Items · Blowout: A Community’s Engagement with Fracking

Newspaper clipping from the Post-Mirror in Pilot Point, Texas. It contains an article discussing the purchase of the Cotton Belt Railroad by Jay Gould and the impact that it would have on freight rates and as a result Texas farmers.

Post-Mirror September 22, 1888 Page 4

Newspaper clipping from the Post-Mirror in Pilot Point, Texas. It contains an article discussing the farmers’ alliance in the area and the editor’s stance on the issue. Additionally, it contains an articles on the growth of cotton in the area.

Post-Mirror September 22, 1888 Page 1

Newspaper page from the Post-Mirror in Pilot Point, Texas. It contains an article titled “Denton County, Pilot Point and Vicinity” that discusses the various advantages of living in Pilot Point. It covers various topics such as water, soil, crops, orchards, and livestock.

Martha Billingslea Certificate of Death (1919)

Martha Billingslea's death certificate

Angeline Williamson Headstone

Headstone of Angeline Williamson in St. John Cemetery

Long Buried

A long piece written in March 2016 in the Denton Record-Chronicle. Written prior to Denton County’s funding for the renovation of the cemetery, it documents the experiences and efforts of volunteers, Willie Hudspeth, and Dr. John White to remember those interred.

Denton County Plans to Restore a Slave Cemetery

This 2016 Sherman Fox affiliate article briefly documents the efforts undertaken by Willie Hudspeth and the Denton County Commissioners court to restore the St. John's Cemetery.

Denton County to Restore Old Slave Cemetery

NBC 5 in the DFW area created a short video documenting Willie Hudspeth's efforts to clean the cemetery, as well as showing some of the headstones and unmarked graves within.

Long-hidden cemetery held Pilot Point man’s ancestors

This September 2016 Denton Record-Chronicle article contains details of Willie Hudspeth's labor to revitalize the cemetery, and mentions Dr. John White, a pastor native to Pilot Point, who has ancestors buried within the St. John's Cemetery, as well as provides several pictures of the county restoration efforts.

Rev. W.P. Huntley funeral, Pilot Point, TX (1922)

Members of the Denton and Pilot Point African American communities flock to attend Rev. W.P. Huntley's funeral. Huntley was a "pioneer minister of the CME church." Denton and Pilot Point churches often participated in the same church activities, including mourning for their deceased church members.

Texas Towns: Pilot Point

Rev. J.S.M Alexander has rally day at his church. Raises $56 for education.

CME Church Service, Pilot Point, TX (1920)

Rev. Alexander preached at the CME church in Pilot Point, while Rev. Varner filled his appointment at Lewisville. Rural preachers often conducted services at more than one church.

BYPU Meeting, Dallas, TX (1920)

St. John's Baptist Church, among other African American churches across North Texas attend an annual BYPU meeting in 1920, in Dallas, TX.

City and Vicinity: C.C. Trimble and students, Pilot Point, TX (1896)

C.C. Trimble, and African American pastor and teacher of Pilot Point is commended for his teaching skills by the Post-Mirror newspaper

Nelson Box Land Grant

This is the original land grant given to Nelson Box filed in 1857 for 320 acres which was sold to Francis R. Davis in late 1857.

1858 Denton County Tax Assessment

Denton County Tax Assessment from 1858 depicts Francis R. Davis who owns three slaves: Harriet, Gilbert, and the woman who birthed Gilbert.

1857 Denton County Tax Assessment

Denton County Tax Assessment of 1857 depicting Francis R. Davis who owns 160 acres of the plat originally granted to J. Blag and 320 acres of the plat originally granted to William Crawford near Sanger, TX.

Freedmen's Communities Map

A detailed map of Freedmen Communities in Texas based upon primary and secondary research.