Historical Marker

Antioch Cemetery

Historical marker location:
Fairfield, Texas
( six miles east of Fairfield in Freestone County on the east side of FM 1364, 1.2 miles north of the junction of US 84 and FM 1364)
Marker installed: 2012
Marker size: 27" x 42" with post

ANTIOCH CEMETERY

THE BEGINNING OF ANTIOCH CEMETERY IS VERY CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH THE TURLINGTON COMMUNITY, THE ANTIOCH AND MT. ZION CHURCHES, AND THE SURROUNDING RURAL AREA. THE AREA HAS AMPLE SPRINGS AND CREEKS WHICH INCREASED THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO SETTLED HERE. MOST CAME TO THIS REGION VIA STEAMBOATS ON THE TRINITY RIVER FROM GALVESTON. THE ANTIOCH BAPTIST CHURCH WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1870, AND THE CEMETERY WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1877. REV. JOHN M. WEBB (1824-1877), OF OUACHITA COUNTY, ARKANSAS, WAS ELECTED AS THE PASTOR OF THE CHURCH IN 1870 AND WAS THE FIRST TO BE BURIED IN ITS CEMETERY IN 1877. THE PEOPLE OF THIS REGION MOSTLY MADE A LIVING BY FARMING OR RANCHING.

SAMUEL G. WELLS WAS ONE OF THE COMMUNITY’S MORE MEMORABLE MEN. HE CAME TO TEXAS IN 1833, FOUGHT IN THE TEXAS REVOLUTION AND THE KICKAPOO WAR. HE WAS ALSO ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF ANDERSON COUNTY. WELLS IS BURIED HERE WITH HIS SECOND WIFE, LETTIE, AND HER BROTHER, BENJAMIN GARNER, A CIVIL WAR VETERAN. REV. JAMES KING LANE ALSO LIES IN THIS CEMETERY. HE WAS ALSO A CIVIL WAR VETERAN, FOUNDER AND POSTMASTER OF THE LANELY COMMUNITY AND A MEMBER OF THE TEXAS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. CONRAD HENRY, BORN IN GERMANY, IS THE ONLY KNOWN FIRST GENERATION IMMIGRANT BURIED IN ANTIOCH. HIS HEADSTONE IS TALLER THAN ANY OTHER MARKER IN THE CEMETERY. THE CEMETERY IS SITUATED SO THAT THE OLDER GRAVES ARE IN THE CENTER WITH THE NEWER BURIALS ON THE OUTER EDGES IN ALL DIRECTIONS. THE PIONEER STYLE FLOWER CALLED “DEER TONGUE” IS GROWING THROUGHOUT THE PLOTS. IT IS SAID THAT THIS UNIQUE FLOWER WAS BROUGHT TO THE AREA BY THE PIONEERS WHO SETTLED HERE. STILL USED TODAY, ANTIOCH CEMETERY REFLECTS A CONTINUUM OF LOCAL HISTORY WITH BOTH HISTORICAL AND MODERN BURIALS COEXISTING TOGETHER

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.

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Texas random facts
Freestone County, located in central-east Texas, has a rich and diverse history that dates back thousands of years. The region was home to various Native American tribes, including the Cherokee, Caddo, and Tonkawa, before European settlement. The arrival of Spanish explorers and later American settlers in the 19th century greatly impacted the area and shaped its history.

In the early 1800s, the region was a part of the Spanish province of Tejas, and later became a part of Mexico after gaining independence from Spain. The first American settlers arrived in the area in the early 1830s, and the region became a part of the Republic of Texas in 1836. During this time, the county was primarily used for farming and ranching, with cotton becoming an important cash crop.

The county was officially established in 1850 and named after James Freestone, who fought in the Texas Revolution. It quickly grew as more settlers arrived, and communities such as Fairfield and Teague were established as agricultural centers. In the late 19th century, the arrival of the railroad further bolstered the county's economy and facilitated transportation and commerce.

In the 20th century, Freestone County faced the challenges brought by the Great Depression, but managed to recover with the help of government programs and the establishment of manufacturing industries. Today, the county continues to be an agricultural region known for its fertile soils, producing a variety of crops including cotton, corn, and sorghum. It also boasts a rich natural heritage, with attractions such as Fairfield Lake State Park attracting visitors to enjoy outdoor activities in a picturesque setting.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Freestone County, Texas.

  • 1836 - Texas gains independence from Mexico
  • 1846 - Freestone County is established
  • Late 1800s - County experiences growth in population and agriculture
  • 1893 - Texas State Railroad extends into Freestone County, boosting transportation and commerce
  • Mid-1900s - County sees advancements in infrastructure, education, and healthcare
  • 1980s - Oil and gas production becomes a significant industry
  • Present - Freestone County continues to thrive as a rural community, known for agriculture and outdoor recreation