Church Recorded Texas Historic Landmark 1968

Data from "Law's Chapel a History & Records 1853-1976"
Compiled by Charles Steger.
Privately published, 1976.
Used here by permission of author.

A Church and Community

A wagon train led by George Law left Macon County, Georgia in early March, 1853 for Cass County, Texas. The route was over the "Texas Road" west to near Columbus, Georgia where it crossed the Chattahooche River at Bartlett's Ferry, then southwest through Morengo County, Alabama where George Law's brother, James lived. From Alabama they moved on westward to Vicksburg where they ferried the Mississippi River, then through Monroe, Mt. Lebanon, and Minden, Louisiana before reaching Shreveport. The "Texas Road" which closely follows present day U.S. 80 ferried the Red River just north of Texas Street docking at the foot of Bossier Street. This ferry, like the Mississippi ferry, could accommodate two or more teams and wagons. From Shreveport the road was through Greenwood, Louisiana to Old Border now known as Jonesville, Texas where it joined the Clarksville Road. The wagon train turned north on this road to Jefferson and on into Cass County, arriving in late April, 1853. They stopped in the new town of Linden and bought supplies from the store of John Moore across from the new courthouse, built just the previous year.

Their trip had taken about fifty days. On a good day they could travel twenty miles although it was unwise to move cattle more than ten miles a day. On a slow day with breakdowns, unruly cattle, and rivers to cross, they made only ten or twelve miles. After 1870 when the railroads pushed into East Texas, the wagon trains were usually made up of only the men and livestock. The women and young children would follow by train.

It would be pure speculation as to who all made up this particular wagon in 1853, but we are sure of these: George and Martha Law, their sons Richard and Henry, sons-in-law Henry Howell and Alexander Collins, the William Griffin family, the Lewis Waters family, and the William "Billy" Brooks family. Alexander Haynes most likely joined near Columbus, Georgia and the William Maxwells joined along the way. Alex Haynes later married Martha Hill Smith who had come with her parents to Texas in 1836. She is Law's Chapel's only link to the Republic of Texas era. The individual members of these and later families are discussed in more detail in the following section called "First Families."

These newcomers from Georgia arrived in Cass County in late April with little time for planting the much needed crops. Their slaves, for those who had them, could start this chore but the first concern had to be for building plain board and log houses for shelter. By fall of that same year some would still be living in their wagons and under canvas tied between saplings. There was no need to worry about game, it was bountiful. And soon William Maxwell would set up a grist and saw mill. It was run by ox or mule power and stood on the hill which is just west of the intersection of the present Law's Chapel Road and Highway 59. There would be later industry when Ben Lumpkin built a cotton gin in the 1880's and another saw mill about l9OO. These were both located about a mile east of the church.

They were indeed thankful for this good land they now claimed, some of it sold for three and five dollars an acre, but a few weeks were to go by before the need for worship seriously entered their minds. At that time George and Martha Law invited their friends and family to join them in their house for prayer meeting. This was the beginning of Law's Chapel Church.

Later that summer George Law, with the help of William and a few of his other slaves, built a brush arbor across from his house under the oaks that still stand by the present church. Once there were three of these great trees, one right in front of the church. The men used to sit on the exposed roots of this tree to chew tobacco and talk politics and farming. Down the hill from this place was a spring which Mr. Law had discovered when he first arrived. In fact he had told the rest to go to Linden to claim their lands and leave him to this peaceful setting. This spring still flows after a hundred and twenty-three years surrounded, like the church, with oak and hickory trees, dogwood, wild plum, muscadine and woods fern.

For the next few years and until a log church was built, worship would be held under the arbor in summer and in the different homes in winter, not more than once a month, by whatever itinerant preacher came along. It mattered not what faith these men happened to be. After all, the new settlers were of different faiths, although it is generally accepted that the Laws were Methodist. Whenever one of these preachers, known as circuit riders, appeared, young boys or slaves were sent to spread the word" to the area residents. At this time and
until the turn of the century, women often came to church on horseback, riding sidesaddle in their long skirts. To make it easier for them to mount and dismount the horses, two rounds of a large tree trunk, one shorter than the other, were placed side by side to form steps.

The log church sufficed until 1869 when a plank structure thirty feet wide and forty feet long was built. A lean-to was attached to this building for the slaves who attended services. Many of these same slaves are buried in unmarked graves in Law's Chapel Cemetery. Those at Law's Chapel who owned slaves according to the 1860 Slave Census were: George Law with eleven, George Miller with six, Richard Law with four, Sarah (Mrs. Henry) Law with three, Alex Haynes with two, Henry Howell with two, and J. W. F. Cook with one. In 1925 this same building was widened an extra ten feet and is still within the present brick walls.

On October 1, 1859, the church joined the Jefferson District of the Trinity Conference of the Methodist Church. This is the first time that it could officially be called a Methodist Church. The document of the conference reads, "The first social church meeting for Law's Chapel, Linden Circuit, Jefferson District, Trinity Conference, held its first session on the first of October, 1869. On motion, J. W. F. Cook was appointed secretary. On motion, the calling of the roll was dispensed with. The preacher made his report to the meeting. Stewards report $30. Paid, on subscription, $20. On motion there was a missionary society formed and one cent per month from the male members to be paid. The business of the meeting having been transacted, the meeting closed with prayer by the preacher in charge." The document was signed by J.M. Stevenson, the preacher in charge, and grandfather of later Governor of Texas, Coke Stevenson. The Rev. Stevenson is the only circuit rider known by name who had earlier served the church. Also signing the document was James Wiley Franklin Cook who was appointed the church secretary. Charles Hammill was appointed the first pastor.

The Civil War was another hardship to add to those Law"s Chapel had endured for its first eight years. Things were somewhat better here than for all the relatives and friends left back in Alabama and Georgia. In June, 1861, George Law received a letter from his nephew, W. H. Johnson in Clark County, Alabama, who described conditions there. In part, he wrote; "All you can hear here is war, war, war, and hard times and bad prospects for crops. Old Alabama is full of volunteers. Have joined the Home Guard myself..... times are very hard in
this country. The crops look very sorry and grasshoppers are eating our cotton and corn .... I expect you have a heap of deer and turkey. Here we have nothing but squirrel .... Religion is at a low ebb in this vicinity. It looks like that people feel more like cursing than praying."

In the cemetery are the graves of these known Civil War Veterans who all served from Alabama before coming to Cass County: Wash Harper, T. S. McDuffie, James A. Pierce, and Bradberry Teel. These served from Cass County: William Dunlap, Alex Haynes, B. F. Lumpkin and Robert Lumpkin, who were in our own Home, Guard, Henry Paulette, Allen W. Steger, and David Waters. James Harris (husband of Elizabeth Law), Elijah Echols, and George A. Law served from Cass County but are buried elsewhere.

The Law's Chapel residents who stayed behind did their share for the war effort. All farm products were assessed and the surplus was sent to the army. In January, 1862 a special war tax was levied at .25 on each one hundred dollars property valuation. Sarah Law paid seven dollars on her farm which must have been costly for the times. George Law died before the end of the war never knowing if the storm clouds of that conflict spread over his beloved spring. Of course, they didn't.

Mail for Law's Chapel could be received at Courtland until 1867 or at Linden. Beginning in 1872, mail was received in Atlanta which had been founded by that time. From 1898 until 1904 there was a post office at Roach, two miles west of Law's Chapel. James O'Rear was the postmaster. Until 1869 there were few houses on the old Atlanta and Linden Road. It was then known as the Linden and Bright Star, Arkansas Road and traces of it still exist just south of the church. The only other churches in the eastern part of Cass County at this time were Enon Primitive Baptist established in 1845 near Anti, Antioch Baptist in 1856, and Douglassville Baptist in 1859. Other churches came in the 1860s.

In January of 1867, toll bridges were built over Johns and Frazier creeks by Lewis Watson. This made it easier for the residents to get to Linden or travel westward in the rainy seasons but was another added expense to their lives. The years after the Civil War were to be difficult for everyone.

In 1869 Richard R. Law, son of George Law, deeded land for the church and cemetery. Richard's brother, Henry, had died in 1854 and was the first buried on the hill by the church. All this was then Law property. This deed recorded at Linden reads:

The State of Texas

County of Davis [Cass County's name from 1861-18711 19th day of October, A.D. 1869

Known by all men by these presents that I Richard R. Law of the aforesaid State and County as far and In consideration of $10 to me In hand paid, the receipt whereof Is hearby acknowledged, has sold and by these presents do bargain, sell, and convey unto Henry Howell, Lewis Waters, Wm. E. Griffin, Alex Haynes, A.W. Steger, J.W.F. Cook, and B.F. Lumpkin of the aforesaid State and County as trustees for the Methodist Episcopal Church South to them and their successors in office forever a certain tract or parcel of land where the Church House known as Law's Chapel now stands situated between the waters of John's and Black Bayou. It being part of the Headrights - League granted to Peter M. Keaton containing six acres of land to them and to their successors in office forever In trust for the use of the members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South according to the rules and descisions which from time to lime may be agreed upon and alloted by the ministers and preachers of said church In their General Conferences and In further trust and confidence that they shall at all times forever thereafter permit such ministers and preachers belonging to said church as shall time to time be duly authorized by the Conference of the said Methodist Episcopal Church South to preach and expound God's Holy Word In the House of Worship that Is thereon now erected and any that may be hereafter erected and the said Richard R. Law doth by these presents warrant and forever defend the before mentioned and described lot or parcel of land with the assurance thereto belonging unto the said trustees above mentioned and their successors.

Witness: Wesley Cook
[signed]
Richard R. Law
James L. Smith

Formal education was evident in the community as early as 1857 when B.S. DuBose taught school there, possibly in the church. In 1856 Marion Hill Fitzpatrick, brother of Mrs. Henry Law, was teaching school in Linden. He loaned his sister some of his textbooks and they were being used at Law's Chapel in 1865. It is possible that at times when a tutor couldn't be hired the women taught the children at home or at the church. In the early 1880s, a school was built one mile east of Law's Chapel and was known by some as the Lumpkin School and others, the Law's Chapel School. In 1908 it was moved to the intersection of the Law's Chapel and Linden Roads. In 1918 this school was consolidated with the Piney Grove School and was then called Liberty Grove. Richard C. Law was a teacher at the Lumpkin School and Mattie Perkins Steger was there in 1918. Another area school was at Harmony a few miles to the west. George Harper taught there in 1911.

Equally important was religious education or Sunday School. The following 1890,1892, and 1911 records have been included to relate some of this activity. In May, June, and July, 1890, T.R.A. Willis taught Class One. The pupils were: J.P. Law, J.F. Rich, C.F. Law, T.O. Willis, Tom Haynes, and C.H. Lumpkin. In 1892, Kittie Echols became the teacher of this class.

Class 2 was taught by Miss Hattie Lumpkin. Members of this class were: Ida Lumpkin, Nora Law, W.D. Waters Jr., Sam Nixon, Henry Howell, Sarah Law, Belle Law, B.F. Lumpkin, Jr., R.A. White, Bob Law, Sarah Lumpkin, Eva Thomas, W.G. Askew, F.L. Haynes, Ida Fowler, Mattie Dunlap, Maudie Jackson, Stella Haynes, E.J. Willis, Lavonia Rich, Jessie Townsend, and Oscar Griffin.

H.M. Nixon was in charge of Class 3 and the students were: Fannie Law, Bettie Lumpkin, W.H. Law, J. Willson, C.W. Waters, Anna White, Rosa Law, Charlie White, Walter Shelton, Raddie Law, Lizzie Law, Docia Thomas, Doc Fowler, and John Burson.

Class 4 was taught by Miss Mary J. Howell. In her class were: Silas Nixon, James H. Law, Horace Law, Emma Law, Fannie Waters, Mabel Law, Bertie Law, Lonie Thomas, Pat Willis, and Tom Mallons.

The 1892 Sunday School Officers were: J.P. Law - Superintendent, Willie Waters - Secretary, Lester Harper - Asst. Sect., Homer Paulette Librarian, Richard White - Asst. Librarian, and G.H. Lumpkin Treasurer. On June 4, 1911, a singing class was conducted by James Law. The teachers were: George Harper, Will Salmon, Harry Waters, Ben Harper, and Sloan Pyle.

World Wars One and Two would bring Law's Chapel and Piney Grove Baptist Church (organized in 1887) to their present close relationship. Law's Chapel Cemetery would become the final resting place for veterans who served from both communities. World War One Veterans buried here are: Ernest Armstrong, George Boland, Ezra Clayton, John Cloudis, William Garrison, James Hinton, Claude Jaynes, Dennis Law, Richard "Dick" Law, Gene Pierce, Frank Smith, Jesse Thomas, Robert Washington, and Richard Waters. World War Two Veterans are: Thomas Adcock, Carl Anderson, William Boland, Pete Boland, John Clayton, Mac Dainwood, James Gilmore, Waylon Gilmore, James Green, Travis Harper, Mack King, J.D. Law, Jesse Llewellyn, John Lummus, Elbert Lummus, John Spivey, Benson Steed, Lester Turner, Oliver Willson, and William Waters. Korean Veterans are Billy Bob Burson and Joe Winford Lee. Jesse Llewellyn who served in World War Two also served in Korea and Viet Nam.

The good times would always return between the wars with singings and dinner on the ground at conference time. The spring was still the only water supply during all these years and a happy place for young and old alike to visit. Law's Chapel held its spell on not only its members of times gone by but often on the former pastors who would return here to live. Joe Z. and Berle Tower, Hargrove and Ombra Grounds, and L.D. and Foy Reagan have made their homes in the community. The Rev. S.S. Rich was never appointed to Law's Chapel but brought his family here about 1915. He was often called on to preach at times when the resident pastor was away. Being partially blind, he would have someone read his text for him but from that point on he needed no help to preach a fiery sermon.

Law's Chapel began it's modernization in 1940 when the kerosene lamps were replaced by electricity from the Rural Electric Administration. In 1948 wainscoting, paneling, and a composition ceiling were added. A vestibule was attached and then a kitchen, dining room, and extra classrooms. The handmade benches were replaced with pews bought from the First Methodist Church of Vivian, Louisiana and cushions were donated by the First Methodist Church of Atlanta. A communion rail was built at the altar. In 1967 central heat and air conditioning were installed and all of this enclosed by brick in 1974. The church continues toward the future as in the past with the enthusiastic support of its members. A line from the poem, Church Memories, best expresses Law's Chapel - "A lot of sweat and labor, A little money too".

The First Families

Every effort has been made to establish exactly who was a charter member at Law's Chapel through a search of family and county records and census reports. In order to credit all those who benefited the early church, the members have been placed into two categories; Charter Members, those known to have been at Law's Chapel in 1853, and Founding Members, those who came throughout the intervening years to permanently establish the church. These biographical sketches are in the order of the arrival of each family up until 1902. Not all were Methodist and many went on to form other Cass County congregations, notably Piney Grove Baptist Church, O'Farrell Methodist Church, and Atlanta Methodist
Church which was founded in 1873.

CHARTER MEMBERS

George Law (1789-1864), born in South Carolina, and on March 2, 1813, in that state, married Martha McDonald (1783-1865). They moved to Macon County, Georgia between 1830 and 1840 and came to Cass County in 1853. They founded Law's Chapel which is named for them. Living at home with their parents at that time were the following daughters who would later add their families to the growing membership of the church: Elizabeth (1836-1870) who in 1855 married James Harris, Mary who married Wiley Wilks, and Eugenia (1847-1910) who in 1874 married William White, son of William V. and Mary White. George and Martha Law's funerals were both conducted by Charles Hammill, the first appointed pastor to Law's Chapel. The Laws lived across from and just north of the church.

Richard R. Law (1818-1877) and his wife, Mary E. Waters (1818-1896) came with his parents, George and Martha Law, in 1853. With them at the time were these children: John (1841-1901) who married Alemeda Wilson, Henry (1843-1864), William Goodson (1856-1911) who married Fannie Blackman, Fannie A. born in 1847, Robert R. (1850-1913) who married Sallie Rogers (1856-1913), and Richard A. (1852-1932) who married Mary Jane Barber (1857-1940). After their arrival in Cass County these children were born: N. L. in 1854 and McDonald in 1858. Richard R. Law deeded the land for the church and cemetery in 1869.

Henry G. Law (1813-1854) and Sarah Fitzpatrick Law (1822-1903) came with his parents, George and Martha Law in 1853. Their children who became early members of the church were: Mattie Alice (1839-1880), Josephine (18411866), Mary Addeline (1843-1915) (all these at one time or another married B.F. Lumpkin), Richard Isiah (1844-1865), George who married Lillie Waters, Cicesro (1843-1910) who married Emmy Maxwell (1854-1914), James P. (1851-1918) who married Sarah A. Leonard, and Henry (1853-1854). Henry G. Law died in July of 1854, the year after coming to Cass County, and was the first buried at Law's Chapel. The Henry Law farm was south of the church.

Henry Howell (1816-1885) first married Jane Law, daughter of George and Martha Law, and they were with the wagon train in 1853. With them at the time was one child, Francis (1850-1864) who was born in Georgia. Henry Howell and his second wife, Mary A. Leonard (1843-1917) had two known children; Rachel born in 1867 and Henry J. (1875-1933). The Howell homestead was on the east bank of Johns Creek a mile west of Law's Chapel.

Alexander Collins born in Georgia in 1819 married Sarah Ann Law, another daughter of George and Martha Law. She was born in South Carolina in 1827. With them in 1853 were these sons: William Godson born in 1845 and Alexander W. (1853-1874). Later births were: James Porter in 1855, Martha C. in 1856, George in 1859, Fannie in 1865, and Julian in 1868.

William Maxwell (1822-1873) and his wife, Arenie (1822-1896) were born in Tennessee. It is told that they came with the Laws on the wagon train from Georgia but must have joined along the way as their older children were also born in Tennessee. With them when they arrived here were George (1840-1890), Nellie born in 1847, Mary in 1849, and William J. in 1851. After their arrival in Cass County were born Sarah Emily (1854-1914) who married Ciscero Law, Florence in 1858, Albert in 1859, Julia in 1861, Thomas G. (1863-1930), and Margaret born in 1865. Mr. Maxwell owned the grist mill.

Alexander Haynes (1835-1897) born near Columbus, Georgia came with the wagon train as a single man. In 1856 he married Martha Hill Smith (1828-1906) who's timely services and dignity were added to the church. Her death was noted in the church log. Mr Haynes was a trustee of the church and a Confederate Veteran. The Haynes children were: Leonard Franklin (1858-1945) who married Maggie Draper (1876-1970), Jerome born in 1860 who married Emma Fowler, John (1862-1937) who married Sarah Jones, Julia born in 1866 who married Ross McClung, Lou (1868-1893), and Tom (1870-1952). Mrs. Haynes had two children by a previous marriage, Almeda and Robert Smith. Almeda Smith married Richard Butler. The Haynes farm was north of the church near Antioch (Anti).

William E. Griffin (1824-1899) born in Alabama, and Mary A. (1825-1893) from Georgia, came to Law's Chapel in 1853 from Tennessee. They may not have been here for the founding but came shortly thereafter. Their children were; Mary born in 1847, Sarah R. in 1848, William Thomas (1850-1941) who married first Trecie Ann Lyle (1851-1899) and secondly Sally Betts (1860-1952), John S. (1851-1926), Walter R. (1853-1902), Dorah R. (1855-1863), Ben M. born in 1858, Margaret F. (1859-1863), Savil in 1861, Christopher in 1863, Calvin A. (1866-1917), and Green in 1868.

Lewis Waters (1820-1885) born in South Carolina, and Nancy (1822-1898) were with the wagon train in 1853. With their parents were: John W. born in 1845, George W. (1847-1920) and Lillie born in 1852. Born in Cass County were: David (1857-1925), Mary A. in 1858, and Henry (1861-1866).

William "Billy" Brooks born in Georgia in 1808 and Allie born in North Carolina in 1810 were with the original settlers along with these children: Laura born in 1838, George W. in 1841, James C. in 1845, Elbert in 1848, and William R. in 1851. Charles W. was born in Cass County in 1856. The Brooks were neighbors to Richard and Mary Law.

FOUNDING MEMBERS

James C. Cain born in Tennessee in 1815, and his wife, Nancy born in Georgia in 1823, came to Law's Chapel in 1855. After their arrival in Texas these children were born: Jane in l861, John C. in 1863 (married Mary L. Law) and Gupton born in 1867.

David D. Waters (1822-1907), brother to Lewis Waters, came to Cass County in 1856. He married Missouri Brooks (1829-1919) in Georgia. These children were born to them in Georgia; Richard in 1850 and Susan in 1853. Catherine E. (1854-1864) was born in Louisiana. William D. (1857-1925) who married Georgia Ann White (1856-1940) and Missouri M. (1858-1862) were born in Texas. David Waters served in the Confederate Army. The Waters farm was just back of the church.

Wesley Cook (1803-1880) and his wife, Mary Brooks (1808-1870) came to Law's Chapel in 1857 from their home in Alabama. They and their children were born in Georgia, moving to Alabama in 1844. With them in 1857 were these children and their families: Sarah Jane born in 1827 and her husband, Josiah O'Rear Sr.; James Wiley Franklin (1829-1907) and his wife, Mary E. Howell; Elizabeth Ann born in 1831 and her husband, James L. Smith; Mary Eliza (1834-1908) and her husband, George Hamilton Miller; Martha Ann (1840-1905) who in 1865 married Dr. Robert Donald Lumpkin; Adryann Sophrony "Addie" (1844-1899) who later married James O'Rear; and Samantha Elenora Heard (1847-1880) who in 1865 married Allen Walter Steger. Most of these individual families follow. Wesley lived just west of Roach on the old Atlanta and Linden Road on the north side of the road.

George Hamilton Miller (1823-1883) married Mary Eliza Cook, daughter of Wesley Cook, in Russell County, Alabama in 1854. Their children were: Virgil A. born in 1856, Mary Ada (married Albert L. Duem), and James Oscar (1864-1913).

James Wiley Franklin Cook (1829-1909) in 1857 married in Alabama, Mary Elizabeth Howell (1839-1903) and in that same year came to Law's Chapel with his parents. These of their children reached maturity: Martha Rebecca (1866-1905) who married R.H. Vaughan, James Wesley Neal (1868-1899), Daniel Casper (1871-1958), Sarah (1873-1942) who married J.H. Harrod, Sophronia (1874-1931) who married James C. Griffin, Virginia A. (1879-1901) married William Vaughan, and Jesse Baring Cook (1882-1956). These children died in infancy; William, Mary, and Nathaniel. James W. F. Cook was church secretary in 1859 when Law's Chapel joined the Methodist Conference and was a trustee when the church deed was signed in 1869.

Allen Walter Steger (1845-1916) born in Georgia, came to Cass County in 1854, and to Law's Chapel in August, 1865 when he married Samantha Elenora Heard Cook (1847-1880), daughter of Wesley Cook. Their children were; Emmett Ernest (1870-1948) who married Mollie Tate (1873-1950) daughter of John and Sarah Tate, Elbert Wesley (1872-1913) who married Sarah Lumpkin (1874-1948) daughter of B.F. and Mattie Law Lumpkin, Alfred Merritt "Met" (1875-1960) whol married Mattie Perkins, and Allen Homer (1879-1950) who married Mattie's sister, Alva Perkins. A.W. Steger married the second time, Louisa "Lou" Brooks and their children were; Walter, Virgil,' Ethel (Griffin), and Estell (Mrs. Dee Witt). Elbert and Sarah Steger and Met and Mattie Steger remained active at Law's Chapel. Emmett and Mollie Steger made O'Farrell their home. A.W. Steger was a Confederate Veteran, Sunday School Superintendent for Atlanta First Methodist, and building supervisor for the same church in 1890. The Steger farm was west of Law's Chapel just off the old Atlanta and Linden Road.

James L. Smith (1822-1884) married Elizabeth Ann Cook, daughter of Wesley Cook, in Chambers County, Alabama in 1848. Their children were: Anneliza (Mrs. Josiah O'Rear, Jr.), Julia (1858-1932) who married Thomas William Dawson Teel (1859-1941), Robert who died young, and Jennie Ophelia (1872-1941) who married Henry Bruce, Jr. (1869-1942).

Josiah O'Rear, Sr. born in Georgia.in 1800 married for the second time in Russell County, Alabama, Sarah Cook Rutledge. She was the widow of William T. Rutledge and a daughter of WesleyCook. Josiah O'Rear's children all by his first marriage, were: Wash born in Georgia in 1834 who married his stepsister, Mary Rutledge (1846-1871). After the death of Wash, she married Vastine Caver which was his second marriage; Algernon Sidney (1838-1905) married his stepsister, Martha Rutledge (1850-1923) and their children were John (1874-1955), EIlen (Mrs. Jim Gunn), Lelia (Mrs. Will Hamilton), Osborn (1880-1964) who married Pearl Tarver daughter of Samuel and Mattie Sue Farmer Tarver, and Lura; Josiah O'Rear, Jr. (1842-1911) married Annaliza Smith (1848-1931) daughter of James L. and Elizabeth Cook Smtih; James A. (next family group); Sarah M. born in Alabama in 1848 who married Henry Bruce, Sr.; and Benjamine Franklin born in 1851.

James A. O'Rear (1845-1926) married Adryann Sophrony "Addie" Cook (1844 -1899), daughter of Wesley Cook, in Alabama and came with the Cooks to Cass County in 1857. Of their nine children only these two reached maturity; Abrigail "Abbie" (1873-1956) who married Columbus Vastine "Lum" Caver and Lee Roy (1883-1947) who married Ama Zona Weems (1888-1939) daughter of Jesse and Fannie Corley Weems. Mr. Weems was killed at Jefferson, Texas on a mission for supplies.

James M. Pratt born in Georgia in 1823 and his wife, Louisa born in 1835 were in the community in 1857. With them on their arrival was a daughter, Nancy C. born in 1856 and who died at Law's Chapel in May of 1860. Born to them in Texas was Mary in 1858, Ella in 1861, John in 1864, and Emma in 1868.

Wilbur Salmon was born in Alabama in 1849 and died in Atlanta in 1915. He married Mary Alice Blaydes (1851-1935) daughter of Robert and Sarah Harralson Blaydes. Wilbur Salmon came to Cass County in 1857 to live with an older brother, Dr. George Salmon, at Courtland. There he joined Co. B. of Carter's Cavalry during the Civil War. The Salmon children were; Sarah "Birdie" (White), Robert, George Will (1878-1946) who married Una Law, Myrtle (Mrs. Emmett Wall), Frank R., Bessie (Mrs. Geo. Smith), Ruthie, and a daughter Wilbur (1892-1949) who was a prominent member of Atlanta's First Christian Church.

Henry Riley born in Georgia in 1806 and his wife, Catie, born in 1810 were at Law's Chapel in the late 1850s. With them were their sons, Indy born in 1838, William in 1840, James Franklin (1841-1872), and Silas born in 1845. William Riley (1867-1936), son of James Franklin and Mary Anna Riley married Mary Alice Lumpkin daughter of Ben F. and Mattie Law Lumpkin.

William V. White (1821-1864) married Mary Jane Stephens (1822-1916) in 1840. They came to Law's Chapel in 1860 from their home in Georgia and became members of the church then. After Mr. White's death, Mrs. White made Law's Chapel her primary interest for more than a half century. At the time of her death she was praised for her beautiful Christian character and for meeting the responsibilities of her home and church with remarkable heroism. Their children were William Thomas (1854-1933) who married Eugenia Law and Charlie A. (1858-1945). Children of William and Eugenia White were; Richard A. (1875-1964) who married (1) Jennie Cate and (2) Birdie Lanier, Charlie Will (1877-1955) who married Estelle Ford, Annie born in 1879, and Coy (1884-1972) who married Monnie Fouche.

John R. McDonald "Mack" Law born in South Carolina in 1817 and his wife, Elizabeth E. (1827-1914) came to Law's Chapel in 1860. Mack Law was the son of Jarrett Law, brother of George, and his mother, Ann, was a sister of Martha McDonald Law. Mack and Elizabeth Law's children were; John McDonald born in 1846 (his wife, Mary Lillie born in Georgia in 1857); Thomas H. born in 1848 married Martha "Mattie" Maxey born in Miss. in 1851; Elizabeth Ann born in 1850 married Joe Taylor; Joseph Alexander (1852-1932) married Margaret Baxter Pyle (1858-1941) daughter of David and Nancy Pyle; Seale born in 1853; George born in 1858; Napoleon "Pole" born in 1861 who married Fannie Davis; and Margaret (1862-1948) who married William D. Yancy (1852-1907).

George Lumpkin (1800-1881) born in North Carolina and Mary (1805-1879) born in Tennessee came to Law's Chapel in 1863 from their home in Floyd County, Georgia after a stay in Pleasant Grove, Alabama. Their children were: Martha (Hinshaw) born in 1832 who remained in Alabama; Susan Helen who married James A. Pierce; Dr. Robert Donald (1843-1919) who first married Martha Ann Cook, daughter of Wesley Cook, and secondly, Clementine Campbell; and Benjamine Franklin "Frank" (1846-1929) who married three daughters of Henry and Sarah Law: Josephine in 1865, Mattie Alice in 1867 (the mother of his children), and Addeline in 1882. Of Dr. Robert Lumpkin's children, only three lived to maturity; William (1872-1944), Addrian (1875-1953), and Roxanna (1881-1957) who married Melvin Walker. Frank Lumpkin's children were: Henry who married Kitty Echols, Alice who married William Riley, Harriet who married Brice Brooks, Sarah who married Elbert Steger, Ben F. Jr. who married Janie Echols, Ida who married Jim Willson, and Bettie who married Larce McClannahan. The Lumpkin farms were a mile east of the church.

James Andrew Pierce (1827-1910) born in North Carolina, married Susan Helen Lumpkin (1839-1923), the daughter of George and Mary Lumpkin. They married in 1858 when both families were living in Pleasant Grove, Alabama. While James Pierce was fighting in the Civil War, his wife and two of their children moved to Cass County with her parents. He joined them after the war. Their children were; Albert (1860-1943) who married Lulie McKensey, Robert born in 1862 who married Sallie Rosser, James, Jr. (1865-1880), Mary Elizabeth (1867-1895), Margaret "Maggie" (1870-1963), Fannie Eveline (Allison) (1871-1958), John Patton (1874-1953) who married Mattie Chappelier, Joe Hiriam (1876-1958) who married Bertha Paulette, George (1879-1881), and Babe (1883-1959). The Pierce farm was in the present Oak Grove community.

Ruffin Anderson Willis (1821-1884) born in Caswell County, North Carolina, and Jane Hutchins Willis (1824-1875) born in Wake County, North Carolina were at Law's Chapel by 1865, after a stay in Arkansas. Their known children are Thomas Ruffin Anderson Willis born in Tennessee in 1848 (married Emma Henning) and Howell (1857-1884) who is buried at Law's Chapel along with his parents. The Willis family were early members of Atlanta's First Methodist.

David Pyle born in Georgia in 1821 and Nancy Dodd Pyle born in 1834 came to the community in 1867. Their children were; Annie E. born in 1856, Margaret born in 1858 (Mrs. Joseph Law), Mary F. born in 1862, David H. born in 1866, and Theophelus "Theo" (1868-1956). Theo and wife, Jennie, are on the roll books for 1898. The Pyle farm was in present Oak Grove community.

Vastine V. Caver (1823-1904) and Frances Caver (1827-1870) came to Law's Chapel in 1868 from Georgia after a seven year stay in Alabama. With them in 1868 were these children: William Thomas (1848-1930) who married Laura Rutledge (1852-1879) and are both buried at O'Farrell; Charles born in 1852; Franklin born in 1854; Baskin (1857-1939); James born in 1860; Columbus Vastine "Lum" (1862-1935) who married Abrigail "Abbie" O'Rear (1873-1956), daughter of James A. and Addie Cook O'Rear; and Wiley born in 1868. Vastine Caver married for the second time Mary Rutledge, widow of Wash O'Rear, who was a sister to his own daughter-in-law, Laura. They had a son, Walter R. (1874-1962) who married Callie Smith (1875-1969). The Caver farm was four miles northwest of Law's Chapel near O'Farrell.

John Walter Thomas born in 1831 and Caroline born in 1830 were at Law's Chapel in 1869. Their children were; Joseph "Joe" (1859-1936) who married Josie Burson, John D. (1861-1937) who married Florrie Ray, James M., and William " Pet" (1870-1953) who married Minnie Cooly, John Thomas (1856-1930) son of John Walter's brother, Sterling Thomas, possibly came with his uncle to Cass County. He married first, Susan Jackson, and secondly, Angie Burson. His and Susan's children were; Eva (Echols), Docia who married Monroe Crews, Robert (1882-1910) who married Emma Martin, and Willie Sloan who married Lilla Steed.

Cyrus A. Perkins (1844-1916) and David (1848-1907) Perkins were born in Virginia and living alone at Law's Chapel in 1870. Cyrus and his wife, Kizah Angeline (1845-1914) had these children; Tom born in 1872, Martha (1873-1874), Nancy born in 1874, Sarah in 1875, Mary in 1877, Viola in 1878, and Cyrus (1879-1890). David Perkins married Eliza Jane Rutledge (1848-1913), daughter of Sarah Jane Cook and Wiliam T. Rutledge, and granddaughter of Wesley Cook. Their children were; John A. born in 1874; Martha "Mattie" (1876-1962) who married "Met" Steger, Mary Lee (1878-1880), Alva Deliah (1880-1956) who married Homer Steger, David (1883-1914) who married Elizabeth Tarver (1878-1948), and Iva (Mrs. Walter Anderson). David Perkins lived for many years at the crest of a high hill one mile west of O"Farrell.

Dr. R. F. Sloan born in North Carolina in 1834, married Annie E. Graham in Cass County in April of 1867. She was born in Tennessee in 1844. Their children were: Jennie (1868-1948) who married Theo W. Pyle, Willie (1870-1946) who married Oscar Cowgill (1869-1951), and Madge (Mrs. John Powell). The impressive Sloan home was on the west bank of John's Creek. Two large magnolias are all that remain.

Washington "Wash" Harper (1845-1933) was born in Henry County, Alabama. He enlisted in the Confederate Army at Knoxville, Tennessee and was at Chicamauga and Missionary Ridge. Captured in 1854, he was released at Rock Island, Illinois in 1865. He came to Texas in 1870 and first settled at Douglasville. In 1872 he married Elizabeth "Betty" Draper (1845-1927) who was born in Barber County, Alabama. They moved to Law's Chapel in 1876 and although Baptist, were a part of the community along with these children: Lester born in 1873 (later Cass County judge) who married Mary Allen, Cissero born in 1874, Alasco (1877-1936) who married Susanna Wall (1884-1941), May (1878-1885), Will A. (1881-1959) who married Julia Wiggins, Sloan (1883-1929), Ben (1885-1968), and George (1887-1968) who married Mary Reed (1886-1952).

Richard Jackson Burson (1831-1891) and Nancy Elizabeth Cooper Burson (1841-1906) came to Law's Chapel in 1874 from Alabama. Their children; Josephine "Josie" (1861-1936) who married Joe Thomas, Richard, Sarah "Angie" (1867-1953) who married John Thomas, and Albert were born in Alabama. Son, Emitt, was born in Louisiana in 1873. William T. (1874-1951), John, Ebb (1881-1917), and Walter (1884-1962) were all born in Texas. Ernest "Doc" Burson (1862-1952) was a son of Richard Burson's brother, Noah. "Doc" Burson married Nora Law, daughter of Cicesro and Sarah Maxwell Law.

Elijah Echols (1823-1898), a Civil War veteran, and Mary EIizabeth Eisenhower (1848-1879) were the parents of these children: Emma (1869-1897), Kitty Virginia (1870-1940) who married Henry Lumpkin, Sylvania (1873-1960) who married Eva Thomas, Janie (1874-1950) who married B.F. Lumpkin Jr., Fannie (1874-1959) twin to Janie who married Homer Paulette, Georgia, and James C. (1879-1902). Mr. and Mrs. Echols and two of their children are buried on their farm which was three miles west of Law's Chapel. A brother Sylvania G. born in 1830 and his wife, Lucinda (born 1834) were in the community also. Their children were: Elijah R. born in 1853, Lizzie in 1859, Newton in 1861 (father of O.C. Echols and Lola Caver), Mary born in 1964, Daniel in 1866, and Lucinda in 1872.

John H. Bransford (1828-1903) and Susan Ellis Bransford (1828-1885) came to Law's Chapel in 1865 from Alabama. Their children were: James H. who .married Flora Martin, Hennington (1849-1931) who married Maud Jackson, Nathan, John Marion who married Mattie Fullerton, Edwin (1858-1883), Robert, Josiah, Callie Fornia (1868-1939) who married Oscar Rhea, Winston (1870-1955) who married Kittie Golden, and Cora (1872-1926) who married John Martin. The Bransford farm was just west of Black Bayou.

Riley Askew born in Georgia in 1835 and Mary E. born in Alabama in 1839 came to Texas in 1875. Their children born in Alabama were; Ben born in 1861, Elizabeth in 1865, Virginia in 1867, and Woodson in 1873.

Bradberry Teel born in Georgia in 1838 and his wife, Susanna, born in 1844 were at Law's Chapel by 1880. Their children all born in Alabama were: Thomas William Dawson (1859-1941) who married Julia Smith daughter of James L. and Elizabeth Cook Smith, Mary A. born in 1862, Lucinda in 1864, and Oliver B. (1871-1949). Bradberry Teel was with the Alabama Infantry in the Civil War.

Sim H. Frazier (1853-1931) was born in Lee County, Alabama and Caroline Drucilla "Carrie" (1854-1929) was born near Columbus, Georgia. They married December 3, 1873 and came to Cass County in 1880 on the recommendation of Vastine Caver. They first settled at O'Farrell, later lived at Harmony, and then moved to Law's Chapel. Their children were: Charlie born in Alabama who later returned there, Thomas Alexander (1880-1926) who married Prudence "Prudy" Mounce, Hattie born in 1884 who married Albert Sidney Cates, Lizzie born in 1886 who married Sam Scott, Norman (1889-1913), and Hettie Minnis born in 1892 who married Charles Clem Stone. Clem and "Miss Minnis" Stone were stalwarts of nearby New Colony Baptist Church.

Andrew Phillip "Andy" Fouche (18611935) born in Marion County, Georgia and married there on June 29, 1884, Ina Lavonia Wall (1866-1934). They moved to Cass County in 1892. Their children were: Wanzie E. (1885-1958), Mary Lovie born in 1886, Monnie (1887-1966) who married Coy White son of William and Eugenia Law White, Willie (1888-1938) who married G.R. Boland, Herbert "Hub" (1889-1965), Cora born 1891 who married Arthur Smith, Martin born 1892, Elizabeth born in 1894 (Mrs. C.C. Porter, Jacob David (1897-1951), Gula born in 1897, Andy born 1899, Ennie (1901-1902), Uman (1902-1969), Lester (1904-1923), and Ina born in 1911, who married Marshall F. Sachse and they now live in Linden.

John W. Sharrer (1857-1942) married in Warren County, Kentucky, December 4, 1878, Hester C. Maxey (1859-1940). They came to Law's Chapel in 1902. Their children born in Kentucky were; Alvin who married Ada Echols, Milborn A. (1885-1959) who married Lona Tate daughter of John and Sarah Tate of O'Farrell, John Summers who married Maude Wilkerson, and Eula who married J.P. Law. Mr. Sharrer served as a mail carrier for Atlanta's Route One for 18 years.