Decatur in Wise County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Randolph (Uncle Ran) Vesey
(1832-1908)
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, August 30, 2026
1. Randolph (Uncle Ran) Vesey Marker
Born a slave near Savannah, GA., Randolph Vesey was body servant to Confederate General William Lewis Cabell during the Civil War. In 1868, while living on the Montague-Wise County line, Vesey was captured by Indians and taken to Kansas. Black scout Brit Johnson ransomed Vesey with horses contributed by friends in Texas. A natural musician, Vesey often played the violin at dances in this area. He married Missouri (Zoe) Light and had two children.
Erected 1979 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4192.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical year for this entry is 1868.
Location. 33° 15.544′ N, 97° 34.474′ W. Marker is in Decatur, Texas, in Wise County. It can be reached from Cemetery Road 0.8 miles north of Old Greenwood Road, on the right when traveling north. Located in Oak Lawn Cemetery; Cemetery Road, North Decatur; enter at main gate, turn left at first paved road; drive past gazebo, marker on left near telephone pole. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 465 Cemetery Rd, Decatur TX
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Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region and in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, and one of the Confederate States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Oak Lawn Cemetery (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Battle of the Knobs (approx. 1.2 miles away); St. John Missionary Baptist Church (approx. 1.3 miles away); East Side Elementary School (approx. 1.4 miles away); Oak Grove United Methodist Church (approx. 1½ miles away); Captain George W. Stevens (approx. 1.8 miles away); Randolph Vesey (approx. 1.8 miles away); Charles Vernon Terrell (approx. 1.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Decatur.
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, August 30, 2026
2. Randolph (Uncle Ran) Vesey marker and grave marker
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, August 30, 2026
3. Randolph (Uncle Ran) Vesey grave marker
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, August 30, 2026
4. Randolph (Uncle Ran) Vesey Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 31, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 30, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 30, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
