Ellis Springs
Ellis Springs is a historical rural community located in the
tri-county area where Walker, Houston, and Trinity counties meet in
East Texas, with some sources specifically attributing it to Walker
County as a birthplace for residents in the early 20th century.
The area features Ellis Spring Road (sometimes spelled Ellis Springs
Road), which appears on maps in Walker County Precinct 3 and extends
into nearby counties, serving as a key identifier for the locality. It
is a sparsely documented agricultural settlement, likely dating back
to the mid-19th century based on associated cemetery records, with
families migrating from states like North Carolina, Florida, and
Alabama. The community is tied to the Ellis Springs Cemetery, situated
about 5
miles east of Weldon in Houston County, which serves as a primary
historical remnant. The cemetery occupies a large plot with scattered
headstones and numerous unmarked graves, indicating earlier burials.
The earliest marked grave is that of Isiah Vick (1785–1873), a settler
from North Carolina who arrived in Texas in 1841. Other notable
burials include George W. Smith (1820–1868) and Nancy
Little (1826–1906), first cousins who migrated from Florida in 1860;
the Shaw family, including John R. Shaw (1853–1931) and Ella L. Shaw
(1858–1925); J.C. Conley (1852–1915) and Mrs. N.O. Conley (1858–1930);
and various Huffman and Chadwick family members from the early to
mid-20th century. Family plots, such as the Shaw family enclosure, and
unmarked infant graves highlight the site's role in local pioneer
history. Genealogical records and obituaries link the area to families
like the
Carrolls, Shaws, Odoms, and Johnsons, with residents involved in
farming and local trades. For instance, James Barnie Carroll was
born in Ellis Springs, Walker
County, in 1923, to J.B. Carroll Sr. and Lucy Johnson Carroll, and
later worked as a welder before retiring. The community appears
in county records, such as Walker County
commissioner minutes referencing towing services to Ellis Springs and
infrastructure like barns in the area. No Texas Historical
Commission marker is documented for Ellis Springs in Walker County,
unlike nearby historical sites. Today, the region remains rural, with
limited modern development, and the cemetery continues to reflect its
pioneer roots.
Isaiah Vick (also spelled Isiah) was born on November 13, 1785, in
North Carolina. He migrated to Texas in 1841 and died on March 13,
1873. He is buried in Ellis Springs Cemetery in Houston County, Texas,
near Weldon. No additional biographical details, such as family
relations or occupations, are available from the sources.
George W. Smith was born in 1820 and died in 1868. He was the son of
David Smith and Margaret Little Smith. He migrated to Texas from
Gadsden County, Florida, around 1860. He is buried in Ellis Springs
Cemetery, sharing a double stone marker.
Nancy Little was born in 1826 and died in 1906. She was the daughter of
George Little and Martha Womack Little. A note on her marker indicates
that she and another individual (likely a relative buried nearby) were
first cousins, with their parents being siblings. She is buried in
Ellis Springs Cemetery.
John R. Shaw was born on November 7, 1854 (some sources list September
3, 1853), and died on July 19, 1925 (some sources list July 15, 1931).
He is noted as "Father" on his marker and is buried in the Shaw family
plot in Ellis Springs Cemetery.
Ella L. Shaw was born on June 10, 1858, and died on September 10, 1925.
She is noted as "Mother" on her marker and is buried in the Shaw family
plot in Ellis Springs Cemetery, alongside John R. Shaw.
J.C. Conley (full name John C. Conley) was born on June 25, 1852, and
died on November 12, 1915. He is buried in Ellis Springs Cemetery.
Mrs. N.O. Conley was born on November 4, 1858, and died on June 9,
1930. She was the wife of J.C. Conley and is buried in Ellis Springs
Cemetery.
No direct associations or burial records for members of the Odom family
were found in Ellis Springs, Houston County, Texas. Searches yielded
Odom family members in nearby regions, such as Reagor Springs in Ellis
County, Texas (e.g., an unnamed Odom infant born and died in 1890,
daughter of Alfred Alexander Odom and Alzada Elizabeth Cooper; Ila Pina
Odom, born 1886 in Ellis County, died 1887; James William Odom, born
1896 in Reagor Springs, died 1954). These may indicate a possible
confusion with Ellis County locations, but no confirmed ties to Ellis
Springs exist in the sources.
No direct associations or burial records for members of the Johnson
family were found in Ellis Springs, Houston County, Texas. Broader
searches mentioned Johnson families in Ellis County or other parts of
Texas, but none specifically linked to Ellis Springs.
Several Huffman family members are buried in Ellis Springs Cemetery,
with their graves noted as unfenced in some transcriptions. Known
individuals include:Annie Huffman: Born May 21, 1882; died January 7,
1954; daughter of J.R. Shaw and Ella Shaw. Lewis W. Huffman (also
Lewis Washington Huffman): Born March 14, 1875; died January 29, 1954;
husband of Annie Huffman. Elia Luvenia Huffman: Born June 6, 1908; died
October 10, 1989. "Daddy" Huffman: Born 1909; death date
unknown. Infants Huffman: 5 or 6 unmarked graves, likely children
of the family.
Chadwick family members are buried in Ellis Springs Cemetery, with
their graves noted as unfenced in some transcriptions. Known
individuals include:Evelyn Chadwick: Born 1911; died 1973; daughter of
L.W. Huffman and Annie Huffman.
Harold Chadwick: Born 1905; died 1963; husband of Evelyn Chadwick.
