Freestone County, Texas Cemeteries Mims Cemetery ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Contributed by: Annette Burdett Location: South, Southeast behind Thousand Oaks Housing Addition in Fairfield, Texas. Background: John Mims (Annette's great, great grandfather) purchased his first land at Fairfield, in Freestone County, in 1855, out of the Redin Gainer Survey at the southeast edge of the townsite. To this beginning of 277 acres, he added until he owned approximately 3 sections, or about 1900 acres, extending nearly to what is now the Post Oak Community Church, some 3 miles southeast of the county seat. This land was described in the deeds as "on the headwaters of Kecchi creek", but in fact today is called Mims creek. Location: Located on a hillside, near the northern end of the farm [Hill Polled Hereford Ranch], now a pasture, is a small Cemetery which is grown up with very large trees inside an ornamental iron fence with no one taking care of it. One large tree has spread at the bottom and pushed the base of John Mims marker so the top, (about 4' x 10") has fallen off mounting--face up. Oldest Grave: 09/06/1880 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- There is only 6 grave sites and these are for: Mims, John 09/07/1803 - 09/13/1887 *1*, *2* Mims, Eliza daughter of John 10/04/1845 - 07/11/1892 Lane, Z. T. [Zachary Thomas] 01/12/1850 - 07/14/1884 Lane, Mollie daughter of John 07/24/1850 - 09/06/1880 Lane, Lizza dau. of Z.T. & Mollie 01/08/1880 - 04/12/1881 Brooks, [Margaret Mims, sister of John] 1807 - 12/31/1881 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *1* = [His obit says Wilcox Co., Ala. However H of FC, Vol I, #589 states Monroe Co., Ala. Whatever the case I cannot find Lottie's tombstone in either county.] ---------------------------- *2* = Fairfield Recorder - Sept. 16, 1887 issue Death of Mr. John Mims Mr. John Mims, an old and well esteemed citizen of our county, who lived about a mile southeast of Fairfield, died last Tuesday morning. The old gentleman had been in a feeble state of health for a year, and his death was liable to occur at any time. The deceased was thought to be about 89 years old, and was one of the oldest white men in the county. He came to this county in 1853 from Wilcox county, Ala., and had been a resident of Freestone ever since. He was an energetic, industrious citizen and was esteemed by all that knew him. The old man had lived a retired life for many years, surrounded by his family, and passed away peacefully and at a time when his demise was not particularly looked for. His remains were interred in a family burying ground on his place. ---------------------------- *3* = Fairfield Recorder - July 22, 1892 Died - the Recorder forgot to mention the death of Miss Eliza Mims of this vicinity who died week before last at the residence of her brother-in-law, Mr. R[obert] F[erdinand] Hatter, 4 miles southwest of Fairfield. The deceased was about 45 years old and was daughter of the late John Mims, one of the earliest settlers of Freestone County who died at his home near Fairfield a few years ago. [Robert Hatter and his wife later moved to Rosedale, McClain Co., OK.]