Freestone County, Texas
Reflections


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

ARCHEOLOGY AT THE JEWETT MINE

                    
    Located in the old Lignite mining area north of Jewett and south of Donie 
where early lignite mining occurred and where Northwestern Resources
is today . A booklet “Prehistoric Archeology at the Jewett Mine” written by 
Archeologist Eloise F, Gadus and Ross C, Fields. This publication tells of  
people  living here thousands of  before. This publication too lengthy to use 
it all.
  There are many interesting found here. Radiocarbon dates tell that the 
Indians used in two different time period The first about 2,300 years ago, the 
second between 500 and 800 years ago, there some sites also lived. One area 
is about 9,000 years old.
  The archeologist found many artifacts, in one location 828 tools made of 
stone, 8,291 pieces of stone left over from tool making, two smoke pipes 
made of clay. The exactions yielded over 29,000 animal bones and 40 
pounds of rocks burned in campfires,
  Any wanting to study the information are welcome to do by contacting me.
  A few years while in involved with a pond constructed on my property we 
has to change location for some called “chicken bones”.
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  It has been brought out that many today not familiar with cemeteries in 
Freestone County. The Freestone Co. Historical Comm. published a book on 
such in 1976.
  ANTIOCH CEMETERY. To reach the Antioch Cemetery take Farm Road 
1451 from Teague to the Luna Community, then travel about one mile east  
on a dirt road. The Cemetery found in the l860’s.
  BONNER CEMETERY-  was established in 1867 as a final resting place 
of William Bonner, Dr. John Bonner and their descendants. The two 
brothers , natives of South Carolina came to Texas in the early l850 settling 
in Freestone Co. Here they amassed thousands of acres of land which they
which they developed into great cotton plantations. Bonner Cemetery is 3.3
miles north of Stewards Mill. A Texas Historical Marker was placed here in 
l970.
  BURLESON CEMETERY – Location: go north from Fairfield to FM 833, 
follow road to FM 833 follow road to Caney Baptist Church. The Cemetery 
is in a wooded area in a wooded area 800 feet from the road on top of the 
hill.     
As this on private land it necessary to use a key (There several including 
Steve Johnson). This area now has a new fenced and well kept. Mr. O.C. 
Pullin say his grandfather Hopson Burleson and at least two of three wives 
buried here.
  CADE   CEMETERY-   The land for Cade Cemetery was given by Mr. 
Ansel Coleman as follows: two and one/half was originally given on April
30, 1883. Later another two and a one half was given for a church and three 
acres given for a school. All the land is now used for the Cemetery as the 
school and Church have been gone for a number of years. There is a chapel 
at, or just inside the entrance but this in Navarro Co. The Cemetery is in 
Freestone County. Cade Cemetery is located on FM246, one mile west of 
I45.
  COTTON GIN CEMETERY-located just east of Cotton Gin on FCR 930
The land was given by Dr, Willis and established around 1860.
    More Cemetery Information In Future Issues 
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                First Bridge Across Trinity River To Palestine
   A article in the August 30 1927 states that Joel Trimble’s Band of 26 are 
making plans to attend the opening of the new bridge across the Trinity 
River at Bonner’s Ferry. Details are being worked out by the Chamber of 
Commerce. Among those scheduled to attend the opening are Gov. Dan 
Moody, US Senator Earl B. Mayfield and Congressman Luther A. Johnson. 
Friend Uel Davis told me he got to attend. 
   This bridge only allowed traffic from one way at a time. I remember 
crossing here and having to wait on traffic from the other side. On the east 
side there barely enough room to meet other vehicles and no room for 
others, I remember riding with a deputy who accidentally ran off the road 
and asked not to tell my Daddy which I didn’t.
   I remember an incident where some of my friends crossing the bridge had 
some half drunk oil field hands try to throw them off the bridge and into 
river which didn’t work, lucked out on this one.
  I have a newspaper article showing the opening of the bridge which I 
intend to take to the County Museum.
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