James Foreman: SC to AL to TX

I found the following document in the South Western Baptist, related to James Foreman leaving the Mt. Calvary Church in Tallapoosa County, Alabama after preaching there seven years – because he was moving to Texas.[i] After leaving Alabama, presumably sometime in 1855, James Foreman arrived in Rusk County, Texas.

South Western Baptist, Tuskegee, Alabama, Thursday, January 11, 1855, p. 1
Samuel Henderson and J. M. Watt, editors. Volume 6, Number 35

It is my understanding, subject to correction, that James Foreman was the son Benjamin Foreman and Sarah Winborne, and a brother of Mahala Silvester Foreman Harmon and Benjamin Samuel “Ben” Foreman – both of whom are buried in the old Cool Springs Cemetery in Rusk County, Texas.

James Foreman was born in Chester District, South Carolina in 1811. By 1833 he was in Talladega County, Alabama, when he married Sarah D. Row on September 6, 1833. In the 1840 Talladega County census, his middle initial appears as J. In the 1850 Talladega County census his occupation is listed as Missionary Baptist minister. He and Sarah had 9 children: William, Joseph D., Elizabeth, Mahala, Malinda, Elliott, Bowdon, Benjamin, and King Foreman. In 1860 he and Sarah are living in Rusk County, Texas with a New Salem post office (occupation, Missionary Baptist minister). Children listed are: Malinda, Mary, F. B., Benjamin, Jacob C., Martha, John, and C. M. Foreman.[ii] 23-year-old Sarah Powell (apparently a widowed daughter) is also in the household with 2 children, as well as Robert Haynes, a farm laborer.

The Cherokee Baptist Association in 1856 lists James Foreman as pastor of the London Baptist Church in Rusk County.[iii] This church was organized in 1856 and perhaps Foreman was its organizer as well as pastor. At the 5th session of the Judson Baptist Association in August 1856, “J. Forman” is listed as the pastor of Holley Springs Church in Rusk County.[iv] The “Foreman” surname is sometimes spelled “Forman” as well. This pastor probably is James Foreman.

James Foreman was involved in the organization of the Mt. Zion Association of Missionary Baptist Churches in Eastern Texas on October 30 and 31 of 1857.[v] He represented as a delegate from the Cool Spring(s) Church, along with Thomas Lacy and L. Newsome. Foreman served as chairman of the committee for a constitution and on the resolutions committee. He was also elected as a correspondent to the Central Association and to the Baptist Convention of East Texas. He is, of course, listed as an ordained elder, whose post office is New Salem.

The New Salem Baptist Church petitioned for membership in the Mt. Zion Association at its 2nd session in 1858, suggesting the church was probably organized after the October 1857 initial session of the association. Foreman was sent as a delegate to the association from the New Salem Church, and probably was involved in its organization. He was sent as a delegate in 1859 as well.

James J. Foreman apparently died before the 1870, at which time he is not found in the census. In 1870 Sarah was living in Van Zandt County, Texas with her daughter Malinda and son-in-law George W. Davis. In 1880 Sarah is still living with the Davises, now at Goshen in Henderson County. Some family tree resources suggest she died in 1881. These same sources, without documentation, give James’s death as either 1868 or 1869, and either in Rusk, Van Zandt, or Henderson counties. If he died in Rusk County, it seems a good possibility he could be buried at either Cool Springs or New Salem. I am hopeful that I might in the future find a some Baptist Association minutes that will list him in their obituary report – at least giving a better idea of when and where he died.[vi]

---

[i] An obituary of Sarah Elizabeth Miller Hood records her baptism in 1847 in Alabama by James Foreman. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/57053358/sarah-elizabeth-hood | https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~lewgriffin/family/g0/p705.htm
[ii] Elliott and Mary are one person, Mary Elliott Foreman. F. B. corresponds with Bowdon (F. Bowdon Foreman), and Jacob C. corresponds with King (Jacob King Foreman). By 1860 the Foremans had 12 children: William, Joseph D., Sarah Elizabeth, Mahala S., Malinda, Mary Elliott, F. Bowdon, Jesse Benjamin, Jacob King, Martha, John, and C. M.
[iii] Cherokee Baptist Association minutes, 1856.
[iv] Judson Baptist Association minutes, 1856.
[v] Mt. Zion Baptist Association minutes, 1857. Cool Springs had been in the Judson Association in 1856.
[vi] Some people claim James and Sarah Foreman are buried in this cemetery. However, I am somewhat skeptical but hopeful his holds promise for better future confirmation. Concerning the cemetery itself, Holli Kees and Kristi Willard provide this information: “Located on the John D. Chappell farm in the Pauline Community, just north of Hwy 175 West about mid way between Eustace and Mabank behind the Holstein Dairy. From the intersection of FM 316 South and Highway 175 in Eustace at the red light, go 4.4 miles west towards Mabank on Highway 175. At the Dairy (John Chappell Farm) turn right. Follow road beside house, but between cattle pens. Cross several cattleguards and pass two stock tanks. Cemetery is 7/10 mile from Highway 175 and is located on the right side of road before large stock tank. Graveyard is surround by numerous trees and cannot be seen from the road. Must get landowner’s permission to enter property. Abandoned many years, this cemetery contains many graves marked only by native rocks and illegible sandstone markers. Evidence of about 30 to 40 graves marked by the stones.”