Wesley
ChapelWesley
Chapel
These cemetery listings give only the year of birth and death. The Van Zandt County Genealogical Society has published books with complete tombstone information listed. If you need further information concerning this or other cemeteries in Van Zandt County, Texas please visit their web site or e-mail them for information concerning their publications.
WESLEY
CHAPEL CEMETERY
written by Kathie Gilliam Pritchett * transcribed by B. Miller 1999
Wesley Chapel Cemetery is situated more the center of the community of Watkins, named to honer (sic) our first medical doctor. The boundaries of this community extended north to Caney Creek, south to Wise Store, east to Stone Point and west beyond the Blankinship farm to Cedar Creek. This cemetery was founded by the members of the Wesley Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church South, which was established before 1872. Among the Trustees in the early days were members of prominent families including: Barfields, Normans, Oldfields, Paschalls, Sewells, and Shaws. Church records from these early days have been destroyed, but deeds do exist. Members of prominent Dawson community families who are buried here are: Frank Dawson, Robert Bird (Byrd) McCaffity, Normans and J. H. Lambright.
This community was settled in mid-1800s and was well established before 1860. Many in this community were engaged in the Civil War. Veterans of that was who are buried here are: Erasmus Patrick, Arthur Rutledge Gilliam, Robert Bird McCaffity and "Texas Pvt." Ike McCaffity.
World War 1 veterans buried here are: C. P. Paschall and Homer Carlton Miller. Many veterans of World War ii are living in this community and those buried are: Robert Louis Nicholson, U. S. Navy, W. Boyd McCaffity, Private in the U. S. Army and Weldon Earl Norman, U. S. Army.
Land for the church and cemetery was acquired from M. Crosby and wife, Isabell on the 2nd day of December 1872 by deed of gift. Memorial Day is observed annually with lunch spread under the big oak trees.
A trust fund initiated by the late A. J. Paschall will provide for care in the future. Donations for maintenance of the grounds and buildings are made throughout the year, but especially during the day of memorial service.
The earliest marked grave is that of pioneer, John I Sewell, born 1849 in Alabama who died in Van Zandt County, Texas in 1870. A descendant, the late Miss Rebecca Sewell, postmistress of Wills Point, dedicated this marker.
Among the babies who died in infancy, we noted may sets of twins, particularly among the McCaffity families. Longevity was possible four some. Della Teel, daughter of A. R. Gilliam and Pairilee Jordan both lived to be ninety-nine (99).
The old tabernacle, built after 1872, was torn down and a new, small rectangular building was built of frame construction in the early fifties. At this time a chain-link fence was installed around the cemetery portion of the grounds.
For information about families buried here, please refer to Van Zandt County Histories and Biographies, Volume 1 and 2, compiled by Van Zandt County History Book Committee. The Genealogy Library in Canton is an excellent source of information and members of the genealogical society are most helpful. This library contains individual family histories as well as Programs of Watkins Homecomings, in two volumes, published under the direction of Sarah E. Norman. Kathie Gilliam Protchett's notebook, also in this library, contains additional information about the life-style in Watkins community and contains specific information about the Wesley Cahpel Methodist Church and Cemetery.
Most of the early residents were of English and Irish descent who owned tracks of land ranging upward from 150 acres. This was a harmonious place to live, where neighbors, relatives and friends shared similar characteristics. They were honest, hard working people, endowed with a keen sense of wit and humor. These men and women were forward-looking and progressive. They maintained dignity but worked hard and persevered over obstacles. Doors and minds were open. Going to church on Sunday was the way of life. Education was given a high priority. Farmers cultivated both good manners and good land. It was a friendly place. Today, many living in distant cities plan to the buried in this quite, dignified place. Wesley Chapel is a working cemetery, with new burials and new stones added every year.
| Surname | First Name | Birth | Death |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALLEN | ELIZABETH | 1842 | 1887 |
| BAKER | MALISSA | 1855 | 1894 |
| BAKER | W. J. | 1857 | 1947 |
| BARFIELD | ALICE | 1859 | 1950 |
| BARFIELD | C. L. | 1835 | 1910 |
| BARFIELD | CARRIE | 1884 | 1940 |
| BARFIELD | E. A. | 1846 | 1882 |
| BARFIELD | FLETCHER | 1838 | 1917 |
| BARFIELD | GROVER CLEVELAND | 1888 | 1888 |
| BARFIELD | HALLIE BYRON | 1884 | 1899 |
| BARFIELD | IZORA | 1853 | 1891 |
| BARFIELD | KATE H. | 1840 | 1885 |
| BARFIELD | MILTON M. | 1837 | 1887 |
| BARFIELD | T. G. | 1832 | 1877 |
| BARFIELD | THOMAS ALFRED | 1912 | NONE |
| BARFIELD | THOMAS G. | 1875 | 1933 |
| BARFIELD, SR. | H. M. | 1798 | 1883 |
| BARNETT | HAMLET M. | 1892 | 1897 |
| BARNETT | J. W. | 1829 | 1907 |
| BARNETT | JAMES B. | 1895 | 1897 |
| BARNETT | JIM C. | 1871 | 1907 |
| BARNETT | SUSAN EDNA | 1897 | 1901 |
| BARNETT | SUSAN M. | 1834 | 1907 |
| BELL | F. | 55 YRS | 1892 |
| BELL | NANCY | 1841 | 1898 |
| BLANKINSHIP | B. T. | 1848 | 1913 |
| BLANKINSHIP | CASSIE D. | 1842 | 1908 |
| BLANKINSHIP | CLARA | 1886 | 1969 |
| BLANKINSHIP | FRANK | 1880 | 1950 |
| BLANKINSHIP ERNEST M.D. | ERNEST M. D. | 1882 | 1936 |
| BLANKINSHIP-ALLEN | HATTIE | 1882 | 1950 |
| BLANTON | C. S. | 1856 | 1882 |
| BOND | C. LARY R. | 83 YRS | 1879 |
| BOUSE | CECIL BENNETT | 1906 | 1956 |
| BOWLES | CURT | B&D | 1975 |
| BOYKIN | A. H. | 1870 | 1885 |
| BOYKIN | BETTIE | 1846 | 1886 |
| BOYKIN | C. V. | 1872 | 1885 |
| BROYLES | INFANT | B&D | 1913 |
| BROYLES | J. W. | 1845 | 1890 |
| BROYLES | MARY | 1849 | 1890 |
| BRUNSON | ROBERT "BOB" | 1894 | 1976 |
| BRUNSON | VIRGIA | 1894 | 1982 |
| BULLOCK | CHARLES R. | 1868 | 1923 |
| BULLOCK | MAMIE | 1901 | 1912 |
| BULLOCK | MARY E. | 1876 | 1953 |
| BULLOCK | NEAL | 1897 | 1912 |
| BULLOCK | VIOLA M. | 1910 | 1911 |
| BURNLEY | AL TERRY | 1904 | 1976 |
| BURNLEY | C. M. | 1883 | 1959 |
| BURNLEY | JANE | 1883 | 1961 |
| BURNLEY-BOYD | ELOISE | 1908 | 1969 |
| BURNS | Wm. K. | 12 YRS | 1882 |
| CAMPBELL | M. C. | 1826 | 1901 |
| CAMPBELL | NEAL BOYD | 1860 | 1890 |
| CASTLEBERRY | J. J. | 1862 | 1908 |
| CLARK | EDNA | 1917 | 1983 |
| CLARK | ERCELL | 1907 | 1982 |
| COUNTERMAN | CALLIE | 1876 | 1899 |
| COUNTERMAN | INFANT | B&D | 1899 |
| CRISP, JR. | A. W. (Dub) | 1929 | 2000 |
| CRISP | ALVIN WESLEY | 1895 | 1971 |
| CRISP | JOHN W. | 1848 | 1897 |
| CRISP-PASCHALL | EVA MAY | 1898 | 1974 |
| CRISP-PASCHALL | PAT" | 1918 | 1938 |
| DANIELS | RODDIE | 1902 | 1983 |
| DANIELS-McCARTY | OTTIE | 1909 | 1998 |
| DAVENPORT | INFANT | B&D | 1914 |
| DAVENPORT | REBECCA FRANCIS | 1853 | 1916 |
| DAVIS | FLORENCE | 1859 | 1880 |
| DAVIS | FORT | 1894 | 1979 |
| DAVIS | INFANT | B&D | 1880 |
| DAVIS | MATTIE | 1878 | 1879 |
| DAWSON | CAMMIE | 1906 | 1912 |
| DAWSON | ELLA | 1860 | 1944 |
| DAWSON | FRANK A. | 1841 | 1903 |
| DAWSON | HENRY B. | B&D | 1890 |
| DAWSON | JIMMIE | 1878 | 1950 |
| DAWSON | LAURIE E. | 1888 | 1888 |
| DAWSON | SALLIE | 1881 | 1968 |
| DAWSON | SON | B&D | 1910 |
| DRAPER | JARRETT D. | 30 Y 4 M | 1884 |
| DREWERY | DOCK B. | 1886 | 1974 |
| DREWERY | HATTIE R. | 1899 | NONE |
| ELLENBERGER | PAUL GEORGE | 1895 | 1955 |
| ELLENBERGER-MARSH | MINNIE | 1902 | 1989 |
| FANNIN | ALLEN PETER | 1904 | 1967 |
| FANNINE | JOHN ANDREW | 1953 | 1977 |
| FLETCHER | ELLIOTT I. | 1874 | 1965 |
| FLETCHER | JOHNIE L. | 1872 | 1909 |
| FLOWERS | LORENE E. | 1907 | 1989 |
| FLOWERS | PETE | 1899 | 1983 |
| FREEMAN | MATTIE | 1883 | 1900 |
| GIBSON | JAMES F. | 1890 | 1891 |
| GIBSON | ROBERT L. | 1889 | 1890 |
| GILLIAM | ARTHUR RUTLEDGE | 1836 | 1890 |
| GILLIAM | LAWRENCE M. | 1885 | 1968 |
| GILLIAM | MARTHA J. | 1840 | 1883 |
| GILLIAM | PRESTON | 1874 | 1945 |
| GILLIAM-VanZANDT-PASCHALL | KATIE | 1889 | 1967 |
| GILLIAM-WAITS-WHITE | CHRISTINA T | 1855 | 1908 |
| GRAY | HATTIE E. | 1871 | 1877 |
| HARDY | C. C. | 1868 | 1883 |
| HARDY | W. H. | 1864 | 1895 |
| HAYNES | E. S. | 1815 | 1900 |
| HAYNES | MARY J. | 1836 | 1904 |
| HENDERSON | B. J. | 1853 | 1945 |
| HENSLEY | ELIZ A. | NONE | 1888 |
| HENSLEY | W. J. | 1836 | 1892 |
| HERRIN | A. ORIN | 1897 | 1936 |
| HERRIN | EUNICE F. | 1901 | 1921 |
| HERRIN | IDA V. | 1871 | 1929 |
| HERRIN | NANNIE F. | 1869 | 1898 |
| HERRIN | RAYMON | 1919 | 1927 |
| HERRIN | WILLIAM B. | 1869 | 1933 |
| HERSCHELL | NONE | 1909 | 1913 |
| HOLMES | RICHARD EARL | 1947 | 1947 |
| HUBBARD | FREDDIE D. | 1880 | 1881 |
| HUBBARD | INFANT | B&D | 1884 |
| HUBBARD | JULIA C. | 1843 | 1902 |
| HUBBARD | LITTLE FANNIE | 1884 | 1886 |
| HUBBARD | MARY E. | 1886 | 1888 |
| HUGHEN | RUFUS H. | 1902 | 1975 |
| JANUARY | C. D. | 1907 | 1909 |
| JANUARY | C. DEROUS | 1871 | 1952 |
| JANUARY | MOLLIE | 1874 | 1955 |
| JOLLY | ELIZA A. | 1872 | 1879 |
| JOLLY | INFANT | 1881 | 1881 |
| JOLLY | R. N. | 1837 | 1903 |
| JORDAN | PAIRILEE | 1866 | 1965 |
| JORDAN | RICHARD N. | 1854 | 1914 |
| LAMBRIGHT | JAMES H. | 1890 | 1891 |
| LEATHERWOOD | JOHN M. | 1853 | 1888 |
| LODEN | MAMIE LOUISE | 1914 | 1915 |
| LONG | J. M. | 1876 | 18?? |
| LONG | LUCY E. | 1882 | 1885 |
| McCAFFERTY | DRUCILLA | 1814 | 1898 |
| McCAFFERTY | MARTHA J. | 1860 | 1910 |
| McCAFFERTY | NETTIE | 1881 | 1901 |
| McCAFFERTY | RUTHEY L. | 1889 | 1890 |
| McCAFFITY | EFFIE | 1871 | 1927 |
| McCAFFITY | ELLA B. | 1881 | 1883 |
| McCAFFITY | HENRIETTA | 1874 | 1952 |
| McCAFFITY | IKE | NONE | 1931 |
| McCAFFITY | INFANT | NONE | NONE |
| McCAFFITY | INFANT TWINS | NONE | NONE |
| McCAFFITY | JESSIE | 1868 | 196? |
| McCAFFITY | JIM M. | 1870 | 1938 |
| McCAFFITY | MARY E. | 1843 | 1918 |
| McCAFFITY | MAY' | 1884 | 1901 |
| McCAFFITY | ROBERT B. | 1844 | 1932 |
| McCAFFITY | ROBERT L. | 1878 | 1918 |
| McCAFFITY | SAM | 1882 | 1958 |
| McCAFFITY | W. BOYD | 1900 | 1984 |
| McCAFFITY | WILLIAM ROBERT M. "BOB" | 1876 | 1965 |
| McCAFFITY | Y. D. | 1852 | 1932 |
| McCAFITY | CLARENCE | 1895 | 1895 |
| McCAFITY | INFANT | 1899 | 1899 |
| McCAFITY | LORANCE | 1895 | 1895 |
| McGREW | DOGIE (DOOIE) | 1896 | 1897 |
| McGREW | HATTIE G. | 1862 | 1884 |
| McGREW | LILLIAN E. | 1884 | 1889 |
| McGREW | OWEN T. | 1880 | 1897 |
| MANLEY | RICHARD DAVID | 1948 | 1949 |
| MILLER | EDWARD TITCHE | 1902 | 1904 |
| MILLER | HOMER CARLTON | 1897 | 1965 |
| MILLER | INFANT | 1909 | 1909 |
| MILLER | INFANT | B&D | 1922 |
| MILLER | J. DODD | 1852 | 1946 |
| MILLER | JAMES D. | 1882 | 1954 |
| MILLER | JENNIE MAE | 1910 | 1922 |
| MILLER | JULIA FRANCIS | 1862 | 1907 |
| MILLER | MINNIE NELL | 1928 | 1930 |
| MILLER | MINNIE T. | 1874 | 1909 |
| MILLER | N. JOSEPHINE | 1859 | 1934 |
| MILLER | R. J. "DICK" | 1877 | 1948 |
| MILLS | U. M. | 1858 | 188? |
| MOORE | JAMES A. | 1850 | 1908 |
| MORLER | M. E. | 1872 | 1897 |
| MORRISON | INFANT | B&D | 1913 |
| MORRISON | INFANT | B&D | 1912 |
| NICHOLSON | A. W. | 70 YRS | 1879 |
| NICHOLSON | BENNETT ANGUS | 1905 | 1933 |
| NICHOLSON | ROBERT A. | 1877 | 1955 |
| NICHOLSON | ROBERT ANGUS | 1936 | 1937 |
| NICHOLSON-SEWELL | ODESSA | 1880 | 1918 |
| NORMAN | ALBIAN A. | 1885 | 1965 |
| NORMAN | ALEXANDER B. | 1851 | 1913 |
| NORMAN | ANDREW J. | 1854 | 1939 |
| NORMAN | CHRISTOPHER LYNN | B&D | 1983 |
| NORMAN | DORA LEE | 1866 | 1906 |
| NORMAN | ESTELLE E. | 1889 | 1967 |
| NORMAN | ETHOLYN | 1915 | 1980 |
| NORMAN | FINNEY C. | 1822 | 1885 |
| NORMAN | GRADY RAY | 1905 | 1905 |
| NORMAN | JAMES | B&D | 1958 |
| NORMAN | JULIA A. | 1831 | 1908 |
| NORMAN | LAWRENCE J. | 1880 | 1883 |
| NORMAN | LAWRENCE M. | 1856 | 1937 |
| NORMAN | MINNIE LEE | 1883 | 1884 |
| NORMAN | OSWALD M. | 1887 | 1931 |
| NORMAN | WINIE D. | 1901 | 1903 |
| NORMAN-GILLIAM | ABBIE H. | 1861 | 1943 |
| NORMAN-TRAVIS | LILLIAN | 1894 | 1967 |
| OLDFIELD | ALBERT W. | 1879 | 1958 |
| OLDFIELD | AUDIE M. | 1890 | 1980 |
| OLDFIELD | CECIL | 1885 | 1885 |
| OLDFIELD | CHARLES D. | 1872 | 1903 |
| OLDFIELD | CHARLES D. | 1872 | 1903 |
| OLDFIELD | FLOYD | 1903 | 1950 |
| OLDFIELD | HENRY C. | 1893 | 1983 |
| OLDFIELD | J. B. | 1868 | 1873 |
| OLDFIELD | LUCILLE | NONE | NONE |
| OLDFIELD | LULA MAY | 1886 | NONE |
| OLDFIELD | M. A. | 1865 | 1890 |
| OLDFIELD | MACK | 1890 | 1908 |
| OLDFIELD | MACK | 1890 | 1908 |
| OLDFIELD | SARAH E. | 1844 | 1888 |
| OLDFIELD | THOMAS | 1832 | 1900 |
| OLDFIELD | W. L. | 1861 | 1898 |
| OLDFIELD | WILTON B. | 1895 | 1933 |
| OLDFIELD | YOUNG SON | 1871 | 1878 |
| PARK | DICKEY | 1864 | 1887 |
| PASCHALL | A. J. | 1903 | 1987 |
| PASCHALL | ALTON DOUGLAS | 1961 | 1965 |
| PASCHALL | BABY | B&D | 1923 |
| PASCHALL | CURRAN P. | 1895 | 1985 |
| PASCHALL | DAVID PRESTON | B&D | 1926 |
| PASCHALL | EULA MAE | 1902 | NONE |
| PASCHALL | HARDY L. | 1884 | 1964 |
| PASCHALL | MARY VIDA | 1887 | 1973 |
| PASCHALL | NORMAN | 1900 | 1967 |
| PASCHALL | RUBY | 1906 | 1982 |
| PASCHALL | THOMAS LEE | 1932 | 1934 |
| PASCHELL | CURRAN P. | 1862 | 1945 |
| PASCHELL | GEORGE A. "UNCLE BOSSY" | 1871 | 1952 |
| PASCHELL | MARY ELIZABETH | 1865 | 1939 |
| PASCHELL | THOMAS GEORGE | 1908 | 1923 |
| PATRICK | ERASMUS | 1837 | 1905 |
| PHILLIPS | GEORGE A. | 1866 | 1968 |
| PHILLIPS | OLLIE B. | 1893 | 1975 |
| PHIPPS | J. C. | 1897 | 1898 |
| PHIPPS | L. H. | 1877 | 1900 |
| POWELL | MIRIAM | 1842 | 1886 |
| POWELL | WILLIAM H. | 1836 | 1915 |
| PRIEST | E. M. | 1820 | 1887 |
| PRIEST | EARL M. | 1887 | 1966 |
| PRIEST | IVA | 1917 | 1917 |
| PRIEST | LYDIA V. | 1891 | 1964 |
| PRIEST | VIRGIL | NONE | NONE |
| PULLEY | ELIZABETH M. | 1902 | NONE |
| PULLEY | HALLIE | 1903 | 1984 |
| PULLEY | LILLIE BELLE | 1877 | 1957 |
| PULLEY | LINCOLN L. | 1903 | 1975 |
| PULLEY | TOM | 1905 | 1970 |
| PULLEY | WALTER | 1874 | 1947 |
| PULLEY | WALTER G. | 1900 | 1975 |
| SADLER | GROVER CLARK | 1924 | 1999 |
| SEWELL | A. C. | 50 YRS | 1897 |
| SEWELL | BROWNIE | 186? | 1889 |
| SEWELL | BROWNIE S. | 1891 | 1894 |
| SEWELL | CAMMIE S. | 1852 | 1898 |
| SEWELL | CLARENCE E. | B&D | 1910 |
| SEWELL | EARL | 1898 | 1937 |
| SEWELL | EDGAR R. | 1901 | 1902 |
| SEWELL | FRANCIS A. | 1854 | 1884 |
| SEWELL | INFANT | B&D | 1877 |
| SEWELL | ISAAC N. | 1833 | 1905 |
| SEWELL | J. M. | 1827 | 1892 |
| SEWELL | JOHN I. | 1849 | 1870 |
| SEWELL | JOHN I. | 1851 | 1900 |
| SEWELL | JOHNY LEE | 1900 | 1901 |
| SEWELL | LAURA ELIZABETH | 1906 | 1906 |
| SEWELL | MATTIE A. | 1870 | 1892 |
| SEWELL | N. A. | 1822 | 1904 |
| SEWELL | REBECCA F. | 1848 | 1882 |
| SEWELL | ROBERT W. | 1899 | 1909 |
| SEWELL | SALLIE E. | 1829 | 1890 |
| SEWELL | SAMUEL A. | 1852 | 1928 |
| SEWELL | SLIJAH B. | 1896 | 1959 |
| SEWELL | VERA A. | 1885 | 1886 |
| SEWELL | WILEY | 20 Y 8 M | 1876 |
| SEWELL | WILLIAM M. | 1881 | 1881 |
| SEWELL, JR. | S. A. | 1892 | 1950 |
| SEWELL-SELLERS | M. E. | 1831 | NONE |
| SHAW | CECIL | 1839 | 1839 |
| SHAW | CORA | UNREADABLE | UNREADABLE |
| SHAW | FATIMA E. | 1827 | 1886 |
| SHAW | HADDIB | 1883 | 1956 |
| SHAW | JESSE C. | 1863 | 1864 |
| SHAW | JESSE H. G. | 1823 | 1877 |
| SHAW | JULIAN H. | 1903 | 1903 |
| SHAW | PAULINE | 1894 | 1902 |
| SHAW | WILLIAM W. | 1848 | 1899 |
| SHAW-SEWELL | M. JENNIE | 1856 | 1925 |
| SMITH | CYNTHIA YOVVON | 1957 | 1970 |
| SMITH | FANNIE | NONE | 1889 |
| SMITH | WILLIAM SIDNEY | 1894 | 1896 |
| STONE | ADA B. | 1874 | 1960 |
| STONE | Wm. H. | 1868 | 1931 |
| SULLIVAN | GREER | 1889 | 1900 |
| SULLIVAN | M. A. | 1831 | 1887 |
| SULLIVAN | MOLLIE J. | 1866 | 1899 |
| TEAGUE | LORENE | 1916 | 1958 |
| TEEL | AUTHOR McDANIEL | 1890 | 1890 |
| TEEL | THOMAS J. | 1860 | 1931 |
| TEEL-GILLIAM | DELLA J. | 1866 | 1965 |
| UDDELL | WILLIE | 1896 | 1899 |
| VANCE | ANNA S. | 1897 | 1912 |
| VANCE | J. V. | 1883 | 1905 |
| VANCE | LORILLA V. | 1862 | 1959 |
| VANCE | MAUD M. | 1882 | 1906 |
| VANCE | Rev. JOHN A. | 1858 | 1919 |
| VANOVEN | VESTER | 1931 | 1980 |
| WAITS | AMANDA C. | 1878 | 1881 |
| WALKER | HATTIE | NONE | NONE |
| WARREN | BABY BOY | 1977 | 1977 |
| WEST | JAMES ALEX | 1903 | 1976 |
| WEST | THELMA A. | 1897 | 1977 |
| WHITE | ARTHUR J. | 48 YRS | 1923 |
| WHITE | EMILY KATE "KITTY" | 1872 | 1940 |
| WHITE | JOHN B. | 1847 | 1930 |
| WILLIAMS | MISSOURI E. | 1831 | 1909 |
| WILLIAMS | OLIVER J. | AGE 72 | 1893 |
| WILSON | CYNTHIA C. | 1846 | 1888 |
| WILSON | JESSIE L. | 1900 | 1975 |
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