Freestone County, Texas Reflections FREESTONE PAST/PRESENT J. R. (Sonny) SESSIONS SHERIFF 1965-2001 SESSIONS & COX’S Recent death of friend and really family J.C. Cox brought to mind lots of memories and stories of the past. The Cox family that I knew best are really gone. This is dedicated to all the Cox’s that I knew and heard so much about. When my Great Grandfather G.A. Sessions came to Texas in 1849 at age 18 they settled in what now San Jacinto Co. where his mother and half brother died from cholera contracted in New Orleans. Gus Sessions left alone here with a young black name Tom Cox whom became a close friend. Shortly after moved to Freestone Co. and purchased property where Gus married the daughter of William Carter. The Carter house became known at the Sessions House which burned in 1896. I wish I knew more about Tom Cox as he involved with Gus Sessions in the Civil War and going with him some. Following the war and during the so called reconstruction period an incident occurred when Col. Wortham of Woodland falsely accused by a freedman. The Army sent a Troop of Union Soldiers (not state soldiers or police- the only known except some in Cotton Gin). Local citizens armed themselves and actually took the Col. away from the Federal on their way to Austin. Knowing this would cause further action most of our are went into was called the Great Hideout, with most hiding in remote areas. Gus Sessions in a cave in the creek, his wife fixed him food which carried to him at night usually by Tom Cox. One time he was stopped by Union Soldiers who put a musket and threatened to kill him when he refused to tell where Gus Sessions was. This just one of Tom Cox’s experiences with the Union Troops and the hated Gov’s. military police. Military records show this worked out peacefully. Tom Cox and family involved in the Shiloh Primitive Baptist Church that became active after the War, this a lot of his activities. At his death in the late 1900 a large article was printed in a local newspaper “In Memoriam of Tom Cox” and his dedication. Earlier he received land and a home. I presume Little Ann, his wife had a long life and ruled the roost. Tom Cox had two son’s Jonas and Boney whom I knew well and both as different as many brothers are. My Daddy sold Jonas some land located between Kirven and Fairfield in remote area, Jonas liked to tell him that he didn’t know that some day there would be a hard surface road in front (Farm Road 27). As there nothing but timber on the land; he paid for the land cutting cord wood at $1 a cord and then cultivating it. Jonas has several children, I was most involved with the boys, especially Plump who lived between Kirven and Fairfield. When Daddy became Sheriff in 1931 I was asked how I would get a new Tricycle to Fairfield? I told them I would ride it to Plumps and spend the night with him. Jonas a hard worker, with all his descendents I think one grandson in Houston living day. I remember Jonas asking Otis Utley who had just bought a new cotton gin in Fairfield, then telling him if didn’t never would. Boney Cox more of a politician and a character in his own right. Boney more involved in current affairs loved to talk politics. Boney supplied us with a fat turkey each year. Boney I believe married a Cunningham who lived in the Plum Creek area. Boney had a son, B.C. Cox a lifelong friend whom I was very involved with over the years in many ways. Had an experience with B.C. when I was Sheriff; he always coming around asking for donations, usually for churches and such, on this day had a loaded blank which I pointed at his chest and told him I was tired of him doing this and fired. I really thought I had killed him as passed out and fell to floor, I never did this again. Plump whose name was James after my Daddy very involved with our family and worked with my Mother in caring for Woodland Cemetery and everything else, including picking up pecans. While Freestone Co. Sheriff, Captain Whitaker organized the Sheriffs Reserves which worked out great. J.C. Cox (no middle name known) was one of those selected and served us well for 22 years. One of his specialties was in assisting with funerals, he was employed most of this time with at the generating plant and could assist usually. He and Edward Johnson escorted many area funeral. Deputy Cox involved in patrols and escorts and very dependable. Deputy Cox also employed with Fairfield ISD. Born in Wortham where I feel sure his father employed and he attended school here and in the Bethel Baptist Church. J.C. Cox and his wife Jean also a chose friend the last really of my close association.