From Proud Heritage, Volume I by DCPA, currently out of print.
William Jefferson Merrifield born about 1793 was one of four sons of Alexander and Rachel Boone Merrifield of Harding County Kentucky. About September, 1835, Dave Crockett, at home in Weakley County decided to honor the “promise to give the Texians a helping hand on the high road to freedom.” At some point, (possibly during the many battles fought together under Andy Jackson against the British in 1812, and the Indians in Alabama) this fiery old fighter Crockett infected John and Jeff Merrifield with “Texas Fever”. William Jefferson Merrifield was at Goliad in Texas with Col. Fannin in March 1836. His brave actions in defense of Texas opened the way for his older brother, John “Jack” Merrifield, and Jack’s nine sons and three daughters who reached maturity to come to Texas to buy fertile black prairie land for one dollar an acre in Peters Colony.
John “Jack” Merrifield born 1792, fought at the battle of the “Cotton Bales” at New Orleans. He served twice during the War of 1812, once for a friend. He returned to Kentucky and married (1) in 1816 Sally Welsh born 1800 in Kentucky. She was the daughter of John and Sarah Welsh. While still in Kentucky, they had Milton, Fieldon, William , John Welsh, Sarah, Samuel, Jefferson, and Rachel born 1832. In August 1833, John’s wife, Sally, and daughter Sarah, age 7, both died in a cholera epidemic.
On 20 April 1834 John “Jack” Merrifield married (2) Miss Mary Elizabeth Foreman, daughter of Thomas and Katherine Foreman. All of their children were born in Kentucky: Thomas Alexander born and died in June 1835; Susan Amanda born July 1836; twins, Joseph Foreman and Katherine Foreman born April 1840; and Benjamin Franklin born February 1843.
John “Jack” Merrifield’s sons by his first wife – Milton, William, Samuel and Jefferson – came to Texas “to spy out the land.” In the history of Cedar Hill, Texas it was reported to be about 1847. The date of John’s first deed was February, 1851. It was for a half section already improved and subject to foreclosure. The northwest corner of the property is at what is now Hampton and Jefferson in Oak Cliff. A triangular plot 54.9 feet along Hampton and running back 229.6 feet east along Jefferson contains the Merrifield Cemetery. The original property contained Sunset High School and ran south on Hampton to Clarendon. He enlarged the two-room log house (already on the property when he bought) to accommodate his large family. He built a third room and lined the walls with cedar panels from lumber brought in from the Texas coast. It had a large fireplace, and there was a good well jmt south of the house. The building in later years rang with the laughter of youth; Boy Scouts used it for their boisterous meetings just a few years before it was condemned and torn down.
One of the early churches established in the area was Rush Chapel. Services were also held in Jimtown School, which was built on the property on Clarendon Road. The post office for Jimtown was in Jim Bumpass’ store at Clarendon and Hampton. It appears in 1881 City Directory.
On the 1860 census the area is referred to as Palace Hill. The cemetery in the north west corner was used this early. The story is told that John and Elizabeth kept a young farm laborer from Tennessee, who had started to California with a wagon-train and became too ill to continue. James Smith, age 25 in 1860, died, and John Merrifield buried him in his family cemetery at Jefferson and Hampton. It is believed he was the first of many to be buried there. Some others buried there were close family members: B. F. Merrifield, son, who was shot in a duel in “French-town” on 22 December 1868; Mary Elizabeth Foreman Merrifield, wife, 16 September 1869; Joseph Foreman Merrifield, son, 16 December 1899; Sally McHenry Merrifield, wife of J. F., 22 April 1880; Sman McHenry Ford, sister of Sally, died 1877; it is unknown exactly how many souls are buried there. In 1985 there is but one marker: for old John “Jack” Merrifield.
A copy of 1873 news clipping: “John Merrifield, Esquire, one of the oldest residents of this county, died very suddenly on Monday, July 21, … Mr. Merrifield was known by all, was a native of Kentucky, and came to this County early in the year 1851. Since which time he has been a resident of Dallas County. He was 81.”
By Gladys Nix Harber, great-granddaughter, Dallas and Dorotha Haswell Thomas, great granddaughter, Cedar Hill
