Submitted by Gloria Briley Mayfield, Rusk County TX Coordinator

Our first known ancestor was Berry Adams, who came from Ashley County, Arkansas, in the Beach Creek Section. He settled in Harmony Hill in the early 1850’s with his wife, Emily and their family, consisting of Amanda, John Q., Harriett, Cidney, Willoughby, and B. Berry was a prominent citizen, holding membership in both the Harmony Hill and Camden Masonic lodges. Berry died October 16, 1906, and he and his wife are buried in the Harmony Hill Cemetery. John Q., as his father before him, resided all his days in the Dirgin Community. He and his wife, Mattie, had four children: Marvin, Miller, Ida, and Iva (Matthews). John Q. was a farmer and a landowner, and a prominent citizen of the Dirgin Community. Marvin Adams, son of John Q., was born May 3, 1871, and was raised in the Dirgin Community. He married Mattie Lee Jones, sister of Gil S. Jones, and daughter of George W. and Betty (Hays) Jones. She was the granddaughter of Enoch and Betty (Gilchrist) Hays of old Camden. To their union were born six children: Floyd Rosseau, Loyd, Bernice, Betty Roberts, Velma Parker, and John Quincey. Marvin Adams was a very prosperous and unusual man. In 1913 he moved his family from the Dirgin Community to East Henderson (now known as Old Pine Hill Road). The Adams home was a large, lovely home with many porches and spacious lawns and many decorative outbuildings, nestled among rolling acres of fertile land. The home was filled with luxurious furniture for that time. The stone steps and sidewalks may still be seen on top of the hill of the Old Pine Hill Road. The home was torn away in 1942. In 1920 Marvin Adams owned and operated a general store in Henderson on the square. This continued until illness forced him to discontinue his proprietorship. He died of cancer October 13, 1933. His wife, Mattie, died November 12, 1952. Both are buried in the Harmony Hill Cemetery. Loyd Adams, son of Marvin and Mattie Adams, was born November 21, 1894 in the Dirgin Community. He married Renie Jimmerson in October of 1918. They lived all their lives next door to the Marvin Adams’ home on Old Pine Hill Road in Henderson. A grandson, Wilton Adams, and his wife presently reside there. Loyd was a veteran of World War I. Upon his return from service, he farmed the Adams land until he accepted employment at the City of Henderson Water Department, a job he held for thirteen years, until his death from cancer, May 3, 1942. His wife, Renie, died April 29, 1978. Both are buried in Zion Hill Cemetery. They had one daughter, Mildred Marie Adams. Mildred Marie Adams was born and raised in Henderson and attended school there. After graduation, she was employed by the Texas Department of Public Welfare until her marriage to W. T. Adams, Jr. on January 31, 1946. She and her husband have resided in the Dirgin Community all their married life. To their union were born five children: Cydney W., Loyd Turner, Sharmen, Wilton E., and Sam. Written by Mildred Adams.