Fields Store Cemetery

Location: Fields Store CemeteryAKA Good Hope Church Cem.--Recorded WALL03—Parsons. Direct of Cems in Waller Co, 1977/1992: “in John Reece Survc near FM 1488 and Fields Store road …one of oldest and largest but location is secluded in large oaks, hickory and cedar trees. 2 acres given my D. H. Fields, earliest grave, 1873. One acre given my J. W. Day for [ch, school] and permanent burying ground. In 1905 a church/school building, cem, and Masonic Hall. In 1913 add’l acre from E. C. Schneider family. And adjacent small plot added [by/from] for M. Allen’s family members, to be included in larger burying ground. 1968 Cem Assoc bought add’l area bordering cem area and fenced for future cem needs. Initially cared for by community & families on cem working days, then women organized a Fields Store Cem Assoc., which continues as non-profit. Later 4th July fundraisers [picnics, food, rodeo] and reunion to cover expense of gravedigging and maintenance. Sextons through years, 1992 Roy Fogle. Estimates about 2,000 burials. [??] Five generations, five wars. … Hurricane of 1915 uprooted trees, broke and uprooted grave markers, some graves lost in chaos. Directional sections and New Cem area. Index.”Websites for Waller Co Hist & TexHist Cem: “Located near FM 1488 and Fields Store Road, TxDoT map.” TexHistCem website: “ Rep of Tx marker, info on HbTx.” THC Atlas, marker for cem & community: “Established during Reconstruction period on land given by D. H. Fields, local merchant for whom community and cemetery were named, and by J. W. Day, Confederate veteran. Burial place of early settlers of area and their descendants, including veterans of 5 wars. Under management of Fields Store Cemetery Association. . 1968.” Settlers began arriving in this vicinity prior to the Civil War. In the early 1870s Druey Holland Field (1809-72) and his wife Caroline (Perry) (1837-76) opened a general store in the area, and the small agricultural settlement that soon developed became known as Field's Store community. A center of business for the surrounding rural area, the settlement was the site of a school, post office, brick kiln, blacksmith shop, cotton gin and other businesses. Also known as New Hope community, it retains a sense of identity that reflects its early role as the nucleus of pioneer settlement. 1982”LOCATION--West of Fields Store on Fields Store Cemetery Rd. off of FM 1488, 15 mi. east of HempsteadTHC site visit MB 5/21/04. Hempstead, Tx area. FM 1488 at FM 362, access road connects at an angle between the two FM roads, 0.1 mile on access road. Signs. Large fenced site, formal and informal, great diversity over time. Obelisks, curbs, grave gardens, benches, slabs. Many marker trees and shrubs, including Cedar, Mimosa, Crape Myrtle, Pine and Pear trees, also Gardenia, Nandina, Spirea, Phetenia, Roses, Lantana, seasopn perennials of Petunia, Vinca, Dalilies, Irises,. THC marker for site and Fields store. Abundant floral and decorative materials, considerable embellishment of grave sites and markers, including a few uses of food items and personal items, hats, tools. Cemteery adjacent to roadway, Good Hope Church and the Masonic Lodge. At back area adjacent is a rodeo arena, also some field and woodlands. Approx 7.6 acres. GPS 30.09.59.33276N –95.55.18.09288W. Quad 3095-223.Low risk of endangerment, THC marker, still in use, fenced, maintained, adjacent to landmark church and Masonic lodge. Some slight encroachment of horse pasture and rodeo area, but well and double fenced.