Historic Bullock Cemetery
HISTORIC BULLOCK CEMETERY
Washington Curtis Bullock and Caroline Hunsaker Bullock were married in Missouri,
November 28, 1844, and came to Texas in 1855, Mr. Bullock bought 480 acres of land lying
between Denton Creek and Grapevine Branch in the northwest corner of Dallas County
known as Grapevine Prairie. Later known as Gibbs, then Coppell. He built and lived in
the first brick house in Dallas County, with bricks made by hand on his farm from clay
taken from a creek near his home. He built a log cabin school house on his property in
which to educate his ten children, He hired a tutor and extended an invitation to the
neighbors children. Mr. Bullock served as Justice of the Peace for a good many years,
In June 1869, Julia Caroline Bullock, daughter, died and was buried in a beautiful area near
the back of their land - thus the Historic Bullock Cemetery was born.
When Mr. Bullock settled here, in his writings he describes the beauty of this land by saying;
there were twelve different kinds of trees plus numerous flowering shrubs, berries and fruit
trees, There is one native plum tree left standing today.
Mr. Bullock further stated that the land and vicinity was a paradise, That this is a place
where men could own his land and be a part of it; where they could become individuals and
command self respect and dignity. They came bringing their Bibles, families, oxen, plows
and guns,
They came with hope and anticipation and brought with them a spirit of joy, gladness and
happiness supported and prompted by themselves and their beliefs in their God,
There were many Indian raids during this time, One battle at Grapevine Springs was
described. This is the place where Sam Houston camped for three weeks, trying to make
a treaty with the Indians, Mr. Bullock left his 10 year old son, Tom, at home with a shot
gun to guard the house and the women and children, This same ten year old, later in life,
worked with Buffalo Bill to rid this vicinity of Bison,
The Historic Bullock Cemetery association is sharing this history with Boy Scout Groups,
Brownies and school groups who are interested in early Texas History,
Both Washington Curtis and wife, Caroline Bullock are buried here as well as their son
Tom and many of his family, Sarah Susan Bullock was buried in 1887 as was her husband,
Civil War veteran 8,8. Howell. Minnie McGee, first school teacher of Coppell is buried
here. W,H, Bill Kirkland, a great grandson and World War II veteran buried in 1962.
W.T. (Bill) Cosby, a World War II veteran and mayor of the City of Coppell for twelve
years, was a great grandson of Washington and Caroline Bullock and was buried in 1985.
Thus, the graves contain the remains of some of the most historic pioneers in Dallas
County.
Contributed by Mary Evelyn Mobley, great granddaughter of Washington C. Bullock. Some
notes taken from diary of Thomas (Tom) Bullock, son of Washington Bullock,
I, -i i- II j
.