 Elmont, Texas Van Alstyne Public Library  FREE LAND DREW SETTLERS TO CROSS ROADS
David Elliott was a Baptist circuit rider instrumental in organizing the
Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church. Elliott's daughter Betty married Joe
Burke, and they lived close by on land given to her by her father.
The Burkes donated part of the land for the Pilgrim's Rest Church and for
a school, known as Burke School #91. Mrs. Judd's account recalls many good and happy times at the Burke School. Money for supplies was raised by holding box suppers. A magic lantern show especially impressed the crowd, with images flashing in a darkened room. Many young couples paid little attention to the magic lantern and, instead, found privacy in dimly lit corners. * * * This thumbnail sketch of an area, a community and a way of life is necessarily brief, touching only on the highlights of 15 decades. Many people and events who contributed to the local history have not bee included, due to time and space limitations. I've made every effort to check the accuracy of my information, but some of the sources could not be corroborated. Corrections and added information are always welcome. Special thanks go to Ruth Neill, Mildred Kalmbach and Cecil Mayes. Ruth-Lee Cason shared not only memories but family documents and books. Rev. Jim Poole, pastor of Elmont Baptist Church, offered several photographs; and Dr. Morris L. Britton offered much insight on early Grayson County roads. Additional information on Elmont Baptist Church and Rev. T. B. McComb was published in the Van Alstyne Leader's Progress Edition, March 18, 1993; and the Grayson County clerk's office has deed records dating back to the beginning of the county. Other sources include: * "The Peters Colony of Texas," by Seymour V.
Connor, Texas State
Historical Association, 1959;
These books and others, along with files on families and places of Van Alstyne are available in the Van Alstyne Public Library.  BURKE SCHOOL HISTORY Schools Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson CountyTXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |