Texas Historical Marker #14463
Newton Cemetery. This family burial ground served the Newton family, early area pioneers. Larkin Newton, who owned this property, came to Texas in 1848 with one of his nephews, Elbert. They followed Elbert's brother, Asa Newton, who settled near present-day Ovilla in 1844. All three settled on land that was part of the Peters Colony empresario grant. Larkin Newton, born in 1794 in South Carolina, was a veteran of the War of 1812. He participated in the Battle of New Orleans, the last major battle in the conflict. At home, Newton was a community leader. He served as a County Commissioner in Arkansas (Washington Co.) and Missouri (Barry Co.) before moving to Texas. Once here, he continued to serve in politics, becoming Ellis County Commissioner in 1850, shortly after the county formed. Concerned with his family's education, he also built a schoolhouse on his property. This cemetery's oldest dated grave is for Larkin Newton, who died in 1858. His wife, Mary Ann (Wilson), died in 1876 and is also interred here. Four of the couple's eleven children are buried here: Lynie Ann Newton Neely, Confederate veteran John Newton, Zilphia Newton Stiles Mullin and Thomas l. Newton. Several in-laws and a number of grandchildren are also interred in this burial ground. Today, Newton Cemetery remains as a record of a pioneering Ellis County family led by a patriarch who served his community, county and country. Historic Texas Cemetery-2003 #14463
?, Midlothian, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #16360
Midlothian Presbyterian Church. In 1911, two congregations merged to form Midlothian Presbyterian Church. One originally organized in 1883 under Pastor D. G. Malloy and was part of the Presbyterian Church of the United States of America (PCUSA). The other organized in 1890 under the Presbyterian Church in the United States (PCUS). Members of the newly merged church built a sanctuary from 1913-14. The congregation has a history of supporting the community, including helping with Manna House, a cooperative venture among Midlothian churches aiding needy families. Members have also focused on missions on a national and global scale. Today, the church continues to be a beacon of light for the residents of Midlothian. (2010) #16360
104 S. 4th St, Midlothian, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #07139
Site of Polytechnic Institute. Founded in 1883 by W.W. Works (1856-1895), Polytechnic Institute was a private, coeducational school. A respected educator and native of this area, Works left here in 1888 to attend the University of Texas. When he returned in 1892, local stockholders erected a two-story school building at this site. After Works died, the facility became Whitten Institute, with the Rev. Thomas G. Whitten as president. It was also operated as Midlothian College. In 1907-08, the building was dismantled, and the property was acquired by former stockholder J.C. Kimmel. In 1915, his widow gave it to the city for use as a park. #7139
2nd Ave. and Ave F., Midlothian, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #13081
Midlothian Cemetery. What would later become Midlothian began as part of the Peters Colony, which brought settlers to Texas from 1841 to 1848. W.A. and Anna Hawkins and their extended family arrived in 1848, in time to receive acreage for their new home. Their son Benjamin Franklin Hawkins set aside part of his land for a church, and the adjacent land became the community's cemetery. Although earlier unmarked graves most likely exist, the earliest marked grave, that of Mary Elizabeth Hawkins, dates to October 1873. Two of her young children, who died shortly after her death, are buried nearby. In 1874, John W. and George W. Hawkins deeded four acres including the burial ground to the Methodist church; the community has added surrounding land over the years to increase the cemetery to its current size. The city of Midlothian incorporated in 1888. W.A. Brundage, Sr., the city's first mayor, is among the many notable area residents buried here. The cemetery is also the burial place of military veterans, pioneers, farmers, ranchers, paupers and many others, representing the community's long and rich heritage. Historic Texas Cemetery - 2003 #13081
300 S 9th St, Midlothian, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #07113
William L. and Emma Hawkins House. William L. Hawkins, the son of area pioneer settlers, and his wife Emma (Barker) purchased land and a house here in 1892. They removed the original structure in 1901 and hired local wood artisan Will Price to build this house. Made of imported cypress timber, it was completed in 1903. It features an asymmetrical Queen Anne design and ornate wood trim hand carved by Price. Prominent businessman Tom Dees and his wife Mattie (Hawkins) purchased the house in 1905, and in 1913 the property was acquired by Edward and Mollie Byrd. It remained in the Byrd family until 1957. #7113
803 Avenue G, Midlothian, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #07114
Site of Old Hawkins Springs. William Alden Hawkins (1800-67) and wife Anna Eddy (1800-95), from La Porte, IN., arrived with family at this site in May 1848, becoming first settlers in area. The family included Marcellus Tolbert (1824-96); Mary Melissa (1824-84), with her husband Harrison F. Hinkley and child Annie Lucretia; Benjamin Franklin (1828-91) and wife Mary; James Emerson (1829-1912); William Alden (1831-89); Elizabeth Ann (1838-1903); David Peter (1838-63); John Wesley (1841-76); and George Washington (1842-1931). As a member of Peters Colony, Wm. A Hawkins and adult children claimed about 2500 acres of land. In a critical period of 28 days prior to July 1, 1848, logs were cut and hauled from Dallas County cedar brakes to build five houses, to sustain the claims. Hawkins Spring, about 100 feet from the Wm. A Hawkins' home supplied water for all households and often for passers-by. Upon the organization of Ellis County in 1850, William A. Hawkins (1800-67) was appointed first Chief Justice (County Judge). Currently situated on Hawkins' family lands are part of Midlothian business district east of Santa Fe Railroad, on the Wm. A Hawkins' survey; Northridge Shopping Center, on Harrison Hinkley survey; First United Methodist Church, on B.F. Hawkins' survey. #7114
?, Midlothian, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #07105
First United Methodist Church of Midlothian. Methodist worship services in this area date to the late 1840s, meeting in homes, the people were served by circuit riding ministers from Waxahachie. A schoolhouse built for the pioneer community of Hawkins was also used as a church. Beginning in 1861 a church built in Lebanon, another pioneer settlement, served the Methodists of the area. The congregation moved to Midlothian in 1883, and a church building was completed in 1902. A new house of worship was erected in 1966. Members of the church include many descendants of its pioneer founders. #7105
800 South 9th St., Midlothian, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #07147
St. Paul Cemetery. In 1881 William Gardner deeded this site to the Mountain Creek School Community. This tract, which contained graves dating from 1875, remained in use as a public cemetery, and adjoining land was set aside for a school. After W.S. Fife and his wife, L.M., gave adjacent land for a church in 1894, the property became know as St. Paul Church and Cemetery. Burials here include those of pioneer area settlers and several victims of the 1918 influenza epidemic. The school closed in the 1940s, and the land was later conveyed to the cemetery association. #7147
?, Midlothian, TX, United States