Texas Historical Marker #11035
William Gasby Cemetery. Originally part of a Spanish land grant issued in 1794 to Ignacio Pirfirmo, the surrounding land was acquired in 1870 by former slave William Gasby. This cemetery was established when Gasby donated four acres of the land for a burial ground to be used by the neighboring black community. While the earliest marked grave, that of Mouzeria Thompkins, dates from 1889, there are many sites marked only with rocks, indicating the cemetery probably was in use prior to that time. William Gasby was a prominent leader in the black community and in the development of the nearby town of Geneva. He owned and operated a blacksmith shop and cotton gin on his property. Upon the death of his first wife, Mary, Gasby married Bettie Elizabeth Clay. All three are buried in this cemetery, as are many of their descendants. Another prominent black leader buried here is Alfred Canton, a minister who helped organize the County Line Missionary Baptist Church in 1868. Also known as the New Zion Cemetery for its association with New Zion Methodist Church, this graveyard is an important part of Sabine County history. #11035
?, Geneva, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #11033
El Lobanillo. In this vicinity was historic Spanish rancho called El Lobanillo. Pueblo of Gil Ybarbo (1729-1809), where his ill mother and other refugees remained when Spain evacuated colonists from western Louisiana and east Texas in 1773. Granted 1794 to Juan Ignacio Pifermo, and inherited in early 1800s by John Maximillian (1778?-1866), this is now known as oldest continuously occupied site in east Texas. #11033
?, Geneva, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #11030
County Line Baptist Church and Cemetery. This congregation began soon after the end of the Civil War in the Freedmen's community known as Weeks Quarters (about 2 mi. S). Early prayer meetings and worship services were conducted in homes. Led by the Rev. M. McBerrry, the congregation built its first sanctuary in 1868. Worshipers came from a large surrounding area to attend services in the small frame building, which also served as a community schoolhouse. The church's name originated from its location near the Sabine-San Augustine County line. In 1885 the members voted to relocate the church to the nearby Hankla community, next to the County Line Cemetery (about 2/10 mi. N). The oldest documented grave in the cemetery dates to 1902, although local oral tradition suggests burials occurred much earlier. Many early graves are unmarked. In 1944 the congregation voted to move once again to this location. Since that time additional facilities have been built to serve the growing congregation. County Line Baptist Church continues to serve members from a large area in both San Augustine and Sabine counties. #11030
?, Geneva, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #07582
Mial Scurlock. (b. 1809) and his brother William Scurlock (1807-85) left their Mississippi home in 1834 to settle in Texas, then a part of Mexico. That same year they received a land grant here in the Sabine District and, with their slaves, began farming the site. The following year, when disputes between Texas settlers and Mexico resulted in the Texas Revolution, the Scurlocks joined the Texas army at San Augustine. Mial participated in the Siege of Bexar and in the Battle of the Alamo, where he was killed on March 6, 1836, in the defense of his adopted land. #7582
?, Geneva, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #07581
Scurlock Cemetery. This cemetery is named for North Carolina native William Scurlock (1807-1885), a veteran of the Texas Revolution, who is buried here. He and his brother Mial migrated to Texas in 1834 and constructed a log cabin in this vicinity. The following year they enlisted in the Texas Revolutionary army. Known as the "Man with the Charmed Life," William served in the Siege of Bexar, the Battle of Agua Dulce, and participated in the Matamoros Expedition. Captured by Mexican forces at Goliad and used as a medical assistant, he escaped the massacre of Col. James W. Fannin's troops. He later eluded his captors and fought at the Battle of San Jacinto. Mial Scurlock was killed at the fall of the Alamo. After the war Capt. Scurlock served in the Republic of Texas Congress (1839-40) and fought in the Mexican War (1846-48) before settling here. His wife Frances (1821-1902) was the daughter of William A. and Phenaty Thompson, pioneer settlers of the area. The earliest marked grave here is that of their son George, who died in 1864. Also buried here is Confederate veteran W. J. Walton (1838-1916). Captured at Jonesboro, Georgia, in 1864, he spent the remainder of the Civil War in an Illinois military prison. #7581
?, Geneva, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #07575
Payne-Williams Cemetery. John (1784-1848) and Margaret (1788-1857) Payne came to Texas from Georgia about 1835. A veteran of the War of 1812, John served Sabine County as a justice of the peace and as a state legislator. He set aside land for this cemetery, where many of his descendants are buried, including his son Epperson Duke Payne (1810-1840), who served at the Siege of Bexar and the Battle of San Jacinto. Others interred in the small graveyard include Civil War veteran Lewis Williams (1836-1916) and several of his relatives and descendants. #7575
?, Geneva, TX, United States