History of Mount Calvary
- 1853,November 21
--640 acres of land in the John Young Survey, which was originally acquired by John Young of Nacogdoches County in April 1850, under a Peters Colony grant, was bought by Christopher Huffhines (son of Elizabeth Wright Huffhines) for $1200. (This included the land that composed Mount Calvary Cemetery - located some two miles southwest of town (Dallas) on Valley View)
- 1859, February<
--Will Huffhines bought 214.3 acres, including the land where his wife was buried, from his younger brother Christopher
- 1868
William Huffhines donated a two-acre tract, which included the early graves, to Mount Calvary Baptist Church. A frame church building stood here until 1885, when the congregation moved to Richardson and later became the First Baptist Church.
- 1896
--More land was added to the burial ground by C. C. Huffhines (son of William Huffhines and grandson of Elizabeth Wright Huffhines)
- 1925
--More land was added to the cemetery by Charles Burns Chick (husband of Ophelia 'Ophie' Huffhines - d/o Christopher Columbus 'Chris' Huffhines, gd/o Elizabeth Wright Huffhines
- 1935
--More land was added to the cemetery by Charles Burns Chick
Elizabeth Wright was born
Elizabeth Wright married John Huffhines
1830 -Simpson Co., KY John Hufhines 1 male age 30 - 40 1790-1800 - John 2 males age 5- 10 1820-1825 - William and Chris 1 male under age 5 1825-1830 - George 1 female age 20- 30 1800-1810 - Elizabeth 2 females age 5 - 10 1825-1830 - Fannie and Mary
John Huffhines 1 male age 40 - 50 1790-1800 - John 2 males age 15 - 20 1820-1825 - William and Chris 1 male age 10 - 15 1825-1830 - George 2 males age 5 - 10 1830-1835 - Philemon and John Jr 2 males under age 5 1835-1840 - James and Thomas 1 female age 30 - 40 1800-1810 - Elizabeth 1 female age 10 - 15 1825-1830 - Fannie 1 female age 5 - 10 1830-1835 - Mary
John Hufhines 49 m farmer $900 NC E Hufhines 46 f KY P Hufhines 18 M J Hufhines 16 M James Hufhines 14 M T Hufhines 13 M E Hufhines 9 F M Hufhines 8 F R Hufhines 5 M D Hufhines 2 M
Moved to Dallas Co., Texas with 14 children
Jno HUFFHINES 59 M Farmer 4500 3200 NC Elizabeth 54 F KY Robert 14 M KY Duen 13 M KY Cindrella 11 F KY
Court Settlement in Benton Co., TN for William Wright
Sent to me by John T. Wright
West Tennessee Whig", Jackson, Tennessee
-issue of Jan. 27, 1860, Vol. 18, page 3In the County Court of Benton Co., Tennessee at Camden."
James C. Wright, Administrator of William Wright, deceased, Fanny Wright, and others
vs.
P. W. Wright, John Huffhinds and wife, Elizabeth, P. Lewis and wife, Mary Lewis, and heirs of Lydia Brown, deceased, Mahala Ann Brown and J. E. Brown
Page 500, Feb., 1860
James Wright & others
vs.
P. G. Lewis and others
This day this cause came on P. W. Wright, John Huffmands (*Huffhines) & wife Elizabeth, P. Lewis & wife, Mary Lewis, and heirs of Lydia Brown, deceased, Mahala Brown, and J. E. Brown, are non-residents of the state of Tennessee it also appearing to the Court that publication had been made four successive weeks commanding said non-residents defendants to come & appear in the present Term of Court to plead, answer or (___?__) to said petition all of whom failed to plead, answer or (___?__) to said petition. It is therefore ordered by the Court that (___?__)procompisso (?) be taken as the non-residents and that this cause set for hearing exparten (?) as to them.
Benton County Court Records, March, 1860 Term
sent to me by John T. WrightJames C. Wright, Admr of William Wright Dec'd } * Sold land to W. W. Hudson and G. W. HudsonMahala Dowell formerly Mahala Wright } See Deed Book H, Pg. 561, 12-15-1868
Nancy Hudson formerly Nancy Wright }
J. C. Hudson who purchased Jacob Wright's interest, Matilda Thomas formerly Matilda Wright & her husband, F. C. Thomas & said F. C. Thomas who has purchased A. C. Wright's interest. ( *See deed book F, pg. 772, 1-4-1860) W. W. McCord (?) and Fanny, his wife, formerly Fanny Wright
VS
P. G. (should be P. W.) Wright, John Hufhries (*Huffhines) & Elizabeth, his wife, Mahala Ann Brown, J. E. Brown, hus. of P. Lewis & Mary, his wife, formerly Mary Wright
This day this cause came on for hering upon the Bill report of this Clerk & master pro confesso & proof & it appearing to the Court upon the repot of the C & M which is unexcepted that it would be unnecessary to sell the land for partition & (__?__) to the advantage of the heirs & it is further appearing to the Court from said report of the C & M that James Wright the admr of William Wright has paid thirty eight dollars and 64 cents over & above what came into his ahnds & such adm. which amount is due him with interest thereon. It is therefore ordered, adjudged & decreed by the Court that the Clerk of this Court after giving legal notice sell the same at the Court House door in (__?__)all except the dower interst upon a credit of twelve months the purchaser giving land & security for the purchasing of the remainder after paying so much cash as will be sufficient to pay the amount due James Wright, the administrator.
John Huffhines 70 Elizabeth Huffhines 65 Robert Huffhines 24 Lon Huffhines 21 John Huffhines 2 William Huffhines 1/12
Henry HATCHER 40 MO Cinderella 29 KY Eula L 10 TX E HUFFHINES 75
Memorial and Biographical History of Dallas Co., 1892 by John Henry BrownWILLIAM J. HALSELL came to Texas in 1852 and located in Dallas Co., near the city of Dallas. Two years later he moved to Dallas; and from 1854 to 1858 followed blacksmithing, he being both a blacksmith and a carpenter. He erected several buildings there. In 1859 he married and settled near where Richardson has since sprung up. In 1860 he took charge, of a store at Breckenridge, selling goods for Smith & Murphy of Dallas, and remaining there two years. In 1862 he enlisted in a squadron, Colonel R. M. Gano, and left Texas for Kentucky, with the understanding that they were to act as body guard to General Breckenridge. After arriving in Kentucky, however, they were transferred to Morgan's command, and remained with him up to the time of his capture in eastern. Ohio. Mr. Halsell was first taken to Johnson's Island, soon afterward to the penitentiary at Allegheny city, and eight months later was exchanged. While at Point Lookout he took sick, was sent from there to Washington and then to Fort Delaware, where he remained until the close of the war. He was in many skirmishes, but received only slight wounds. Returning home in August, 1865, he resumed the occupation of farming, improved a new farm, and followed agricultural pursuits until 1881. He then came to Richardson, which at that time contained only a few buildings. He bought a house to live in, and in 1882 began selling goods, he being the second merchant in the town. Richardson is now a thriving town and a good trading place. Mr. Halsell carries a well-assorted stock of general merchandise, and deals in produce.
William J. Halsell was born near Bowling Green, Kentucky, in August, 1830. He was reared on a farm in that State and remained there until coming to Texas, as above stated. His father, William Halsell, was also a native of Kentucky. His mother, nee Miss Mary Garland, was a daughter of Jack Garland. The latter went to Kentucky at an early day; was a school teacher; afterward moved to Missouri, and died there at near the age of 100 years. William J. Halsell was the third born of their eight children. He has one brother living in Texas, who is now serving as County Commissioner.
Mr. Halsell's marriage has already been referred to. The lady he wedded was Miss Martha Huffhines, a member of a distinguished and highly respected family of this State. Her parents, John and Elizabeth Huffhines, natives of Kentucky and of German descent, came to Texas in 1853, and became prominent pioneers here. To Mr. and Mrs. Halsell five children have been born: Mollie B. Halsell, September 15, 1870 Sarah C. Halsell, October 10, 1872 Cindarella Halsell, November 16, 1874 John C. Halsell, December 19, 1877 Elijah H. Halsell, July 17, 1881.
Mr. Halsell has served as Magistrate four years. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and he and his family belong to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.