Historical Marker

Henry Cemetery

Historical marker location:
FM 22, Gallatin, Texas
( 1.7 miles east of Gallatin on FR 22)
Marker installed: 2009
Marker size: 27" x 42"

Woodson Henry and his wife Levissa Hutton Henry were part of a group of thirty-five Muskogee (Creek) indian families who came to Texas between 1832 and 1837 from Chambers County, Alabama. After claiming land in Texas, Henry returned to Alabama in 1840 to recruit additional settlers to join him in Texas. His father, Ezekiel Henry, soon packed up and took his family to the area that would become Cherokee County, Texas. Henry Cemetery was founded in 1852 when Ezekiel Henry chose the site to bury his twenty-four year old daughter, Parolee Henry Clark. The cemetery was expanded in 1853 with the burials of Ezekiel Henry and his son, Joseph Francis Henry. At least sixty-eight known descendants of the Henry family are buried in the cemetery. In 1854, neighbor Greenberry Jinkins brought his wife, Elizabeth Medford Jinkins, to be buried in the cemetery. Elizabeth’s is the oldest marked grave in the cemetery.

A section of African American burials is located in the northeast corner of the cemetery. One prominent marker is that of Peter Johnson, a former slave of the Jinkins family. Johnson had been given Jinkins family property upon his emancipation. The grave of Aaron Quarll indicates that he was a veteran of World War I.

The area around the cemetery was rural until 1902, when the Texas and New Orleans railroad came through, and the town of Gallatin was established. The cemetery has changed hands several times since its founding by Ezekiel Henry, but a mention of the two-acre cemetery was not made in deed records until 1943. The Henry Cemetery Association was founded in 1986, and purchased two additional acres for the cemetery in 1987.

Historic texas cemetery – 2008

As one of the most visible programs of the Texas Historical Commission (THC), historical markers commemorate diverse topics in Texas history, including: the history and architecture of houses, commercial and public buildings, religious congregations, and military sites; events that changed the course of local and state history; and individuals who have made lasting contributions to the state, community organizations, and businesses.

gravesites
Audiobooks about the history of Texas.
Texas is also home to the world's largest honky-tonk, Billy Bob's Texas in Fort Worth. The venue covers three acres and can hold up to 6,000 people.
Texas random facts
Cherokee County, located in eastern Texas, has a rich and diverse history that spans centuries. The area was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Caddo, Kickapoo, and Cherokee. In the early 19th century, settlers from the United States began to arrive in the region, resulting in conflicts with the indigenous populations.

In 1837, the Texas Congress established Cherokee County, named after the Cherokee people, who had settled in the area. The county seat was initially located in the town of Rusk, which had grown as a result of the influx of settlers. Over the years, the county went through various changes, with the establishment of new towns and the growth of the local economy. Agriculture, particularly cotton and livestock farming, became the backbone of the county's economy.

During the Civil War, the county faced significant hardships as many men from Cherokee County enlisted in the Confederate Army. The economy suffered, and the county experienced both political and social unrest. However, following the war, the region gradually recovered, and new industries such as lumbering and oil exploration emerged.

In the 20th century, Cherokee County witnessed significant changes in its economy and demographics. The discovery of oil in the early 1900s brought an economic boom to the area, attracting new businesses and residents. Today, the county continues to thrive, with a diverse economy that includes agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism. The county also pays tribute to its Native American heritage through various cultural and historical organizations.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Cherokee County, Texas.

  • 1846: Cherokee County is created and organized.
  • 1847: The town of Rusk is designated as the county seat.
  • 1850s: The area sees conflicts between the Cherokee and local settlers.
  • 1861-1865: Cherokee County residents serve in the Confederate Army during the Civil War.
  • 1872: The International-Great Northern Railroad is built through Rusk, boosting the local economy.
  • 1900: The discovery of the large Berry gypsum deposit leads to the establishment of the Frankston Gypsum Company.
  • 1930s: The Great Depression causes significant economic challenges for Cherokee County.
  • 1942: Camp Fannin, a World War II army training camp, is established in Cherokee County.
  • 1982: Lake Palestine is completed, providing recreational opportunities for residents and visitors.
  • Present: Cherokee County continues to be a vibrant community with a mix of agricultural, industrial, and recreational activities.