Newson Cemetery

Please note: The original page or link no longer exists. Thanks to the Wayback Machine I was able to retrieve it. The pictures were no longer available but the e-mail listed were. I am not sure if they are still good. Wanda Qualls

To All Cousins (contributed by Pat) pbj1918@aol.com

I have a copy of The Newsom Cemetery History and Records. Compiled by Caroline Latham Bode, April 25, 1981.

On the second unnumbered page:

This compilation is dedicated to the memory
of our loved ones who have gone on.
Done with love for
Mother and Aunt Amy

HISTORY

The history of the Newsom Cemetery begins when William S. Newsom and his family left Pike County Mississippi shortly after the Civil War. They first settled in Hood County, Texas, and paid taxes in that county in 1873. According to family tradition, William Seals Newsom, his wife, Sara Louisa Ross Newman, his daughter, Sabastus Partenia, and his other daughter, Sarah Olive Baxter Newsom, and her husband, Lycurgus Blackburn Earnest moved to Mason County, Texas in the mid 1870's, arriving on Christmas Day. They killed a wild turkey for their Christmas dinner, and proceeded to homestead the land.

Their son, Nathaniel Marion joined the family in Texas about the time they
moved to Mason County. Their other son, Daniel Taylor Newsom, later joined
them upon the death of his wife, Arminta Pinson Newsom.

On January 28, 1880, 649 acres of land were granted to Daniel T. Newsom,
assignee of Central and Montgomery Railroad Company. It was known as Survey number 33, on the waters of the San Fernando Creek, and the Land script number 419 issued by the Commissioner of General Land Office of Texas.

The land is located approximately five miles south of the town of Pontotoc, Texas, which is on Highway 71. This community is known as Hickory Grove, because of the many Hickory trees. It was a thriving community for many years, having a church and a school. and a number of families residing there.

Three acres of land were granted to the people of his neighborhood by D. T. Newsom on January 1, 1885, and recorded in Volume O, pages 157-158 in the records of Mason County, Texas on June 25, 1888. The deed states, "I, D. T. Newsom, of the county of Mason and the State of Texas, for in consideration of the sum of three dollars to me in hand paid by the people in the neighborhood of King Mountain and San Fernando of the County of Mason, State of Texas the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged do by these presents, bargain, sell, and release and forever Quit Claim unto the said public community in the said vicinity and neighborhood and their heirs and assigns all my right title and interest in and unto the tract or parcel of land laying in the County of Mason, and State of Texas, as follows to wit: one of a survey of 640 acres, known as survey number 33 in said County and on waters of San Fernando Creek, a tributary of the Llano River, about 14 miles North, 640 East from the town of Mason, more fully described and bounded as follows:

Beginning at a point in the line between this survey Number 33, and Survey Number 238 (owned by W. S. Lumbly), 240 feet West of the corner between said W. S. Lumbly and J. Tyler. Thence south 360 feet to a point twenty feet from the branch.

Thence up said branch at a distance of twenty feet from same 120 feet. Thence West 240 feet. Thence North 480 feet to line of said survey. Thence East on said 300 feet to place of beginning. The said parcel of land is hereby conveyed to the people of said neighborhood and vicinity and the public generally to be used as a burying ground for their dead and for no other purposes. Whatever meaning the white people and the white public and that it shall not be used as a burial place for the colored people under any circumstances, whatever. To have and to hold the said premises together with all, and singular, the rights, privileges, and appurtenances to the same in any manner, belonging unto the said neighborhood and community and their heirs and assigns, so that neither I, the said D. T. Newsom nor my heirs, nor any person or persons claiming under me shall at any time hereafter have a claim or demand any right or title to the aforesaid premises or appurtenances to any part thereof."

The Newsom family or their heirs lived on the land continually until
January of 1981, when the owner, Mary Amy Bush Owen moved to Llano, Texas.
On March 11, 1981 the land was conveyed to Clifford Woerner. According to the terms of the sale, the road, as shown on a plat map prepared by R. T. Magness, Jr., Registered Public Surveyor in February, 1981 was exempted, as a thirty foot wide easement for the purpose of free and uninterrupted passage to and from the cemetery. This road connects to a county road running along the eastern boundary of the property. The cemetery was surveyed by the same surveyor and stakes were set. The fenced portion of the cemetery contains .80 acres.

In a deed from D. T. Newsom to W. S. Newsom, dated January 1,1885, 240 acres was conveyed to W. S. Newsom, excepting three acres conveyed to the public for a graveyard. It is recorded in Volume O, page 159 of the record of Mason County, Texas.

The first grave in the cemetery was that of Mary Parthenia Earnest, daughter of Lycurgus Blackburn and Sarah Baxter Newsom Earnest.

For many years the care of the cemetery was done by Amos Tuckness and his wife. Amy Owen and Nancy Cade have also donated much time to the care of the cemetery over the years. After her retirement to the Newsom Place, Amy Owen spent much time in care of the cemetery. She and Amos Tuckness have built a fence, installed a large gate at the south end of the cemetery, filled in graves, and generally cared for the cemetery.

The branch mentioned in the deed to the cemetery has, over the years, changed it's course, and was getting near the fenced portion of the cemetery.

In fact, it was imminent that the creek would flow through the southeast corner of the burial ground.

However, through the efforts of Alva Bush Latham and Mary Amy Owen, an earthen dam was built to change the flow of the creek bed. This has been successful in diverting the flow of water from the cemetery.

However, in 1981, the cemetery was again threatened. This time, by the dreadful fire that raced through the King Mountain area. The Pontotoc Volunteer Fire Department, and a host of people from the surrounding community, dozed a fire lane around the cemetery. Fortunately the fire was contained before it could reach the cemetery.

(This book was written in the early 80's. I do not know if the contact information is accurate today)

On June 23, 1980, Caroline Latham Bode set up a trust fund for the Newsom Cemetery at the Mason National Bank. Marie Bush Capps and Caroline Latham Bode are Trustees. There is a savings account and checking account established at the Mason National Bank in Mason, Texas. Alesa Latham Miller and Carla Beth Capps Polk are to succeed the trustees upon their death. The cemetery operates on donations only. Fortunately, both the Bush and Earnest families have reunions each year, and a collection is taken for the care of the cemetery. Anyone wishing to make a donation to the cemetery may do so in any of the following ways.
(This book was written in the early 80's. I do not know if the contact information is accurate today)

Mason National Bank
Mason, Texas 76856
Marie B. Capps
Pontotoc, Texas 76869
Caroline L. Bode
1911 Oakshire
San Antonio, Tx. 78232
Mrs. Zella Mae Metzger, at the San Fernando House of Antiques will also accept donations.

The Newsom Cemetery has always been a very important part of the lives of members of the Newsom, Bush, and Earnest families. A visit to Hickory Grove is never complete without a visit to he Newsom Cemetery. Many family members drop by from far away places to visit the little cemetery that is a resting place for our ancestors and relatives. As Zoie Brantly Durham put it, "We always thought the road to heaven was through the Newsom Cemetery."

Families buried in the cemetery are" Newsom, Bush, Earnest, Williams, Brantley, Tuckness, Lively, Scevers, Patterson, Turner, Davis and Black.

On the hot July day in the summer of 1980 I went to complete my
cataloging of the cemetery, I stayed until it was completely dark, so that I could take advantage of the cool hours of the evening. I then went to visit Ted and Lucille Bode. Lucille remarked, "My goodness, what were you doing in that cemetery after dark?" I replied, "There is certainly not a 'ghost' in that cemetery that would ever harm anyone!" I proceeded to tell her that my grandfather, Will Bush, always said that a cemetery was a safe place o spend the night, for no one would bother you!

There are a couple of funny stories connected with the Cemetery. One occurred in 1950'. A party was given by Amy and Ross Owen at their house, the old Newsom home, for the teenagers in the community. Among those attending the party were their niece, Dorothy Bush, their nephew, W. C. Latham, Jr., Paul Dale Stockbridge, Sara Bode and many others. The young people were playing the popular game, "knock-knock". In this game the girls were in one room, and the boys had to knock at the door for them, and the object of the game was to go for a walk in the moonlight with a partner of your choice! This particular evening the young people were walking to the Newsom Cemetery. Alva Latham and Ross Owen decided it would be quite funny to slip down to the cemetery and frighten the strollers. So, over the objections of Amy Owen, and despite the curiosity of one small girl, namely me, they put a sheet in a milk bucket and secretively slipped through the pasture to the cemetery ahead of the young people, who were walking down the road. They got behind a tombstone, and placed a sheet over their heads, and about the time the couples got to the cemetery they raised up, swaying and moaning. The couples started running for the house, and the rest of the evening they walked toward the cattle guard. There was much laughing about the prank throughout the community.

Another story, recounted by Ila (ILa) Belle Keith and Amy Owen, involved walking home from Hickory Grove Church with their Uncle Jack Bush, he was quite a joker. It was evening, and they were small children. As they approached the cemetery, Uncle Jack began calling the name of a friend, who had recently, died. He proceeded to say, "You think you are awfully smart lying there in that new suit, don't you?"

Amy and Ila begged him not to say such things, for they were sure the devil could come to claim them immediately. They laugh as they recall the incident.
**********************************************
In the records, that are to follow, the left-hand column
gives data from the tombstone, as does the middle column. The remarks in the right hand column are items of interest as recounted by Alna Latham, Amy Bush, and Ila Keith. An unmarked grave refers to a grave without a tombstone with names and dates. However, all graves are marked either by sandstone or granite rocks. The graves marked by sandstone rocks are older than the ones marked by granite rocks. There are several graves which are the resting-place of persons unknown to any of the persons with whom I talked. The only person knowing the identity of those unmarked graves was my grandmother Cammie Earnest Bush. If any person knows the identity of these unknown graves I would appreciate having that information.
According to the family sources, the portion of the cemetery to the
northeast is to be opened if additional burial space is needed in the future.
The deed to the cemetery is copied exactly as written, with the
punctuation and spelling unchanged.
The author of this little history is the great great granddaughter of
W. S. and Sarah Newsom. As with all of the family, she grew up making regular visits to the cemetery. She is vitally interested in recording history of her family. As a result, she compiled this history, so that she might share with others.

Sam Martin Williams
May 24, 1909
January 31, 1971
Husband of Mary Brantley

Mary Williams
Daughter of Warren & Laura Brantley. Space reserved for her burial

Edith Purl Bush
Daughter of Mr. & Mrs. John Bush
February 14, 1915
September 8, 1917
Burley, her brother had this marker placed on her grave in the 1960's

Debbie Ann Bush
Aug 14, 1955
June 21, 1956
Debbie was the daughter of Damon and Francis Buntyn Bush. She choked on a bean

John T. Bush
March 5, 1890
May 12, 1952
John T. was the son of G.W. Bush. Minnie Izora was a Chew.

Burley Alfred Bush
March 29, 1911
Feb. 18, 1981
Burley was the son of John and Minnie Bush. He was a prisoner of War during WWII.

Sina Rosa Bush
1880-1951
Henry Addison was the son of G.W. Bush & Rosa Cates

George Washington was the son of William and Susannah Cook Bush. Nancy Melvina was the daughter of Sarah & Henry Rufus Smith, who participated in many Indian campaigns with the Rangers. Nancy b. 15 Mar. d. 24 October. G.W. b. Sept 4, d. Oct. 20. He was a Methodist preacher

Two unmarked graves south of Henry Bush are his children:
George Bush
born March 12, 1908
died 1909.
Coy Douglas Bush
born Nov 5, 1915
died at birth

baby boy Bush
b & d Sept 3, 1931
South of Amy Ella's grave is the unmarked grave of a child of Jack and Lizzie Bush

Marvin was the son of John & Minnie Bush. Married Vida Mae Davis. Prisoner of War, WWII

Center of cemetery: plot marked by concrete curbing and covered with white gravel. Ten graves.

Mary Amy is the daughter of James W. and Cammie Bush. She was born June 24, 1907. Ross born Dec 3, 1898, died March 27, 1951

Camilla Agnes was the daughter of L.B. Earnest. James William was the son of G.W. Bush. Camilla b Nov 19, 1876, d Feb 20, 1960. J.W. b Aug 30, 1882, d Aug 28, 1963.

David A. Webster
Pvt. 481 Base HQ & AB SQ AAF
July 17, 1904
January 28, 1971

Ben was the husband of Nancy Bush. He was killed in a car crash with sister -in-law, Ruth and her two children

Needham, Ruth Louise
Jan 23, 1911
July 7, 1936
Roberta Louise
Sept 16, 1934
July 6, 1936
John Theodore, Jr.
Jan 21, 1933
July 7, 1936

Ruth was the daughter of J.W. and Cammie Bush. She married John Needham. She and her children were in the car driven by Ben Ferguson, when a drunken doctor hit them head on, near Boerne, Texas. They were returning home from a visit to their family at Pontotoc, Texas. Upon hearing of the tragedy, men working on the bridge south of Pontotoc, laid down their tools and did not do any more work until after the funeral. Friends came in and prepared the large storage room of the Newsom home, where J.W. & Cammie lived, for the funeral.

Johnny was the son of J.W. and Laura B. Black. His grave is south of his parents' graves.

Rock fenced grave of C.A. Berry
Name is carved into the sandstone. He lived on the old Beetle place

These are the two graves of a woman and an infant, related to C.A. Berry. The woman died upon the birth of the infant, bleeding to death. G.W. Bush, who "doctored" people, was called to assist, but could not save her.

P.G. Patterson was killed in the Navy. Circumstances of his death are uncertain. Alva and Amy Bush dearly loved him, and recall the time they nearly smothered him in the quilt box, while playing.

A.J. is the father of the three Patterson children, Ella, Orville, and John. His wife is buried elsewhere.

In Memory of Little Ettie
Daughter of T.J. & M.E. Inman
Jan 6, 1888
July 3, 1889

Little Ettie is buried in a rock fenced enclosure. She was the grand daughter of Martha Lumbley

Unmarked grave west of Ettie Inman or at the head of her grave is Jeff Davis. Etched into the stone is "J.D."
He is the brother of Joe Davis, and grandson of W.S. & Martha Lumbley

There are six unmarked graves between the Scevers and Patterson plots. All Unknown

South of Ettie Inman's grave are four unmarked graves belonging to the Scevers' family. They are:

(South to North)
Thomas Scevers (funeral home marker)
1872-1957
Josie Scevers
Minnie Mae Scevers

South of Bessie Scevers' grave is the unmarked grave of Houston and Jessie Scevers Soloman's infant son.

This is Martha Elizabeth Stone's (wife of John Boone Tuckness) mother and step-father

Two unmarked Lively graves North of the iron fenced plot are:
Henry Lively
John Lively

Two unmarked graves South of the iron fenced plot are:
Billy Lively
Mrs. Billy Lively

M.A. Robertson
June 7, 1839
July 28, 1901
Inscription: "My dear sweet Husband's gone from me. His dear sweet voice is still. A place is vacant in my heart that never can be filled

Four unmarked graves North of Harriet Elvira Tuckness are:
Bulah Sherrod's Child
Uncle Tom Tuckness (brother to John Tuckness)
Bulah Sherrod (daughter of Tom Tuckness)

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