.8-16-1918; d. 10-15-1991; w/o A. L. Whitaker

Lorene; b. 3-1897; d. no date; d/o Elizabeth Denson & Richard

       Whitaker [marked by rock, located near parents' graves]

Lorene Lee; b.4-19-1915; d. 11-27-1996; w/o Holly Roy Whitaker
Vera C. Ferguson; b.7-16-1894; d. 10-10-1992; w/o Major L.
        Whitaker; d/o W.D. & Laura Skidmore Ferguson

Will; b. 5-1892; d. no date; s/o Elizabeth Denson & Richard Whitaker

        [marked by rock, located near parents' graves]

Roy Lee; b: 5-25-1932; d: 9-19-1973

Michael David; b: 11-3-1956; d: 6-28-1959

Major L.; b: 10-19-1881; d: 11-27-1954; h/o Vera C. Ferguson; s/o

         Wilson Whitaker & Emmaline Denson

Vera C. (Ferguson); b: 7-16-1894; d: (Living); w/o Major Whitaker;

         d/o W. D. Ferguson & Laura Skidmore

No Name; b: No Dates; d: No Dates; Rock Marker

M. Elizabeth (Denson); b: 9-12-1867; d: 6-8-1935; w/o Richard

         Whitaker; d/o Joseph Denson & Caroline (Houston) Denson Richard E.; b: 5-2-1864; d: 10-19-1901; h/o Elizabeth Denson; br/o

         Wilson Whitaker

Holly Webster; b: 1-30-1889; d: 11-10-1961; h/o Cora; s/o Wilson

          Whitaker & Emmaline Denson

Cora; b: 7-20-1893; d: 9-29-1918; w/o Holly Webster Whitaker

Infant - Son; B&D: 1921

S. Edmund; b: 1-6-1886; d: 11-17-1968; h/o Velma - Mar. 10-16-1907;

          s/o Wilson Whitaker & Emmaline Denson

N. Velma; b: 10-12-1890; d: 6-19-1967; w/o Edmund Whitaker Emmaline (Denson); b: 9-23-1858; d: 6-27-1936; w/o Wilson

         Whitaker; d/o Joseph Denson & Caroline (Houston) Denson Wilson; b: 11-25-1856; d: 2-20-1937; h/o Emmaline Denson; br/o

         Richard

Sarah Louise; b: 1918; d: 1919 C. L.; b: 8-10-1879; d: 5-23-1957; h/o

         Mollie

Mollie B.; b: 9- 1889; d: 7-8-1955; w/o C. L.
Ruby Loraine; B&D: 1923

Annie Bell; b: 1912; d: 12-27-1934

Boyd L.; b: 9-30-1910; d: (Living); h/o Janey - Mar. 1-7-1933; s/o

         Major & Vera Whitaker

Janey B.; b: 5-5-1913; d: 12-8-1983; w/o Boyd L.; Children: Donald,

        Diane, & Ginger

D. B.; b: No Dates; (Living)

WHITE

Lawrence N.; b: 2-17-1909; d: (Living); h/o Mamie - Mar: 8-10-1935 Mamie M.; b: 7-16-1906; d: 2-12-1981; w/o Lawrence

WILLIAMS

Paul H.; b: 1-9-1851; d: 7-30-1922; h/o Sallie Denson

Sallie (Denson); b: 2-8-1851; d: 7-30-1929; w/o Paul Williams; d/o

         Joseph Denson & Caroline (Houston) Denson

Daniel (Dan); b: 9-24-1879; d: 3-21-1933; h/o Ida B. Ham; s/o Paul

         Williams & Sallie Denson; Rock Marker

Ida B. (Ham); b: 9-11-1891; d: d.9-8-1965; w/o Dan Williams; d/o Joe

       &  Cora Ham, Metal Marker (Illegible)

Baby; b: No Dates; d: 1915; d/o Dan Williams & Ida Hamb; Twin to

         Anna Laura

Garland Lee; b. no date; d. 4-30-1995; 75 yrs 8 mos 16 days; s/o Dan

           & Ida Ham Williams