Auburn, Texas

By Janice Faries
Member of Auburn Cemetery Association

Auburn Community is located in fertile soil approximately sixteen miles southwest of Waxahachie, Texas, and four miles southwest from Maypearl on Farm Road 916, about half-way between Maypearl and Grandview. The cemetery is one mile north of this road. The location is very close to the Ellis-Johnson County line, which accounts for some possible questionable language in early papers. Auburn was a thriving place and as many as two hundred and fifty people located in this area. Mr. Files and another gentleman opened the first business. The first home was erected in 1870. By 1892, there were four church organizations: Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian and Christian, In 1900, Auburn had two grocery stores - one run by H. J. Townsend (groceries and piece goods) and the other store had groceries, piece goods and housed the postoffice. There was also a blacksmith shop and Masonic lodge hall. Charlie Ingle owned one cotton gin and E. R. Reece ran the other, which was owned by J. O. Ingle. H. C. Carnes had another grocery store. There were two corn mills, a very commodious school with good attendance, and post office which served Auburn from 1877 to 1906. Postmasters who served this community were Columbus G. Alford (Aug. 27, 1877)l Henry C. Carnes (Nov. 3, 1879); James W. Wylie (Sept. 8, 1884); Henry J. Townsend (Jan. 14, 1885); Isaac N. Morris (Sept. 21, 1886); Quincey A. Hearne (Jan. 28, 1889); Henry C. Carnes (July 1889); Harvey J. Townsend (July 13, 1890); John B. Ingle (Feb. 12, 1896); Samuel C. Harrel (April 30, 1902); James Rollen (Nov. 28, 1903); Thomas M. Maureka (Dec. 15, 1904). The office closed Oct. 5, 1906 and mail was sent to Maypearl. (Ellis County Library).

There were many fine horses in Ellis County. Eureka, the World's champion "short horse" was owned by Mr. Martin Nation of this community, who bought him after he had been retired from the race track. He was used for racing and breeding purposes at this time. Auburn's race track was located about 1/2 mile south of the remaining store.

The late Mrs. Weaver Aldridge was born at Auburn in 1885. Her father was Mr. Dorris, the blacksmith. Another early pioneer was Samuel R. Hilburn who settled near Auburn in 1852.

Other early settlers of this community were: Dave Copeland, Squire Roberts, Charlie Ingle, H. J. Townsend, Dr. Gebberd, Mr. Shores, J. P. Claunch, G. C. Brindley, Jeff Quinn, Martin Nation, Will Kirby, Jim Perry, Buck Styles, Claude Harrell and W. D. Cornett.

The first known burial in the Auburn Cemetery was Elizabeth N. Shippey, 1846-1856. The Shippeys were early settlers of this area and, although many members of the family are buried here and the family name still exists, there seems to be no one who can give any details. Some of the earlier graves with markers show: S. L. Underwood, 1862-1863; Katie Smith 1859-1870; E. B. Stagner, 1815-1875; Mary Green, 1853-1877; Margaret Bank,.........-1877. Many veterans are buried here and one memorial marker bears the name of Dr. Ted Curby, killed in action in 1945 aboard U.S.S. Daly, and D. D. 519-buried in 7th Marine Division Cemetery #10, Kinawi, Jima (Texas Genealogical Volume, by Mrs. Feltenberger). Many people from other states came to Texas where the ravages of war were less severe. A closely-knit group settled in the Auburn Community, and regardless of their closeness to each other, they did not restrict the usage of the cemetery to anyone. During the yellow fever and influenza epidemics as many as three funerals a day were held there. Ellis County records of 1954 show more than 400 graves. Today's (1977) total is likely more than 500. (Ellis County records).

In 1870, Major Jarvis Banks gave 35 acres of land for a cemetery, school and a Methodist church. The church and cemetery were some distance from the town. The church roll was moved to Maypearl but the cemetery is still well kept and used by the people of this community.

On March 22, 1950, the Methodist Church sold 11.9 acres and deeded to The Auburn Cemetery Association the remainder of the original plot. (The Deed calls for 20.5 acres, less the above 11.9 acres, leaves 8.6 acres for the cemetery). The Association was organized in the early 1930's (Association Records) and has continued as a very dedicated and active group.

Annual business and cemetery working days have been observed throughout the life of the organization. Friends and families bring working equipment and food. Additional labor is secured in order to maintain the attractiveness and the dignity of the cemetery.

The historical marker for the Cemetery was presented on April 11, 1978, with Billy John (B.J.) Stiles as guest speaker. He was deputy chairman for the National Endowment for the Humanities in Washington, D.C. and is the son of Mr. & Mrs. C. F. Stiles. His father is the great-grandson of Major Jarvis Banks, who donated the site for Auburn Cemetery. The marker reads:

"Auburn Cemetery. Pioneer settlers used this site for burials as early as 1856. In 1865 it was part of 20.5 acres deeded to the Methodist Church for a school and church by Rezi Jarvis Banks (1817-1889), a Confederate Army veteran born in Tennessee. Among the earliest marked graves is that of Bank's wife, Minerva (1822-1893). In the late 1800s Auburn was a thriving farming community with four churches, stores and a post office. Later the lack of high school facilities and the bypassing of Auburn by the railroad compelled residents to move away. The cemetery is a link with the town's past."

At the time of our dedication a marker was already up and uncovered for viewing by the crowd. This was given by my grandmother, Mrs. Harvey Brigman, in memory of her husband and was the archway above the cemetery entrance.

This page was last modified: Monday, 10-Sep-2018 10:23:32 MDT