Liberty-Sylvania   In the year 1853, there stood on Brushy Creek a clap board school house about 16 by 18 feet in dimension, floored with "raw hide lumber," with split logs for benches, holes bored in the round side and short wooden legs fitted into them. A hard uncomfortable seat without back or cushion, but that was the custom of the day and no one ever grumbled or complained. Instead, they felt proud that the community was able to do so well. Children for four or five miles around came for instruction allowing enough time for them to reach their homes by sunset. On Sundays the pioneers assembled to hear the Gospel expounded. In 1853, Brother William Rawlins preached the first Campbellite sermon, as it was called, in this school, and at least one young girl went home and told her mother that the man preached more like the Bible than anyone she had ever heard. Next came Brother Sweet, who continued his labors in this neighborhood for some five years, preaching in private homes at night and at the school house on Sundays. He was assisted at least once as early as 1865 by Brother Polly with a two day meeting. In 1858, lumber was hauled from East Texas in wagons to a site a bit farther down on Red Oak Creek on the east side of present day Rockett. It was there that Liberty Church proper was built - a house to be occupied on Sundays in each month by the four "Denominations" as they were called. Other pioneer preachers included Brothers Dean, Goodman, Isaac Jones and Tommy Witherspoon. The following is a partial list of the membership in 1860: H. P. [Harmon} and Henrietta Crum; William Geaslin, Ruth Geaslin, Sara Geaslin, Newton Jasper Geaslin, David Geaslin, Rebecca Geaslin, Melinda Geaslin, Mary Ann Geaslin, Lizzie Hill, Sallie Hill, John Pace, Emily Pace, R. J. and Nancy E. Rockett, Perry Crawford, Sam M. Tilford, Elmira M. Tilford, Mrs. Mary Douglas, Mrs. Susannah Douglas Bell, Mrs. Laura Douglas Robinson, Lizzie Douglas, Mrs. Mary Douglas, J. D. Orr, Mrs. Cynthia Orr, R. R. Graves, George Harkey, Mrs. Linney Pace Lemmon, Mrs. Nancy Smith, W. M. Smith, Mrs. Lelia Smith Farrar and Mrs. Julia Pierce. "Rights and privileges of church membership having been extended to slaves, the following is as complete a record as can be compiled at the present writing, 1893, of their names and history: Jerry Smith, servant of Mrs. Nancy Smith, was baptized by Brother Sweet in 1858, and continued in good following until about 1865, when he was notified by the Ku Klux that he must stay away from church on penalty of his life. At last accounts his mind was shattered from superstitious fears. Hixie Farrar (female) baptised by Brother Sweet in 1858 - married Tom Weatherford and moved to Missouri about 1870. Thomas Graves - baptized by Brother Sweat and moved. Mary Graves - baptized by Brother Sweet and moved away in 1868. Miss Vina Graves - history unknown; Mrs. Mahala Graves - died; Grandison Farrar - died, Mariah Crum. The aforesaid were slaves of the parties whose names they bore and scattered off when set free. "  Note: Church services are still held regularly in 2002. References: Interviews with numerous people acquainted with the history of the church and families identified with it. History written by "Uncle George Douglas" Wire recording of the Centennial held May 24, 1953, as compiled by Harvey M. Redford, Pastor of Rockett Christian Church Ellis County History, Vols. II, XV, compiled 1957 by Mrs. A. L. Feltenberger, Pres. Rebecca Boyce Chapter DAR.   Copyright © 2002-2016, Ellis County TXGenWeb. All Rights Reserved. This page was last modified: Thursday, 01-Jul-2021 13:17:11 MDT