PARK(S) SPRING(S) BAPTIST CHURCH AND CEMETERY

In years gone by, entities such as churches and cemeteries were often segregated along racial lines. The Manor area was no different. Some church congregations were composed of white folks, while others were strictly black (usually referred to as “colored”) people. Cemeteries were often connected to churches and were similarly separated. There were several cemeteries and churches around Manor that were established to be populated exclusively by those of the black race. Examples of those still in existence today are the Park Spring Baptist Church and it’s adjoining Parks Springs Cemetery.

On September 12, 1887 Addison Earldom Lane sold one acre of land, about five miles southeast of Manor, to Joe Cunningham, representative of Parks Spring Baptist Church, for $25. The deed stated the property was to be used “for church purposes”. Mr. Lane reserved the rights to all timber on the land for himself. 

    TRAVIS COUNTY DEED RECORD 105, PAGE 107

It is unknown how soon thereafter the congregation constructed a church building on the property, but Travis County Mechanics Lien records show that on January 1, 1898, Charles W. Hodge, Peter De Witty and James Cunningham, trustees representing Park(s) Spring Baptist Church purchased $400 worth of lumber from Manor Lumber Company to be used for “improvements” on the church property. 

TRAVIS COUNTY DEED RECORD 123, MECHANICS LIEN,  PAGE 607

The church trustees signed a note in the amount of $400 to be paid to Manor Lumber Company on October 1, 1898, plus 10 percent interest. If a lawyer had to be hired to collect payment, then an additional 10 percent  would be due. 

RECEIPT AND NOTE FOR BUILDING MATERIALS SIGNED BY CHURCH TRUSTEES

On October 10, 1893 Claus and Johannah Anderson sold 25 acres of land adjoining the church property on the east side to Alonzo Johnson, John Wadkins and Alfred Rainey, representing the Park Spring Cemetery Association. The purchase price was $250, of which a $150 payment was made at the time of the purchase with a one-year note at 10% per annum interest still to be paid. 

TRAVIS COUNTY DEED RECORD 118, PAGE 402

Travis County collected property taxes on the entire 25 acres until 1920 when they recognized that a fenced 5-acre part of the property on the southern end was being used exclusively for burial purposes; only 20 acres was taxed thereafter. 

Travis County road surveys conducted from 1898 to 1902 show the church and cemetery located on what was then Galaway Road. This road was later renamed, with the northern part becoming Parsons Road and the southern end named Lockwood Road. At some time, Lockwood Road was rerouted so that it cut diagonally across the cemetery property. The original road still exists as Old Lockwood Road on the south and east sides of the church and cemetery property.

1898-1902 TRAVIS COUNTY ROAD SURVEY MAP SHOWING CHURCH AND CEMETERY

1940 AERIAL PHOTO - RED IS 1 ACRE PURCHASED FOR CHURCH - BLUE IS 25 ACRES PURCHASED BY CEMETERY TRUSTEES - GREEN IS AREA SET ASIDE FOR CEMETERY

CURRENT GOOGLE MAP SHOWING AREA USED AS CEMETERY

Over  a period of many years, the cemetery has become extremely overgrown with trees, brush and weeds. Much trash and other debris has been dumped on the cemetery grounds. Many headstones are in poor condition, disrepair and broken. Many graves appear to be unmarked or they are unidentifiable due to missing or unreadable information. Efforts are currently underway to clear and restore the cemetery to what it needs to be. 

As of July 2025, Find A Grave.com shows 696 burials in the cemetery. 

Parks Springs Cemetery Facebook page gives more information about the cleanup efforts.

https://www.facebook.com/Parks-Springs-Cemetery-539752763477746

THE EPPRIGHTS - GEORGE JACOB AND NANNIE HARRIS

George Jacob was the fifth child of David and Mary Ann Eppright. He was born March 2, 1854; eight years after they had moved to Texas. Usually known as G. J. or "Jake", he  would have as much, arguably more, influence on the development of Manor as all of the other Epprights. 

George and Ann Reid "Nannie" Harris were married November 18, 1880 in Travis County. She was born in Louisa County, Virginia. 

TRAVIS COUNTY MARRIAGE RECORD BOOK 5, PAGE 319

Between the years of 1881 and 1905, fourteen children would be born to them. 

Frederic Gillespie (1881-1922    

Athlyn E. (1882-1962)
Cecil Dennis (1884-1957)
Charles Chaplin (1885-1974)
Jane Mary (1887-1981)
John Thomas (1888-1981
Clodius Harris (1890-1969)
Lucy (1892-1971)
Katherine Elizabeth (1894-1945)
George David (1896-1910)

Edward Everett (1898-1989)
Ben Russell (1900-1989)
George J. (1903-1998)
Nannie Belle (1905-1986)

G. J. is shown in school records as a Freshman at Roanoke College, Salem, Virginia in 1875. Newspaper accounts relate that in June, 1877 George was awarded medals for his outstanding abilities in the area of mathematics. 

ROANOKE DISPATCH - JUNE 16, 1877

Subsequent records list him as an alumni, having graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1878. He is also described as a "breeder and importer of livestock from Manor, Texas."

ROANOKE COLLEGE BULLETIN

On November 30, 1876 David and Mary Ann Eppright signed deeds giving portions of their land to their five surviving adult children. Each one received acreage valued at $4000. 

At this time, 22 year old Jake received 465 acres of land, mostly in the Gilleland Creek area, a short distance west of Manor. The deed for land given to each individual stated "...for and in consideration of the natural love and affection which we cherish for..."

The deed for Jake's land stated, "This land is conveyed to the said George J Eppright as an advancement to him out of our community estate and which we estimate as being now worth $4000."

TRAVIS COUNTY DEED RECORD 36, PAGE 462

Later, on July 1, 1886 Jake purchased an additional 441 3/4  acres from David for a payment of $4000. On January 1, 1891 Jake paid David $630 for 18 3/4 more acres, giving him a total of 926 acres. 

Although he had many acres to choose from, in a few years Jake would build his house on what was said to be the highest elevation on his land, known locally as Eppright Hill.

Travis County deed records show G. J. Eppright as one of three trustees for Manor Baptist Church in 1890.

TRAVIS COUNTY DEED RECORD 99, PAGE 101

In 1894 Jake purchased an well drilling rig and began to drill for water atop Eppright Hill. 

AUSTIN DAILY STATESMAN, FEBRUARY 5, 1894

When he succeeded in this endeavor, in 1895 the town of Manor formed an artesian well company, raised funds and then hired him to drill the first well in Manor. 

AUSTIN WEEKLY STATESMAN, JANUARY 30, 1896

In  1897 Jake was advertising as an "Artesian Well Contractor" in newspapers.

HOUSTON DAILY POST, JUNE 1, 1897

 That same year Jake began construction on a two-story house on the top of Eppright Hill.

AUSTIN WEEKLY STATESMAN, APRIL 8, 1897

HOUSE ON EPPRIGHT HILL (photo provided by Jim Leigh)

The Eppright house with Ben Eppright in the front yard (photo provided by Ann Milam)

Records of the American Shorthorn Breeders Association  list his many accomplishments in the breeding of cattle in the 1890's and early 1900's. 

AMREICAN SHORTHORN BREEDERS ASSOCIATION - 1896

He is also shown to be a breeder of hogs in records of The American Berkshire Association.

AMERICAN BERKSHIRE ASSOCIATION 1906

   The American Kennel Club also records him as a dog breeder. 

AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB - 1913

Travis County Deed Record F, page 370 records the sale of "5 1/4 acres more or less" by Jake Eppright  to Travis County for $510 on March 5, 1898. This acreage was a continuous strip 40 feet wide running from the northwest corner to the southwest corner of the 640 acre James Manor headright survey. This strip of land was to be used for a road going south from Manor. It would become known as Blue Bluff Road. 

1940 AERIAL PHOTO SHOWING BLUE BLUFF RD 

On July 13, 1906 the Travis County Commissioners Court considered a petition that read as follows;

“G J EPPRIGHT - Petition to lay water pipe

And now on this day came on to be heard the petition of G.J. Eppright asking permission to lay water pipes or mains in the public road from the town of Manor to his place about one mile S.W. of Manor, and the same having been considered by the Court, it is ordered that said petition be and is hereby granted, provided that said pipe be laid sufficiently underground and in such manner as not to obstruct or damage or in any manner injure the said public road, the Court reserving the right to have the same removed for cause to be considered and judged by the entire Court, and that thirty days notice be given said Eppright of the Court’s order to have the same removed.”

Whether or not this pipe was ever laid is still undetermined at this time

TRAVIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT MINUTES J, PAGE 592

George Jacob (Jake) Eppright died August 10, 1910 at the age of 56. The Austin American Statesman said, "In his death Manor has been deprived of a good and useful citizen, whose work in the school, the church, and all things pertaining to the good of the town will be greatly missed."

Nannie Harris Eppright died May 14, 1939 at the age of 78. Her death certificate lists coronary thrombosis (probably a heart attack) and hypertension (high blood pressure) as the cause. 

Both Jake and Nannie are buried in the Eppright section of the city of Manor  Cemetery. 

THE EPPRIGHTS - DAVID AND MARY ANN

David Eppright was born in Maryland, July 17, 1817. As he was growing up, his family is said to have moved to Tennesse, then to Indiana, ending up in Missouri. At the age of 24 he married Mary Ann Smelser, also from Missouri. Information shows him working as a wheelwright which he continued to do after they moved to Texas in 1846.

David and Mary Ann had eight children born to them:

Katherine “Katie” Elizabeth (1846-1894)
Mary Jane “Jennie” (1848-1936)
Martha Ann (1850-1909)
John Thompson (1852-1854)
George Jacob (1854-1910)
Exer Clementine (1856-1865)
Alice Lourinda (1858-1934)
Eugeneie Susanna (1860-1862)

1880 census figures show David as the owner of 2,030 acres of land in Travis County. His land and buildings were valued at $5000 and farming machinery listed for $2500. He also owned livestock valued at $350. 

Much of the land owned by David was located in the Blue Bluff Road / Gilleland Creek area but he also owned more land east of there. His homestead was  a short distance west of Blue Bluff Road. 

EPPRIGHT LAND ON BLUE BLUFF ROAD AND GILLELAND CREEK ROAD

Politically, he was a Prohibitionist; socially, he was a member of the Masonic order. Religiously, both David and Mary Ann were charter members of the newly-formed Bethlehem Baptist Church in 1857 and they continued as members as it developed into Manor Baptist Church. By 1899, David and Mary Ann were the only remaining charter members of the church. 

AUSTIN WEEKLY STATESMAN FEBRUARY 15, 1877

AUSTIN DAILY STATESMAN JULY 23, 1899

In a book titled PIONEERING IN THE SOUTHWEST by A.J. Holt (1923) the author tells of his experience with Deacon David Eppright at the Bethlehem Church in Manor. 

On his 80th birthday in 1897, The Austin Weekly Statesman described him as one of the most philanthropic citizens of the community for many years. 

David Eppright died July 20, 1900 at the age of 83. Newspaper obituaries described him as "a highly respected and true Christian gentleman..." and "one of our most prominent and influential citizens".

Austin Daily Statesman July 21, 1900

THE HOUSTON DAILY POST JULY 22, 1900

An inscription on David's headstone says, 

"To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die"

Mary Ann died February 2, 1908. Although it is extremely worn and difficult to read, the engraving on her headstone appears to be;

"Aged 84 Y s, 9 M s, 14 D s". 

"She died in sure and certain hope of eternal life through the atonement of a crucified Saviour"

David and Mary Ann are buried in the city of Manor Cemetery.

THE EPPRIGHTS - ISAAC AND MARTHA

Various members of the Eppright families are associated with the history and development of Manor. Among the first to arrive in the area were brothers Isaac and David Eppright, sons of Jacob (1783-1851) and Catherine Eppright (1786-1866). Jacob and Catherine lived first in Maryland, then in Tennessee and finally in Missouri. 

ISAAC AND MARTHA EPPRIGHT

Isaac (1822-1909) born in Tennessee played a lesser role but was involved for a short time in the growth of Manor. He married Martha J. Chamberlain in 1843. They moved to Texas about 1850 where, for $100, he purchased 100 acres of land from Peter Kerr on July 1, 1850, out of the Oliver Buckman league, a few miles southeast of present day Manor. 

Travis County Deed Record D, page 279

Children of Isaac and Martha Eppright were;

Mary Katherine (1846-1930)

R. J. Eppright  (1846-?)

Margaret Ann (1850-1938)

Emma J. (1853-1956)

Nancy J. (1855-1856)

Reuben Thompson (1857-1928)

N. F. "Fannie" (1861-1892)

Adelia S. (1863-?)

Isaac W. (1866-1950)

In 1854 the State Legislature passed an act requiring all counties to establish school districts. Travis County was divided into 19 Common School Districts - Isaac Eppright's land was included in District Number 6. The Travis County Commissioner's Court would regularly appoint residents of each district as Patrollers (a local militia/police/law enforcement, etc. group) for each school district. On August 22, 1854 Isaac Eppright was one of the Patrollers appointed for a period of three months in District 6, with Sylvester Lockwood as Captain of the group. 

TRAVIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT MINUTES B, PAGE 79

In 1857, Isaac became a deacon in the newly-formed, log cabin, Bethlehem Baptist Church at what would later become Manor. He was one of the founding members of the church.

The 1860 U.S. Census shows him living as a farmer in the area (listed as Webberville because there is no Manor yet), along with his wife and 5 children. His land is valued at $1000 and he has a personal estate valued at $2870.

1860 United States Census

On March 2, 1866 he sold his 100 acres in the Oliver Buckman league to George Armstead for the price of $800.  

Travis County Deed Record Q, page 394

The 1870 Census shows him living in Burnet County, and by 1900 he has moved again to Williamson County. 

 

After Martha died on October 8, 1905 at the age of 79, Isaac moved to Ft. Worth, Tx where he lived with his daughter at a hotel of which she was the proprietor. He died February 12, 1909 at the age of 86 in Ft. Worth. Both Isaac and Martha are buried at Hopewell Cemetery, Liberty Hill, Williamson County, Texas.

An inscription on his grave marker reads, "A fond father and friend to all"

PLANE CRASH

I was seven years old when it happened. It was Sunday morning and my family had just left home, most likely going to visit relatives in Austin, as we often did, when we observed a small, yellow plane flying very low over the fields about a half-mile from our house. 

Returning home several hours later, as we neared the place where we had seen the plane, we noticed quite a few people and vehicles  in one of the fields, which, as it turned out, was directly behind, and only a few hundred yards from our house. I walked across our field, climbed through the barbed-wire fence and went over to the spot where, in a large, burned, grassy area I saw only the charred framework of  what had recently been the light plane. 

The Mansfield family lived in the house that still sits at the intersection of Blake Manor Road and Hogeye Road. As I later learned on Monday morning when I got on the school bus, the two Mansfield boys, Lonnie and Charles, who rode the same bus, were the first ones to get to the scene after the plane crashed, but it was too late for them to do anything to help. Apparently the plane had burst into flames immediately upon hitting the power lines and they were not able to get near it when they arrived. 

As you might imagine, the Mansfield boys and I had a story to tell when we arrived at school that morning.