Information provided by Frances James and photos by Dan Fauver

A little family history

Wesley Cockrell (1812-1885) was born in Kentucky and married Sara (Sallie) Wilson Cockrell. They came to Texas prior to 1848 and brought three children with them who had been born while they lived in Missouri. They eventually had six more children in Texas. Wesley and Sarah are both buried here at the Wesley Cockrell Cemetery. There is no stone for Wesley but there is one for Sallie.

Sallie Cockrell's stone reads: "Sallie Wife of W. Cockrell born (?) 13, 1816 or 1810 Died March 14, 1875."

Pallina (also spelled Plina or Paulina)(1838-1881) Cockrell was the first daughter of Wesley and Sarah. She was a little girl when they came to Texas with her family. She married D.A. Lacy in 1856, they had nine children. He was  engaged in hauling goods from Houston to Dallas and Shreveport to Dallas.  D. A. (1830-was twenty years old when he and his family arrived in Dallas after a long journey from Tennessee. His father, Philemon, preempted 320 acres in the Eagle Ford Community where he died at age 92 in 1871. This property was close to the land owned by Wesley Cockrell.  Stone reads: " Pelina Wife of D. A. Lacey born April 30, 1838 Died March 1881."

Morgan Cockrell (1840-1869) was the first son of Wesley and Sarah.

His headstone reads"Sacred to the Memory of Morgan Cockrell was born May 10th, 1840 in Cass Co., Missouri and departed this life December 22nd 1869 in Tarrant Co., Texas (AJC)"  During the Civil War, Morgan had enlisted. He was taken prisoner and held for several months. After being release, Morgan returned home, sick and weakened. He told of being fed bread and water that was pushed through the bars of the prison. He married Berilla Phillips in 1866 but died shortly after returning home.

William Cockrell (1846-1867) was born in Texas and died in Freestone County, Texas. His headstone reads: "Memory of William Cockrell. Born March the 6th , 1816 in Dallas County, TX and Departed this life July the 22nd, 1867 in Freestone Co., Tex. Remember man you pass by twas once as you are, but now as I am, you must be."

Susan Cockrell (1855-1879 was born in Texas. Listed on the 1860 census as one of Wesley and Sallie's daughters. Her stone reads: " Susan Dau. of W. & Sarah Cockrell Born May 11, 1855, Died Aug. 20, 1879.

Other markers are for "True Son of  E. and M. J. Cockrell Born Sept. 29, 1887, Died June 8 1888, How many fond hopes lie buried here." This marker has a lamb on the top.

"Sacred to the Memory of Martha Cockrell who was born June 6th, 1818 in Dallas Co., Texas and Departed this life March 11th, 1830 (AJC)" Marth Cockrell's dates are questionable but if correct would have been a contemporary of Wesley and not a child. Dates are difficult to read. If they were 1846-1850 this stone may have been for the daughter who died as a child. No other information has been found, but there was no Cockrell Family in Dallas between 1816 and 1830.

Nancy Cockrell (1858-) listed on the 1860 census as one of Wesley and Sallie's daughters. She married T. A. Gray. These is one broken stone with the dates 1858-1877. One family history says she died young. This could have been her stone.

Lee Cockrell (1863-1951) is shown on the 1870 Census as being a son of Wesley and Sallie. He married Sidney Beatrice Merrifield (1872-1953). They are buried at five Mile Cemetery along with four of their five children. The Merrifield family owned many acres in what is now Oak Cliff.