FREESTONE PAST/PRESENT
J. R. (Sonny) SESSIONS
Sheriff 1965-2001

JOHN BLAKELEY 1761-1863
Veteran of War for Independence

      Recently found information sent me as President of Woodland Cemetery 
Association from several descendents more than 30 years ago on John 
Blakeley and family. The family legend is John Blakely (from South 
Carolina) was as a young boy (some said drummer boy) with George 
Washington at Valley Forge. They say that during this terrible winter his feet 
froze and he always walked with a cane and each spring his feet would rise 
and then drain. The records for this period (1777-78) are not complete and 
none has been found regarding his service here. Records are available 
regarding his service at the fall of Charles Town in 1880. The family legends 
say he died about 1863 at age 103 years and buried in Woodland Cemetery 
(Freestone Co.) in an unmarked or lost grave. We did find a large sandstone 
rock with only the initials BL chiseled on it, this could possibly have been 
the gravesite.
  The information sent me gives information on many relatives who lived in 
Freestone, Leon and Navarro Co’s. Some spelled it Blackup. Jacob Lee and 
wife Nancy (daughter of John Blakeley) buried Cotton Gin; gravestone 
marker reads “Nancy-wife of Jacob Lee”. Jake Lee married a half Choctaw 
(Elizabeth Smith) in Mississippi in 1809 who died before coming to Texas. 
Some of the information came from the Indian Land Office Records in 
Muskogee, Oklahoma- Choctaw and Cherokee.
  Wortham City Marshal l in 1896 Hiram Blakeley a grandson of John 
Blakeley, Leon Co. Sheriff Ben Lee was a great-great grandson. Jacob Lee 
Sr. died in 1878 while on a trip to Angelina Co. and buried in unknown grave
Many family buried Wortham Cemetery, Robert Bays 1854—1940 
including his children, Cynthia Ann Raynor 1850-1931
  What information I have is available to any one needing it.
                                  ****
       From Original Sheriffs Report 1971
  Deputy called to rescue of traveling wife forgotten at all night service 
station, over taken on 75, husband asked if he missing anything, took him
awhile to figure out what it was, bet he don’t forget again soon.
  Burglars jailed, one for the burglary of his mothers home in Corsicana with 
theft of her color TV
  Two escapees from Coffield TDC Prison Farm, as trusty’s they drove 
maintainers to banks of Trinity River, swam the River, took a 6 wheel drive 
truck from high line construction job. Truck later found near Bryan. Body of 
one found in River later believe drowned trying to return, other caught out of 
state killed in airplane crash while being flown back taking lots of 
information with him.
  Attempted store burglary Kirven with dudes out of Dallas chased down  
telling other prisoners later they scared to look at speed o meter after it hit 
115 mph and they still on loosing end.
  Complaint on gypsy septic tank cleaner settled with him reimbursing all 
paid out.
  Elderly man jailed after warnings about going without any clothes while 
doors open and shades up, too old for skinny dipping.
  Wortham Police outfoxed again by magazine sales girl supposed to follow 
him to police station but last seen fastly fading into setting sun
                                 ****
                Grandpa’s Report
JR will spend time in Jilien College in Changchun, China during this first 
semester of his senior year. Cousin Forrest Green attended as spent time in 
China in WWII with the Flying Tigers fighting the Japanese. JR returned to 
West Point over weekend.
  Grandma and I joined others at Legume and Cattle Feeding Program, the 
first put on by new County Agent Nick Hoffman and well done. You always 
get something out of these programs.
  Annual County 4H Awards Banquet with Jacob presiding as President and 
many awards presented. Jacob and others did great job.