Freestone County, Texas Communities Old Ghost Towns - Never had a post office: Box / Box Church (#1 near Mills) The first community named Box was a white community located in the Mills area. A Mills community column lists the Box church like it was their local church and was listed as the "old Box church" in June 1909. School: Church: [See David's Mill community for more information.] Box Church hosted a Democratic meeting and barbecue on Sept 6, 1871. *1* petitioned for membership to the Prairie Grove Association on 22 July 1887. Antioch [West] Grange #41 met at Box church in 1888. [was Prairie Creek Grange #41 in 1871] visitors attended in July 1891 *5* Rev. Jordon of Personville delivered a sermon in May 1895. *12* Christian camp meeting led by W. H. Parker of West, Texas moved from Box Church to Cash Branch (3 miles east of Brewer) in July 1897. *19* Bro. Tipps preached in Feb 1904 *22* visitors attended in Feb 1904 *24* good singing at the "old Box church" in June 1909. *25* large crowds *26* *27* Sunday School organized on Sunday evening *28* Cemetery: Driver Cemetery Harrison Chapel cemetery Kendrick Family Cemetery Box Church Cemetery [seems to be another name for Salem Predestinarian Baptist Cemetery] Social Organizations: "Freestone County Singing Convention" - Box Church had a class that was part of the countywide group. Box Church was part of District No. 1. *14* Box Church hosted the Freestone County Singing Convention in April 1893 *6*, *7*, *8*, *9*, *10* Its class was part of a district Singing Convention in July 1895. *13* Box Church was selected as next place to host the district Singing Convention in Oct 1895. *14* Hosted the district Singing Convention in Nov 1896. *15* *17* Political Debates Robert Marion Edwards traveled to debate? with Hon. L. N. Barbee in June 1894 *11* Picnic in June 1895 *29* Businesses: Nearby Communities: Salem Driver Harrison Chapel Mills Known Former Residents: Bailey, Joe (1907) *23* Burleson, Ada (1896) *3* Clancy, Tom (1896) *16* Crisp, J.S. Hobbs, Elisha Jefferson, Bill (1896) *3* Jefferson, W. C. Johnson, Sam (1896) *3* Landers, Miss Dora *12* Nettles, Miss Helen (1930) *2* Robinson, Miss Annie (1897) *18* *20* Sanders, R.J. Williamson, Miss Frankie (1896) *3* ----------------------------------------------------------- Box (#2 at Sand Lake area near Plum Creek) The second community named Box was an African American community located in the Sand Lake area near Plum Creek. School: Church: Cemetery: Social Organizations: Businesses: Nearby Communities: Known Former Residents: ============================================== SOURCES: *1* = The Galveston Tri-Weekly News (of Galveston, Texas) - September 20, 1871 - Page: 4 There was a grand Democratic meeting and barbecue at Box Church, Freestone county, on the 6th inst. More than a thousand persons were in attendance. At Stonewall, in the same county, another large meeting was held on the 7th. - Fairfield Ledger, 9th. *2* = The Mexia Weekly Herald (Mexia, Texas) June 27, 1930 - page: 4 SHILOH Miss Helen Nettles of Box Church is spendings the week with friends of this community. *3* = Fairfield Recorder - December 11, 1896 Page: 4 Freestone County District Singing Convention No. 1 Mills, Tex., Nov. 30, 1896 ... Box Church: Misses Frankie Williamson, Ada Burleson, and Messrs. Bill Jefferson and Sam Johnson ... *4* = Fairfield Recorder - Friday, April 10, 1891 Page: 4 Hick Springs Happenings - March 29, 1791 [sic 1891] One of our young men is seen, going in the direction of Box Church every Fourth Sunday. We can't account for it unless he is going to see a certain young lady. ... *5* = Fairfield Recorder - Friday, July 17, 1891 Page: 8 David's Mill Dots Mr. C. C. Haynie and Miss Lizzie Green; Mr. H. B. Cabaniss and Miss Mary Reynolds, Mr. Jim Roper and Miss Georgie Green, Mr. Dan Green and Miss Nellie Green, attended church Saturday night at Box Church. *6* = Fairfield Recorder - Friday, March 10, 1893 Page: 2 SINGING CONVENTION NOTICE It will be remembered that the Freestone County Singing Convention adjorned its last meeting to meet on Friday before the full moon in April 1893 at Box Church. ... *7* = Fairfield Recorder - Friday, March 17, 1893 Page: 2 *8* = Fairfield Recorder - Friday, March 24, 1893 Page: 3 *9* = Fairfield Recorder - Friday, April 14, 1893 Page: 2 [after action report] *10* = Fairfield Recorder - Friday, May 12, 1893 Page: 3 [after action report] *11* = Fairfield Recorder - Friday, June 15, 1894 Page: 3 *12* = Fairfield Recorder - Friday, May 3, 1895 Page: 8 Rev. Jordon, of Personville, delivered a sermon at Box church Sunday night. A large congregation was present, good attention, splendid music rendered by our choir - Miss Dora Landers organist. *13* = Fairfield Recorder - Friday, July 12, 1895 Page: 1 District Singing Convention ... The District is composed of the following classes: Brewer, Box Church, Dew, David Schoolhouse, Enon, Jordan's Chapel and Luna. ... *14* = Fairfield Recorder - Friday, October 25, 1895 Page: 8 *15* = Fairfield Recorder - Friday, October 2, 1896 Page: 1 *16* = Fairfield Recorder - Friday, October 9, 1896 Page: 1 *17* = Fairfield Recorder - Friday, December 11, 1896 Page: 4 *18* = Fairfield Recorder - Friday, June 4, 1897 Page: 5 Miss Annie Robinson, of Box Church, is visiting her sister, Mrs. Peevy [of Jordan's Chapel]. *19* = Fairfield Recorder - Friday, July 2, 1897 Page: 8 *20* = Fairfield Recorder - Friday, March 10, 1899 Page: 4 Miss Annie Robinson, one of Box Church's most beautiful and accomplished young ladies, attended church here [Pyburn] Sunday. *21* = Fairfield Recorder - Friday, April 14, 1899 Page: 5 L. L. Peevy and family [of Pyburn] visited relatives in the Box Church community Sunday. *22* = Fairfield Recorder - Friday, February 5, 1904 Page: 2 Everbody come and hear Bro. Tipps preach at Box church the first Sunday in this month. [Mills Locals column] *23* = The Teague Chronicle - Friday, February 22, 1907 Page: 4 *24* = The Fairfield Recorder - Friday, February 19, 1904 Page: 3 Mr. Measles, of Brewer, was at Box church Sunday; also Mr. Lane and two sons. *25* = Teague Chronicle - Friday, June 11, 1909 Page: 2 Singing at this place Sunday afternoon was fine, old Box church was full of people. Four of the finest singers at Donie were with us and you know we did some good singing. *26* = The Fairfield Recorder - Friday, June 7, 1907 Page: 1 *27* = The Teague Chronicle - Friday, June 14, 1907 Page: 8 *28* = The Fairfield Recorder - Friday, April 28, 1905 Page: 1 *29* = The Fairfield Recorder - Friday, June 7, 1895 Page: 8 "... By chance this scribe got off to the picnic at Box Church and Jordan Chapel last Riday and Saturday. Had quite an enjoyable time. Plenty to eat at both places. It didn't look like hard times at either place."