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Black Tom "T.H." Sears - Watson House   at the end of East Grand Awarded a Texas Historical Marker, August 1964 At
the time that the Sears family migrated to what would become Grayson
County, Texas, there were only three settlements in the area - one near
Warren, Coffe's Trading Post and Pilot Grove community.
Christopher Sears lived in the Pilot Grove community. He
came from Alabama after the death of his wife, along with his six sons
and six daughters. Being a Cumberland Presbyterian, he missed his
church and wishing to have worship service, he called together his
neighbors of like faith on (Holloway, Edith Mae. History of the Presbyterian Church of Whitewright, Texas)
The Whitewright Sun August 2, 1964 SEARS HOME TO BE HONORED SUNDAY On a slight rise, just east of Whitewright city limits, stands the "Black Tom" Sears home. Thomas H. Sears, son of pioneer Christopher C. Sears, built his home in 1909 on a portion of his father's original land grant outside of Whitewright. Thomas was a settler in in the southwest corner of Fannin County and reared a family of two daughters (Ona and Gladys) and three sons (Claude, Byron and Robert). The youngest son, Robert, is the present-day owner of the two-story Colonial style house painted white from roof to ground steps. The Sears home has been a show place for tourists since its construction in 1909. As early as 1914 Thomas H. Sears came to Bonham seeking an all weather road by his house, the Bonham News reported. Sears said he was willing to put up the money if there were no county funds available. The interior of the Sears home has two staircases, one in the front entrance and the other in the back hall, both of which lead to upstairs bedrooms. Nine fireplaces have carved mantles, and antique mirrors reflect the beauty of the family heirlooms. A large dining table is a reminder of the many family dinners held here with distinguished visitors from Grayson College. The sturdy construction, sound lumber, and excellent workmanship of the 1909 home appear the same today as it was 55 years ago when first built. The Whitewright Sun June 25, 1970 SHOWPLACE OF WHITEWRIGHT The T.H. Sears home, says the Texas Historical Society, is the "show place" of Whitewright. This old home is another landmark in Whitewright. Since the early 1900s the Sears Home has been a favorite stopping place for Whitewright citizens. Mrs. Litta May Sears, who now resides in the home, commented that in the early days "everyone for miles around wanted to come and see the big white house on the hill." Built in 1910 by T.H. Sears, son of Joseph Sears, an early pioneer and Whitewright settler, the home is situated on part of the original land grant. The Colonial Home has 13 rooms and 2 baths and every room in the house except one has a fireplace. As few changes as possible have been made in the home since its construction 60 years ago. Some of the original furnishings include an antique dresser and an antique table. Because of its preservation and significance to the Whitewright community, the Sears home was recorded as a Texas Historic Landmark in 1967 by The Texas Historical Survey Committee and Texas Historical Foundation. Until the death of Homer Head Sears on August 25, 1978, four generations of the Christopher Sears' family were active members of the First Presbyterian Church of Whitewright. These included: Homer Head Sears Edith Mae Sears Holloway, daughter of Homer Head Sears James Michael Holloway, John Sears Holloway, Gary Lee Holloway, Susan Holloway Condron, children of Edith Mae Sears Holloway Great-Grandchildren of Home Head Sears - Margaret Ann Holloway, Jason Holloway; Ewell Durwood Condron IV, Lee Holloway Condron; Jessica Chrystene Holloway. (Holloway, Edith Mae. History of the Presbyterian Church of Whitewright, Texas)  Whitewright History Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson County TXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |