Flat Rock Cemetery
(Cowen Cemetery)

Home
All information follows on this page
Complete alphabetical table of information is at bottom -

    Flat Rock Cemetery is located north of Decatur. From Hwy 380 turn north on Fm Rd 730. In about a half mile turn left onto Old Decatur Road. The cemetery is 5.5 miles on the left side of the road.
  
There’s a Historical Marker on the way to the cemetery about an Indian battle that took place before there were any settlers in Wise County, and also one at the cemetery gate about the cemetery.

Battle of the Knobs
(Northeast)
On November 10, 1837, a company of eighteen Republic of Texas soldiers led by Lt. A.B. Benthuysen engaged in a battle with approximately 150 Indians near this site. Ten Texas soldiers were killed in the battle, and the Indian casualties were estimated at fifty. The Texans killed were Alexander Bostwick, Jesse Blair, James Christian, Joseph Cooper, J. Josslin, A.H. Miles, William Nicholson, Wesley Nicholson, William Sanders, and Lewis F. Sheuster. The geologic feature known as the knobs serves as a memorial to the soldiers who were left on the battlefield.

(1967, 1987)

Flat Rock Cemetery

In locality settled in 1850s by Moses Ball and other pioneers. Tradition says first burial here was an Indian; the second, a small girl who died while her family was migrating through the area. Oldest tombstones are dated 1878. There are may unmarked graves.

Community, named for some flat stones that formed a landmark. Had Cumberland Presbyterian Church as early as 1883. Burial ground near church was deeded from his land grant on Aug 28, 1890, by Ex-Texas Ranger George W. Stevens (1831-93) for cemetery. After 1914, population dwindled and the church was closed.

(1972)

George W. Stevens is buried under a large oak tree near the back of the cemetery. There is a Historical Marker by his grave. More information and a picture of him is on the internet on the Wise County Sheriff Department’s history page http://www.sheriff.co.wise.tx.us/stevens.htm

 

 

Capt. George Stevens
(July 12, 1831 – Apr 11, 1893)

Born in Alabama. Came to Wise County in 1855. Well known as champion of the defenseless. Active in resesting Indian attacks on pioneers. Member and guiding officer in numerous home guard units. Served as sheriff in 1860’s, 1870’s.

Recorded – 1968

    In November of 2001 we took pictures of 119 headstones. There was one double headstone on the left side of the cemetery’s gravel road. It was pictured last and numbered as Row 17. See the map and layout order listing that follows.
    In 1965 Mr. & Mrs. Homer L. Roper and Mr. & Mrs. W. Cletus Johnston did a listing of the cemetery. They found 8 headstones that we did not find in 2001. Those records are listed with brackets [ ] around the number.

Section	Row	#	Last Name	First Name
1	1	1	Walker	Taylor May
1	1	2	Cagle	Melvin Lee
1	2	3	Cagle	Mary E.
1	2	4	Cagle	Robert L.
1	2	5	Cagle	Carden C.
1	3	6	Hardiman	Samuel B.
1	3	7	Hardiman	Mary J.
1	3	8	McClure	Jennie
1	3	9	McClure	R.M.
1	3	10	McClure	Infant
1	3	11	Davenport	C.C.
1	4	12	Ashton	Martha Harriet
1	4	13	Ashton	Francis Marion
1	4	14	Moses	George F.
1	4	15	Moses	Richard R.
1	4	16	Grozier	Olen R.
1	4	17	Grozier	Robert R., Jr.
1	4	18	Ray	J.C.
1	4	19	Ray	Georgie A.
1	5	20	Waller	Don Gero?ed
1	5	21	Smith	Harold
1	5	22	Smith	Lula Fay
1	5	23	Smith	Loyd W., Corp.
1	5	24	Smith	Hiram W.
1	5	25	Smith	Manila Jane
1	5	26	Davis	Ollie
1	5	27	Davis	Albert H.
1	5	28	Bickham	Hugh
1	6	29	Blackburn	Thurman
1	6	30	Blackburn	Father
1	6	31	Blackburn	Mother
1	6	32	Rieger	Annie P.
1	6	33	Reiger	Jewel
1	6	34	Rieger	Laura B.
1	6	35	Rieger	R.A.
1	7	36	Lawrence	B.F.
1	7	37	Lawrence	Wife
1	7	38	Hobdy	Jettie Earl
1	7	39	Ball	M.P. (Moses P.)
1	7	40	Ball	Levina
1	7	41	Brown	Tissie
1	7	42	Brown	Joseph C.
1	7	43	Brown	Lucille "Lou"
1	7	44	Brown	John E. "Johnie"
1	7	45	Brown	Joseph Clyde
1	8	46	Hobdy	Venus Ordle
1	8	47	Austin	Ruth Mandy
1	8	48	Hobdy	John Robert
1	8	49	Hobdy	Sinda Rilla
1	8	50	Perkins	George W.
1	8	51	Perkins	L.J.
1	9	52	Whetsell	Dewey Elmer
1	9	53	Copp	Sabena
1	9	54	Copp	Jacob
1	9	55	Reaves	Martha
1	10	56	Ray	Marrie E.
1	10	57	Gose	Mart
1	10	58	Blewett	Katie
1	10	59	Goodwin	Oscar L.
1	10	60	Baits	P. Hollis
1	10	61	Baits	Ruth Ray
1	10	62	Ray	Y.G.
1	10	63	Ray	Mary E.
1	10	64	Ray	Julia V.
1	10	65	Ray	W. Edd
1	10	66	Ray	Joe
1	11	67	Gose	W.R.
1	11	68	Gose	R.H.
1	11	69	Blewett	Mary E.
1	11	70	Williams	Sallie L.
1	11	71	Huddleston	Sarah Alice
1	11	72	King	Arthur
1	12	73	Isenberg	Alma
1	12	74	Jackson	J.W., Rev.
1	12	75	King	Infant
1	12	76	King	John W.
1	12	77	King	G.W.
1	12	78	Emerson	Stella A.
1	12	79	Emerson	Thomas B.
1	12	80	Emerson	Ronald Lee
1	12	81	Emerson	Cleta Joyce
1	12	82	Emerson	Kenneth Durwood
1	12	83	Emerson	Dom Pedro
1	12	84	Emerson	Lena Royal
1	13	85	Copp	Cordelia
1	13	86	Jackson	T.J.
1	13	87	Rieger	Infant
1	13	88		Elixabeth
1	13	89	Manning	Sarah Pane (Jane)
1	14	90	Hanner	Harriet E. Pearl
1	14	91	Hanner	J.W.
1	14	92	Hanner	J.W., Mrs.
1	14	93	Shreve	Mahala I.
1	14	94	Shreve	Thomas Joshua
1	14	95	Shreve	Benj. F.(Benjamin Franklin), Sr.
1	14	96	Stevens	James B.
1	14	97	Whitley	C.L.
1	14	98	Whitley	Needom A.
1	14	99	Whitley	Vicy L.
1	15	100	Elsom	Fred
1	15	101	Elsom	Eliza
1	15	102	Elsom	Mary Elizabeth
1	15	103	Elsom	Daniel Porter
1	15	104	Gorbet	Jesten
1	15	105	Elsom	Infant
1	15	106	Elsom	Vena
1	15	107	Elsom	Infant
1	15	108	Spencer	Will
1	15	109	Spencer	Alex
1	15	110	Spencer	A. Johnson
1	15	111	Spencer	Susan B.
1	15	112	Bunch	Sarah A. Spencer
1	15	113	Spencer	T.S.
1	15	114	Bowman	Gladys
1	15	115	Stevens	Tune L.
1	15	116	Stevens	G.W., Capt.
1	16	117		Sarah
1	17	118	Massey	Thomas A.
1	17	119	Massey	Hazel Lee A.
	x	[120]	Ashton	Roy F.
	x	[121]	Davis	Mary E.
	x	[122]	Moses	Mary E., Mrs.
	x	[123]	Robinson	Emma I.
	x	[124]	Robinson	John Z.
	x	[125]	Sermons	Johny E.
	x	[126]	Sermons	Nancy
	x	[127]	Ward	Clark M.

Complete Information Alphabetical Table
(Loads in sections and may take a minute)

#

Last Name

First Name

Born

Date of Death

Information Notes

13

Ashton

Francis Marion

1851

1909

Headstone with Martha Harriet

12

Ashton

Martha Harriet

1859

1943

Wife of Francis Marion

[120]

Ashton

Roy F.

May 3, 1884

Aug 9, 1901

Son of F.M. & M.H.

47

Austin

Ruth Mandy

Apr 5, 1897

Apr 10, 1902

Daughter of T.N & Nannie

60

Baits

P. Hollis

Jan 22, 1908

Apr 29, 1926

Son - Headstone with Ruth Ray

61

Baits

Ruth Ray

Sept 6, 1884

Dec 1, 1908

Mother - Headstone with P. Hollis

40

Ball

Levina

1818

July 20, 1902

 

39

Ball

M.P. (Moses P.)

June 23, 1816

Nov 21, 1897

 

28

Bickham

Hugh

Mar 8, 1826

Oct 26, 1901

 

30

Blackburn

Father

no dates

 

 

31

Blackburn

Mother

no dates

 

 

29

Blackburn

Thurman

no dates

 

 

58

Blewett

Katie

Feb 28, 1875

May 4, 1897

 

69

Blewett

Mary E.

Dec 6, 1833

Sept 28, 1913

 

114

Bowman

Gladys

Jan 17, 1924

Jan 23, 1925

Daughter of Mr. & Mrs. G.B.

44

Brown

John E. "Johnie"

Sept 7, 1902

Aug 11, 1990

Headstone with Lucille "Lou" - PFC US Army WWII

42

Brown

Joseph C.

 

Apr 10, 1939

Headstone with Tissie

45

Brown

Joseph Clyde

Jan 11, 1896

Dec 26, 1917

 

43

Brown

Lucille "Lou"

July 14, 1920

June 11, 1984

Headstone with John E.

41

Brown

Tissie

1865

May 19, 1913

Headstone with Joseph C.

112

Bunch

Sarah A. Spencer

Mar 16, 1893

Dec 3, 1975

 

#

Last Name

First Name

Born

Date of Death

Information Notes

5

Cagle

Carden C.

June 8, 1917

Nov 25, 1980

 

3

Cagle

Mary E.

July 1, 1889

Feb 3, 1965

Headstone with Robert L.

2

Cagle

Melvin Lee

July 6, 1915

Apr 2, 1998

PVT US Army WWII

4

Cagle

Robert L.

May 9, 1880

Feb 9, 1920

Headstone with Mary E.

85

Copp

Cordelia

Aug 24, 1891

Sept 6, 1891

 

54

Copp

Jacob

1827

Jan 6, 1892

 

53

Copp

Sabena

May 13, 1838

Jan 29, 1896

 

11

Davenport

C.C.

1888

1929

 

27

Davis

Albert H.

Oct 24, 1885

Nov 1, 1965

Headstone with Ollie

[121]

Davis

Mary E.

 

Apr 6, 1935

Aged 57 yrs

26

Davis

Ollie

July 26, 1887

May 10, 1925

Headstone with Albert H.

103

Elsom

Daniel Porter

Aug 20, 1876

Nov 26, 1903

Headstone with Mary Elizabeth

101

Elsom

Eliza

1855

1946

Wife of Fred

100

Elsom

Fred

1852

1929

Headstone with Eliza

105

Elsom

Infant

Sept 18, 1892

Sept 18, 1892

Child of F. & E.

107

Elsom

Infant

Nov 6, 1878

Nov 6, 1878

Child of F. & E.

102

Elsom

Mary Elizabeth

Nov 18, 1878

Apr 6, 1935

Headstone with Daniel Porter

106

Elsom

Vena

May 25, 1880

May 17, 1881

Daughter of F. & E.

81

Emerson

Cleta Joyce

Oct 30, 1930

 

Headstone with Kenneth Durwood

83

Emerson

Dom Pedro

Feb 28, 1876

Jan 9, 1968

Headstone with Lena Royal

82

Emerson

Kenneth Durwood

Feb 24, 1931

 

Headstone with Cleta Joyce

84

Emerson

Lena Royal

Sept 12, 1890

June 21, 1937

Headstone with Dom Pedro

80

Emerson

Ronald Lee

Aug 24, 1949

June 21, 1997

 

78

Emerson

Stella A.

June 5, 1880

May 2, 1914

Wife of D.P.

79

Emerson

Thomas B.

Dec 3, 1843

Mar 11, 1912

Grand Army of the Republic Veteran 1861-1866

59

Goodwin

Oscar L.

Oct 1, 1896

Oct 5, 1899

 

104

Gorbet

Jesten

Aug 22, 1822

Mar 21, 1896

 

57

Gose

Mart

Dec 3, 1885

Nov 27, 1905

Son of W.R. & Mary

68

Gose

R.H.

Oct 10, 1893

July 8, 1920

 

67

Gose

W.R.

Aug 3, 1851

July 1, 1912

 

16

Grozier

Olen R.

Apr 20, 1918

Dec 18, 1918

 

17

Grozier

Robert R., Jr.

Jan 12, 1925

Jan 20, 1925

 

90

Hanner

Harriet E. Pearl

Nov 10, 1886

Oct 5, 1887

Daughter of J.W. & P.T.E.

91

Hanner

J.W.

Dec 19, 1848

Oct 23, 1931

 

92

Hanner

J.W., Mrs.

Aug 26, 1866

Mar 31, 1945

 

7

Hardiman

Mary J.

Jan 5, 1868

Jan 3, 1950

Headstone with Samuel B.

6

Hardiman

Samuel B.

Oct 23, 1861

Oct 16, 1946

Headstone with Mary J.

38

Hobdy

Jettie Earl

Oct 3, 1894

Dec 4, 1909

 

48

Hobdy

John Robert

1855

1905

Headstone with Sinda Rilla

49

Hobdy

Sinda Rilla

1849

1932

Wife of John Robert

46

Hobdy

Venus Ordle

Sept 4, 1892

Nov 5, 1892

Daughter of J.R. & S.R.

71

Huddleston

Sarah Alice

Oct 4, 1867

Jan 12, 1891

Wife of D.M. - Daughter of Thomas & Catherine Harvey

73

Isenberg

Alma

May 29, 1919

Sept 22, 1923

 

74

Jackson

J.W., Rev.

Sept 16, 1842

Dec 27, 1891

 

86

Jackson

T.J.

Dec 18, 1840

June 28, 1894

 

72

King

Arthur

Jan 25, 1885

Nov 4, 1909

 

77

King

G.W.

Nov 22, 1853

July 9, 1910

 

75

King

Infant

Mar 10, 1908

Mar 10, 1908

Child of Arthur & Mollie

76

King

John W.

Dec 15, 1876

Feb 22, 1885

Son of G.W. & M.E.

36

Lawrence

B.F.

Aug 17, 1850

Jan 8, 1925

 

37

Lawrence

Wife

no dates

 

 

#

Last Name

First Name

Born

Date of Death

Information Notes

89

Manning

Sarah Pane (Jane)

Apr 7, 1822

June 20, 1878

Wife of J.R.

119

Massey

Hazel Lee A.

Feb 5, 1934

Nov 2, 1995

Wife of Thomas A.

118

Massey

Thomas A.

May 13, 1935

 

Headstone with Hazel A.

10

McClure

Infant

Feb 5, 1918

 

Daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Tallie

8

McClure

Jennie

Oct 16, 1872

Jan 5, 1908

Wife of R.C.

9

McClure

R.M.

Feb 14, 1833

Apr 10, 1910

 

14

Moses

George F.

Feb 14, 1889

Dec 20, 1923

TX PVT 1 CL 154 INF 39 DIV

[122]

Moses

Mary E., Mrs.

May 7, 1857

Mar 22, 1937

 

15

Moses

Richard R.

Nov 28, 1897

July 4, 1977

SSGT US Army WWII

50

Perkins

George W.

Jan 29, 1849

Dec 2, 1901

 

51

Perkins

L.J.

Jan 28, 1852

Oct 28, 1897

Wife of G.W.

19

Ray

Georgie A.

1860

1943

 

18

Ray

J.C.

June 18, 1864

Nov 21, 1918

 

66

Ray

Joe

Jan 28, 1900

Jan 7, 1974

 

64

Ray

Julia V.

Feb 22, 1861

Feb 5, 1952

Headstone with W. Edd

56

Ray

Marrie E.

June 18, 1884

July 4, 1884

Daughter of S.L. & L.A.

63

Ray

Mary E.

Nov 21, 1826

Nov 30, 1910

 

65

Ray

W. Edd

July 17, 1859

Apr 3, 1939

Headstone with Julia V.

62

Ray

Y.G.

May 8, 1824

Feb 26, 1905

 

55

Reaves

Martha

1823

Jan 4, 1892

 

33

Reiger

Jewel

Dec 11, 1896

Apr 11, 1907

Daughter of R.A. & L.B.

32

Rieger

Annie P.

Sept 24, 1843

Sept 12, 1906

Wife of R.T.

87

Rieger

Infant

1895

1895

Daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Dick

34

Rieger

Laura B.

1875

(Dec 24) 1956

 

35

Rieger

R.A.

Jan 24, 1873

Dec 15, 1929