Doaksville Cemetery

Doaksville Cemetery. Memory of Dorothy J. Orton, June 1968. , Established in the early 1800's, and in continuous use, its name was taken from the now vanished town of the same name, just East of these grounds. , Marble Tombstones, brought by steamboat from New Orleans, show the high regard frontier residents held for their leaders, among these are, Colonel David Folsom, first elected Chief of the Choctaw Nation, and a leader during the removal of the Indians from Mississippi to the Indian Territory, Colonel J.H. Nail is buried next to Colonel Folsom and he to, led parties of Indians to their new territorial homes. Nearby these frontiersmen the laconic inscription on this one marker simply reads, Tryphena's Grave and the inscription is appealing because of what is not said. Tryphena Wall Stewart was a remarkable, well educated, and beautiful Choctaw girl, was called a Missionary to her own people, and became a legend in her own time. She died at the age of 25 in 1849. Britt Willis, reputed to have been the owner of the slaves, Aunt Minerva and Uncle Wallace, lies in the serenity of these grounds. It was near here where these two pioneers hummed the music and composed the words of well known spirituals, "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," "Steal Away to Jesus" and "Roll, Jordan, Roll." Many other graves pre-date the War Between the States. Since 1962, the Fort Towson Cemetery Association has maintained these grounds by voluntary contributions and fundraising projects. Donated by Don Robinson and Family.