Cool Springs Cemetery, Rusk Co. Cemeteries of Tx Gloria B. Mayfield

COOL SPRINGS CEMETERY

1867-1938

New Salem, Rusk Co. Cemeteries of TX

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Complied  and Submitted by Gloria B. Mayfield  June 1998

Location: Laneville to New Salem.  Off 1798 , miles from intersection of 839.

I first copied this cemetery in 1970, There are now missing markers and ones that are broken. I have checked other sources to insure that all names possible are listed. gloria


Family Information and photos submitted by  Vince King (Feb 2005)

Power Point Slide Show submitted by Judson L. Watkins

I live in Denton, TX and am an active Jay family researcher.  

Family Background:  In late 1859 or early 1860, my ancestor William Jay (1789-1860, at age 70), along with wife Lydia, and son-in-law Terrell H. Lawrence (wife Malinda Jay) moved from northern GA to Rusk Co. TX, just east of New Salem, TX.  They can be found in the 1860 census, living between Henry Brown and Samuel Johnson.  The Brown and Johnson families had large land and personal estate holdings in the area and William Jay's son-in-law is listed as an "overseer".  As they were "new-comers" and had no property of their own, the Jay family was probably living and working on either the Brown or Johnson property.   

In August 1860, about 30 days after the census was rendered, William Jay died (I have the Bible records).  Based on the body of evidence and the fact they had just migrated, I assume he is probably buried in the local "burial ground" (Cool Springs Cemetery), along with the other pioneer families of the area.....Brown, Johnson, etc.   Most of the Browns and Johnson's are buried there, with several contemporary 1860ish graves.  The Cool Springs "burial ground" obviously dates to that period and I would assume is either on "ancient" Brown or Johnson property.   

My Visit to the Cemetery   I visited the cemetery this weekend in hopes of finding some unmarked "field stone" graves, etc. which might have some carved initials, etc.  When I arrived at the site I was stunned at the devastation that had taken place.   It appears a fence had once been around the cemetery.....it was gone.  However, the worst part was that it looked as if the cemetery had been "logged" over the last 2-3 years.  The timber contractor indiscriminately cut down all the large trees, letting them fall where they may.  They basically "tore up" this ancient burial ground, broke and crushed upwards of 30+ tombstones, then left the place a disaster.  It looks like a war zone.  I couldn't believe it....a desecration of the highest order.  I am deeply saddened by this blatant act and wish to do something about it.      Vince King 


Transcription by Gloria Briley Mayfield-1998

LAST NAME FIRST NAME BIRTH DIED INSCRIPTIONS
Atcheson S. J. Jan 25 1817 Oct 20 1867 w Mary
Brown Elizabeth Nov 17 1844 Oct 23 1865 -
Brown H. H. Feb 17 1809 Feb 1 1885 -
Brown S. E. Nov 8 1822 Dec 9 1892 -
Cochran Mackey F. Sept 25 1897 Sept 24 1899 -
Compton W. C. Jul 25 1825 Dec 18 1868 -
Compton Martha May 25 1825 Dec 4 1920 -
Compton Tommie Alvin Oct 31 1899 Jul 15 1900 -
Compton Jesse Vernon 1891 Oct 24 1893 s/o CC & GA  2 yr-9 mo-2 da
Compton Infant Aug 27 1902 Sept 5 1902 of CC & GA
Conner Carrie May Nov 7 1883 Aug 15 1884 of BF & IA
Conner Willie Mar 22 1882 Apr 17 1882 Marker broken now
Edmonds T. H. Feb 14 1828 - born in Ireland
Edmonds W. M. Aug 24 1839 Jul 13 1895 -
Edmonds Winnie E. Aug 2 1839 Jul 10 1895 h T. H.
Forman Ben Dec 13 1813 May 10 1887 w Elizabeth
Forman Elizabeth M. Jul 26 1820 Jun 4 1882 -
Hardwick W. L. Aug 29 1834 Jul 13 1915 -
Hardwick A. C. Aug 4 1840 - w of W.L.
Harmon John 1806 Feb 8 1878 72 years   Masonic
Harmon M. S. 1812 Mar 12 1885 73 years
Harmon Nancy Sept 3 1849 Feb 13 1884 Harmon
Harmon M. M. Sept 19 1850 Aug 20 1900 w of AJ
Harmon M. A. Apr 7 1884 May 7, 1884 d/o AJ & MM
Harmon Orbie Oct 18 1886 Jul 17 1911 d/o AJ & MM
Harmon Hughey A. Oct 30 1882 Mar 13 1883 s/o JH & C
Harmon James Oct 31 1880 Nov 11 1880 s/o JH & C
Harmon Martha E. Dec 25 1876 Oct 7 1886 d/o JH & C
Harmon John W. Oct 13 1878 Sept 1 1879 s/o JH & C
Harmon Eller Apr 16 1870 Oct 4 1872 d/o JH & C
Heath Laura M. Aug 19 1857 Dec 10 1887 w/o T.J.
Hodges Jesse D Oct 9 1860 Oct 27 1910 WOW
Hodges Mary Annie 1870 Oct 11 1938 68 years
Hodnett B. F. Apr 1822 Apr 1884 Masonic
Holman Annie H 1860 Dec 1930 -
Holman P. A. Feb 18 1822 1921 -
Hopkins Jessie Neal Wells Oct 02 1869 Feb 28 1918 h/o Girtrude Annie Mae Reed f/o Geraldine b: Oct 30 1918 info by Virginia
Irwin H. B. Oct 9 1831 Jun 22 1918 Masonic
Irwin Jettye Hortense Feb 23 1910 Jul 4 1911 -
Irwin Mary A. Sept 27 1844 Nov 4 1895 w/o H. B.
Irwin C. A. Sept 29 1832 Dec 4 1879 48 yrs-2 mo-5   w/o H. B.
Irwin Anna F. L. Mar 26 1857 Nov 18 1870
Irwin Infant - Nov 1880 s/o JT & BM
Irwin Infant - Oct 8 1914 -
Irwin Infant - - CA & HB
Irwin O.H. Jun 1 1885 Mar 26 1925 -
Johnson Samuel May 6 1809 Dec 31 1875 -
McKnight Ophelia Sept 28 1859 Sept 9 1902 -
McKnight S.W. Dec 19 1818 Nov 30 1878 Masonic
McKnight Hugh W. Dec 21 1875 Jun 25 1877 s/o SW & LF
McKnight Louisa A. May 15 1867 Oct 9 1867 d/o SW & LF
McKnight Reubenia Jun 8 1978 Jul 1 1880 d/o SW & LF
McKnight Elizabeth 1868 1933 w/o D.A.
McKnight D. A. Feb 23 1858 Aug 24 1909 WOW
McKnight Livy Dec 3 1896 Jan 25 1901 s/o DA & E
Newsom L. Apr 17 1808 Apr 7 1882 -
Newsom Nancy Jul 17 1814 May 15 1896 -
Quinn Uriah Mar 20 1828 Apr 12 1910 Mason Lodge # 87 of New Salem
Quinn Julia A. Sept 10 1828 Jul 20 1902 w/o Uriah  b Colbert Co GA
Reed Dora Agnes Turner 1864 1898 B: Tippah Co. MS  m/o Girtrude Annie Mae Reed Unmarked grave info by Virginia
Simmons Eliza J Newsom Dec 28 1834 Oct 17 1902 -
Simmons John Oct 1 1831 Aug 29 1908 -
Stewart Clarence L. May 8 1902 Feb 25 1916 -
Watkins J. R. Mar 26 1840 Jan 8 1877 Military: Confederate, Ector's brigade company B
Watkins M. E. Sept 1 1867 Oct 16 1871 -