United States / Comanche vicinity, TX

Taylor's Chapel (Concord) Cemetery. This cemetery traces its history to the Concord Primitive Baptist Church, organized near this site prior to 1881. Many early graves are unmarked, though eighteen identifiable burials date from the 19th century. The earliest is that of F. M. Warren, who died in 1881. William T. Keith, who later married Warren's sister Sarah, told of driving the wagon transporting Warren's body to the cemetery. Other early burials include those of Dorcas Jones, interred here in 1883, and Warren's mother, Mary Ann, who died in 1884. Warren's father, Posey W. Warren (d. 1906), was a deacon and likely founder of Concord Church, which disbanded in 1907. R. A. Biggs was an early pastor of the church. George W. Brown (d. 1885) and his father, Confederate veteran Thomas Staton Brown (d. 1887), were members of a large family that owned surrounding lands, including a portion of the cemetery. The remainder of the original site was owned by Isaac Dye. Many early settlers of this area are interred in this graveyard. They include Civil War veterans Henry M. Dingus, James Hughes "Hood" Taylor, Posey W. Warren, Griffin E. Armstrong, James Andrews, Abiram Hiram Beene, John Wesley Bishop, Isaac Neely Brown, William M. Clark, Samuel W. Hartman and Wilburn Lafayette Robertson. Concord Cemetery became known as Taylor's Chapel Cemetery after a congregational Methodist church was organized in 1901 on land acquired from James Hughes "Hood" Taylor, an Alabama native. A tangible reminder of the area's pioneer heritage, the cemetery continues to serve the Soda Springs, Beattie and surrounding communities. (2000) #12358

?, Comanche vicinity, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #05956

Zion Hill Baptist Church. Second oldest Missionary Baptist church in county. Organized by C. S. Fritts, J. M. Lumpkin, Dennis O'Brian, Sarah Fritts, Jane O'Brian, Sarah Lumpkin, Stacy Martin and Mary E. Hardin, August 2, 1873, at Zion Hill Cemetery (1/2 mi. W.). First frame building was erected at that site. Delegates from area's various Baptist churches met here in 1875 to form county's first Baptist Association. Church moved to this site, 1912. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1968 #5956

?, Comanche vicinity, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #04849

Site of Old Gill Farm. Settled 1874 by W. A. Gill (1843-1889), son of W. S. Gill, hero of Battle of San Jacinto. W. A. fought in Civil War and was a Captain in the Texas Rangers. His sons E. V. and Fleet lived here for many years. Remains in this family plot were moved in 1964 to Buffalo Cemetery (1mile N). (1968) #4849

?, Comanche vicinity, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #01133

Cunningham Family Reunion. James (1816-1894) and Susannah (1817-1899) Cunningham came to the Republic of Texas in 1839-40 and settled in this area in 1855. An influential family in the county, the Cunninghams were active in military defense against hostile Indians. In 1889, James, Susannah, and their 12 children gathered for their first family reunion. Additional reunions were held sporadically until 1901, when they became an annual event. Acreage adjoining the family property was purchased to insure continuation of the historical gatherings, which take place for two days each summer. (1989) #1133

?, Comanche vicinity, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #00719

Captain James Cunningham Home. 1855. Lumber hauled from Waco by ox wagon. Local stone. Place of county's first wedding. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1965 #719

?, Comanche vicinity, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #00151

Amity Cemetery. When 14-year-old Charles Farley died in Feb. 1878, his parents buried him near their farmhouse, as this frontier locality had no cemetery at the time. Three months later Fannie Nichols (1875-78) died and was buried nearby. The Farleys then donated an acre of land as a community graveyard. The neighbors built an adjacent brush arbor for funerals and general gatherings. In the summer of 1878, Baptists organized a church, naming it Amity (friendship). Before erecting their own buildings, Baptists and Methodists held services in the brush arbor or at Amity School (1 mi. NW). William H. Lindley (1840-1913) bought land south of the Farley Farm in 1885. When new surveys placed the cemetery on his land, Lindley deeded the burial ground to the public. Later his son-in-law, George Brown, gave an additional acre to be used if needed. A large tabernacle with permanent fixtures replaced the brush arbor and was used for funerals until 1938 or 1939, when it was severely damaged by a storm. Free-will donations have maintained the cemetery since 1951. A "First Sunday in June Singing" which Amity Baptist Church originated in 1897 now serves as an annual memorial day and homecoming. By 1978 Amity Cemetery has nearly 400 graves. (1978) #151

?, Comanche vicinity, TX, United States