Texas Historical Marker #09869
Compton Cemetery. William Scott Compton (1805-1882), and his wife, Angelina Louisa Gunn Ward (1806-1880) purchased over 3000 acres here in the settlement of Avant Prairie (later Dew) in 1852. On this acreage the Comptons built a log home, barns and quarters for their slaves. An attorney and banker, William served as a county judge and state senator in Alabama before moving to Texas. This cemetery began in 1855 with the burial of the Comptons' eldest daughter, Elizabeth Blackmon Compton Johnson. Also buried here are the Comptons' sons, Joseph (Jodie) and Felix Richard, both Confederate veterans of the Civil War; and their granddaughter, Martha (Mattie) Jane, and her husband George Walton White, Texas State Legislator (1889 and 1891), Baptist minister, and charter member of the Corinth Baptist Church in Dew, Texas. George White's heirs formally set aside the cemetery property in 1943 and for the next 40 years the cemetery received modest care from family members residing in the original settlement home built by William and Angelina Compton. Descendants of the Compton and White families formed an association in 1983 for the purpose of maintaining the cemetery. Compton Cemetery represents a well-preserved example of a small family cemetery. #9869
?, Dew, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #09883
Harrison Chapel. Organized in 1850s, with twelve members. Site for the Methodist church was given by a pioneer, George Harrison. With influx of settlers, church grew firm in faith, and worked with people from a large surrounding area, through annual camp meetings. The Rev. Horace Bishop, the Rev. A. M. Eubank and the Rev. A. C. Littlepage were noted pastors. Site for cemetery was given by Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Harrison. Many early settlers, including numerous Confederate veterans, are buried here. Heirs gather for annual commemorations. The church moved to Dew in 1870. #9883
?, Dew, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #09871
Dew Cemetery. The first families in this community migrated from Alabama i the 1850s. Originally known as Avant or Avant Prairie, the settlement became Sunshine after the Sunshine Methodist Church moved here from Harrison Chapel in 1870. In 1869 W. S. Compton, one of the early settlers, and D. A. Self, local merchant and dentist, donated land for this community cemetery. First burial was that of a young girl, Missouri A. E. Humphrey (1869-1871). Other early graves date from the yellow fever epidemic of 1873. The town was renamed in 1885 when Dew Post Office opened. The name "Drew" was requested to honor a local resident, but postal officials misread the application. A market center for cotton farmers of the area, Dew had a cotton gin and several stores. Rural delivery replaced the Dew Post Office in 1909. A land donation by Wiley Black in 1901 enlarged the graveyard, which lies adjacent to Dew Methodist Church where funeral services are held. About 1912-13 a cemetery association was organized. Descendants and community residents gather at annual Memorial Day observances to tend the 11 and 1/3 acre site. The 1000 graves here include many from the 1918-19 influenza epidemic. #9871
?, Dew, TX, United States