| The
Coontown Cemetery
Association is in search of the History of the Caney Church Congregations and Buildings. If you have any photographs, records or interesting stories please send it in.  |
The History of the Land
Research by Joan Ball
Jesse Stiff received a patent on the land in 1845.
Sold to Alonzo Larkin in 1847 recorded in
Book C page 137, Fannin County, Texas records.
Larkin sold the land to Owen and Mary Coonrod in 1850
recorded in Book F pages 42 & 43, Fannin County,
Texas records.
The first burial at Coontown Cemetery was Priddy Mahurin in 1856.
Mary Coonrod sold the land to Jesse Sparkman Wrenn
in 1866
recorded in Book O page 556, Fannin County, Texas
records.
(I am uncertain as to how Mary Coonrod became sole
owner of the land.
There is a record that Mary deeded some land to Owen
– so perhaps
it was from a division of land -- for what reason
would be speculation.)
In 1878, Jesse S. Wrenn sold the land to his stepson,
William W. Short,
recorded in Book 4, page 471, Fannin County, Texas
records.
This deed contains the first record of the cemetery
with the notation “containing in all fifty-four (54) acres excepting two
acres more or less for grave yard.”
William W. Short sold the land to S. H. Pierce in 1881, recorded in Book 16, pages 607 & 608, Fannin County, Texas records. This deed also reads: “containing in all fifty-four (54) acres except two acres more or less for graveyard.”
S. H. Pierce sold the land to H. Z. West in 1885 recorded in Book 29 pages 15 & 16, Fannin County, Texas records. Deed reads: “containing in all 54 acres except two acres for Grave Yard.”
H. Z. West sold the land back to S. H. Pierce in 1892 recorded in Book 86 page 326, Fannin County, Texas records.
The next disposition of the property occurs when it is awarded to Estelle Pierce, a widow, in 1909 in the distribution of property owned by S. H. Pierce recorded in District Court Minutes Book S page 128, Fannin County, Texas.
Estelle Pierce sold the land (or gave the land) to Vera Pierce Palmer in 1955 recorded in Book 378 page 128, Fannin County, Texas records.
Vera Pierce Palmer and Francis A. Palmer sold the land in 1966 to Joe and Louise King recorded in Book 488, page 171, Fannin County, Texas records.
Joe and Louise King sold the land to Jan and Myra Zickefoose
in 1977 recorded in Book 573 page 348, Fannin County, Texas records.
Present owner in 2004 is Myra Zickefoose, a widow.
Research by Joan Ball
Apparently there were several Churches using one or more buildings and before that a campground for preachings' Some of these camps lasted two weeks with the men going out to tend livestock and fields in shifts.
These were fond memories of the 'singings'of hymns way into the night around the campfires. Preaching, Baptisms and visiting the highlights of each day. From Campbellites to Cumberland Presbyterianthe Churches thrived.
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founding of the Caney Baptist Church
- " Caney Church was organized Saturday before the
third Sunday in March 1848 in Fannin County, two miles east of Savoy, by
Elders James Savage and Gabriel Fitzhugh, with the following members: Joseph
Fowler, Charley Lee Huggins, Mary Coonrod, Huldah Lee, Elizabeth Coonrod,
Lucy Fowler and Lydia Hutchins.”
Thanks to M.C. Haggard for the Deatherage Diary excerpt, found in a book entitled
“A Fannin County History” by Floy C. Hodge, 1966.
He also sent the map of Savoy today
and excerpts from a
book, “The Haggard Family of Bryan County, Oklahoma 1698-1998.”
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by the Rev. John Connelly c1890  |
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See more Floy Hodge notes lower on page
Wilene Rushing for excerpts found in the book, “Kentucky Town and Its Baptist Church” by Joe W. Chumbley, 1975.
A Methodist Church was established at Coontown and called the Coonrod Church. Floy Hodge in her History p. 67of Fannin County recounts: "Coonrod Methodist
Church was organized in 1854. First Trustees included Enos Coonrod, Owen and Mary Coonrod. Today the Church is marked by a cemetery nearby" on the Same Page is a short article about the Caney Creek Baptist Church " Caney Creek Baptist Church was organized in the late 1860's by the Rev.John Deatherage (however this was incorrect ). The Pastor kept a diary and recorded the increase of membership in cluding the Cumberland Presbyterians as well as the Baptist. Today the Original Building Stands."
In her sketch of the Coonrod Family , p.165 it reads:"A church was established there in 1854. The Coontown Cemetery was founded near the banks of Caney Creek, Descendants are buried there today although the creek has eroded early graves" On page 170 is the John E.Deatherage family info including this: "The pastor helped organize several county churches including Caney Creek Baptist. " " a paragraph down : Many Deatherage descendants are buried in the Coontown Cemetery nearby including the Pastor and his wife."
This was from: A history of Fannin County;
Floy Crandall Hodge
Hereford, Tex. : Pioneer Publishers, c1966-c1974
It does not show a symbol on the Cemetery
The Dots are buildings. Schools are marked by names
as is the Mahurin School building. Apparently Coontown was not a district School by 1927
The roads marked by slashed lines are "Secondary Roads"
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