Freestone County, Texas
Reflections


Freestone Past/Present
J. R. (Sonny) Sessions

Davis and Mary Carter

      Some years ago received an unexpected phone call from an 
unknown man in Auburn, Maine seeking information on his great-
uncle Minyard Harriss an early resident of the Woodland 
Community. This inquiry for me led to one of the most informative 
and rewarding personal relationships in my life.  Also helped to 
learn Mr. Carter a native Texan retired living in Maine with his 
lovely wife Mary, a repented Yankee. They visited us in Texas, 
and we visited them in Maine.  Mr. Carter made trips to Texas and 
other states doing research on Minyard Harriss over the following 
years. Mr. Carter’s research confirmed many family stories here 
and in Alabama. A true historian and almost fanatical on recorded 
events, and years of work he and Mary compiled and published the 
most historically correct Historical Novel ever read
 "The Story Uncle Minyard Told". Much of this deals with life and 
events in Freestone Co. following the War for Southern 
Independence. Several times Mr. Carter spoke to the Freestone Co. 
Historical Comm., S.C.V., and other historical groups with all 
outstanding. Working with the Carters Texas Historical Markers 
were secured and dedicated at Shiloh Church/School and Sessions 
Cemetery both black organizations near Kirven. To be historically 
and not just politically correct a suitable marker for Woodland 
Community was secured thru the S. C.V., which dedicated with 
Full Honors.
       The Carters then moved to Aberdeen, Miss., the last home of 
Freestone County’s Confederate General John Gregg, and wife 
Molly.  After more years of dedicated research "Two Stars in the 
Southern Sky", a book on the life of Gen. Gregg and Molly was 
published.
      Both publications are in local libraries, and the John Gregg 
book is available at the Freestone Co. Museum due to a generous 
donation by the Carters. With luck a copy of Uncle Minyards book 
might be located. These books were labors of love not for fame or 
fortune.      

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                        Grandpa’s Report
..
       Our little Methodist Church in Kirvin/Wortham has a new 
preacher, our pianist and new preacher decided to have 
Communion for all Wortham nursing home residents as hadn’t 
been done for some time. The pianist who has a vision problem 
provided the ceremonial bread and wine.  A big turn out 
participated including staff, after the service the preacher’s 
children like ours took care of what was left, remarking the grape 
juice sure was thick, closer examination revealed it mistakenly 
prune juice. Everyone may have gotten more than expected out of 
that Communion.