The evidence appears to prove that the rock vault pictured above marks the grave of Sarah BROOKS, the first wife of Zachariah BROOKS.  This simple stone sarcophagus sits between the headstones of Zachariah's grandson, Thomas J. BROOKS (pictured upper right), and his son, Jesse V. BROOKS (foreground, not shown). 

For as long as anyone now living can remember, no name or dates ever adorned the vault.  The only inscription visible today on the large slab says only "THE 1ST PUT HERE."  Forest CARAWAY, a descendant of one of the area's first Anglo settlers, recalled that a man named "Clistie" PATE crudely chiseled the cryptic phrase in Mr. CARAWAY's presence in the early-to-mid-1940s.  The men were engaged in clearing weeds and debris from the cemetery when Mr. PATE — then about 50 years old — made his mark in Rock Church history.  Mr. CARAWAY said he had no idea how Mr. PATE was able to identify the first grave but suspected that it may have been common knowledge among the "old timers."

An independent quasi-confirmation of Mr. PATE's assertion may be found in a 1971 article written by Sam McDONALD.  It states: "The Rock Church Cemetery was started in 1871, when Jane [sic] BROOKS and her baby were buried there."  Of course, Sarah BROOKS had long passed her child-bearing years when she died on 30 May 1873.  However, extant headstones reveal that Zac WOOD, a newborn son of Robert Melvin WOOD and Mary Ann BAKER, died the day following Sarah's death (31 May 1873).  It appears that this baby was indeed among the first to be buried at Rock Church Cemetery.

NOTE: A personal visit to the cemetery in 1994 found that Sarah Brooks' rock vault had long collapsed under its own weight.  It was reconstructed in 2003 to its original configuration (see photo above), thanks to the generosity of Michael R. Dunagan and others.  

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GENERAL AFFIDAVIT

State of Texas         }
County of Mitchell  }

In the matter of claim of Jane C. Brooks wid. of / Zachariah Brooks  A 9 Ala Vols

Personally came before me, a Notary Public in and for / aforesaid County and State, P.K. Phenix who states as follows: / My age is 77 years, Residence and post office address / Colorado Mitchell County Texas = I P.K. Phenix being / a person of lawful age, who being duly sworn, declare in relation to the aforesaid case as follows:

I know of my own personal knowledge / that Sarah McGill Brooks was the first / wife of Zachariah Brooks and that I saw / the aforesaid Sarah McGill Brooks die and also / attended her funeral and saw her buried / and that he was her attending Physician / and that she died of Erysipelas and further / that the said Sarah McGill Brooks died on / Friday May 30th 1873 at about eleven or / twelve oclock A.M. and was buried Sunday / June 1, 1873.

I further declare that I have no interest in said case, and I am not / concerned with its prosecution.

Signature of Affiant

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GENERAL AFFIDAVIT

State of Texas       }
County of Erath    }

In the matter of claim of Jane C. Brooks wid. of / Zachariah Brooks  A 9 Ala Vols

Personally came before me, a Justice of the Peace & Ex officio attorney Public in and for
aforesaid County and State, Isaac F. Cowan age 71 years residence Erath / County Texas Post office Cowan, Erath County Texas / a person of lawful age, who being duly sworn, declares in relation to the aforesaid case as follows:

That he was personally well acquainted with Zachariah / Brooks deceased and his wife Sarah M. Brooks deceased / and had known them about 11 years at date of / Sarah M. Brooks death.

That he knows said Sarah M. Brooks is dead because / he was at their residence on May 30th 1873 and saw the / said Sarah M. Brooks die on that date at about eleven / or twelve oclock in the day.  That he affiant saw / said Sarah M. Brooks while lain out as a corpse on / that day and on the following two days towit May / 31st 1873 and June 1st 1873 – That he affiant drove / the hearse or wagon with corpse to the cem- / etery at "Rock Church" at or near the present South / West corner of Hood Co. Texas and saw the body / buried.  That said Sarah M. Brooks died at / her house on Paluxy Creek Hood Co. Texas near / the present South West corner of Hood County May 30th / 1873.

He further declares that he has no interest in said case, and is not / concerned in its prosecution.

Signature of Affiant

Pension Office - May 4 1893 (stamp)

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SOURCES:

Forest Caraway of Stephenville, Texas, oral interview, 12 Oct 2003, by Bobby J. Wadsworth at Rock Church Cemetery, Hood County, Texas.

Sam McDonald, "Rock Church (Old and New) and Cemetery," unpublished article, 1971.  Somervell County Heritage Center, vertical files, 100 NE Barnard Street, Glen Rose, Texas 76043.

Indian War Pension No. 1035 issued to Jane C. Brooks (second wife of Zachariah Brooks), "Declaration of Widow for Pension" dated 25 Nov 1892 at Wayland, Texas.  National Archives, Washington, DC.






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This page last updated 20 Nov 2004.